title: Gabapentinoid abuse in order to potentiate the effect of methadone: a survey among substance misusers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is emerging evidence of gabapentin and pregabalin (gabapentinoid) abuse, particularly in the substance misuse population, and some suggestion of gabapentinoids being abused alongside methadone.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire-based survey was carried out in six substance misuse clinics, looking for evidence of gabapentinoid abuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  22% (29/129) of respondents admitted to abusing gabapentinoids, and of these, 38% (11/29) abused gabapentinoids in order to potentiate the 'high' they obtained from methadone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gabapentinoid abuse along with methadone has not previously been described. These findings are of relevance to clinicians working within both substance misuse services and chronic pain services.
authors.affiliation: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Colin R W
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Lesley A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Colvin
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003625:Data Collection; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D000069583:Pregabalin; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D008691:Methadone