Gabapentin was originally intended to treat epilepsy, but the current primary usage is for neuropathic pain, which is caused by diseases that affect the somatosensory system. However, in a recent study it has shown to be effective at treating patients with alcohol dependence. The researchers have found that gabapentin seems to be useful in boosting a patient’s mood and improving sleep, which other drugs used in the treatment of alcoholism do not. Compared to FDA approved medications in this category, gabapentin seems to be at least as effective if not more effective in treatment. The researchers also believe that gabapentin will be a more ‘attractive’ alternative to the main three medications currently in use for treating alcohol dependence.
In this study, patients received 900 or 1,800 mg of gabapentin or placebo over a 12-week period. Results showed that the high-dose group refrained from heavy drinking twice as frequently as the placebo group (45% vs. 23%), and complete abstinence occurred in 17% of the high-dose group and 4% of the placebo group.