Specialist Inpatient Detoxification from Gabapentinoids: Clinical and Demographic Characteristics and Predictors of Outcome

Gabapentinoids are increasingly implicated in drug-related deaths, and little is known about the harms of dependence or detoxification outcomes. Abrupt cessation is associated with adverse events, such as seizures, yet no standardized withdrawal scales or treatment regimens exist. This study describes the clinical and demographic characteristics of people undergoing specialist inpatient gabapentinoid detoxification in a large, regional unit in Manchester, United Kingdom, and explores predictors of treatment outcome. The sample included all patients (n = 38) admitted for gabapentinoid detoxification between years 2017–2022. Clinical data were analyzed using a retrospective observational cohort design to explore associations between baseline characteristics and outcomes. We hypothesized that people undergoing multiple detoxifications and/or detoxification for illicit gabapentinoid use would be more likely to have negative outcomes. This is the largest cohort undergoing inpatient detoxification from gabapentinoids studied till date. The majority were male, White British, unemployed, straight, with a mean age of 38.9 (SD = 8.9), and required detoxification from multiple substances (n = 35). The majority completed detoxification successfully. Relapse (p < .001), complications (p = .001), personality disorders (p = .034), a concurrent benzodiazepine (p = .011) or opioid detoxification (p = .025) were significantly associated with an incomplete detoxification. Illicit use of pregabalin, and multiple concurrent detoxifications were not related to outcomes. Further research is needed to optimize treatment.