Complete and prolonged suppression of symptoms and consequences of alcohol-dependence using high-dose baclofen: a self-case report of a physician.

Abstract

AIMS:

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.

• Authors: Olivier Ameisen
• Journal: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire) (Alcohol Alcohol) 2005 Mar-Apr Vol. 40 Issue 2 Pg. 147-50 ISSN: 0735-0414 [Print] England
• PMID: 15596425 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Baclofen

Topics

• Alcoholism (drug therapy, prevention & control, psychology)
• Anxiety Disorders (drug therapy, prevention & control, psychology)
• Baclofen (administration & dosage)
• Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Physician Impairment (psychology)
• Self Care (methods)
• Self Disclosure