Complete and prolonged suppression of symptoms and consequences of alcohol-dependence using high-dose baclofen: a self-case report of a physician.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether the dose-dependent motivation-suppressing effect of baclofen in animals could be transposed to humans, and suppress craving and sustain abstinence.


METHODS
Neurologists safely use up to 300 mg/day (10 times the dosage currently used for alcohol dependence) of high-dose oral baclofen, to control spasticity, in order to avoid invasive therapy. I am a physician with alcohol dependence and comorbid anxiety. I self-prescribed high-dose baclofen, starting at 30 mg/day, with 20 mg increments every third day and an (optional) additional 20-40 mg/day for cravings.


RESULTS
Cravings became easier to combat. After reaching the craving-suppression dose of 270 mg/day (3.6 mg/kg) after 5 weeks, I became and have remained free of alcohol dependence symptoms effortlessly for the ninth consecutive month. Anxiety is well controlled. Somnolence disappeared with a dosage reduction to 120 mg/day, now used for the eighth consecutive month.


CONCLUSIONS
High-dose baclofen induced complete and prolonged suppression of symptoms and consequences of alcohol dependence, and relieved anxiety. This model, integrating cure and well-being, should be tested in randomized trials, under medical surveillance. It offers a new concept: medication-induced, dose-dependent, complete and prolonged suppression of substance-dependence symptoms with alleviation of comorbid anxiety.
Ameisen
Olivier
O
oameisen@noos.fr
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010815:Physician Impairment / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D012650:Self Disclosure
D001418:Baclofen