Phenibut Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment Options
Phenibut, a chemically similar drug to the neurotransmitter GABA, is a unique case. This GABA agonist is used in Russia, and while it’s legal in the United States, it is not a regulated or controlled substance. Americans can purchase phenibut online as a supplement for anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, although marketing phenibut for this purpose is banned by the FDA.
Taking phenibut helps you feel relaxed and happy, but only when taken as directed. When you take small doses, you’ll feel a sense of calm, but at higher doses, you risk blurred thinking and poor motor coordination. The danger with this medication is that people are using it to self-medicate without the guidance of a physician.
Since phenibut is similar to benzos, your brain can become dependent over time. There is evidence phenibut can cause addiction, many times unintentionally. As your tolerance increases, you may find yourself taking more and more to experience the same effect. Once physical dependence develops, phenibut withdrawal symptoms will surface following the cessation period.
If you or a loved one is struggling with Phenibut addiction or withdrawal, you are not alone. Contact Zinnia Healing today at (855) 430-9439.
What Are the Symptoms of Phenibut Withdrawal?
If you develop a physical dependence on phenibut, withdrawal symptoms are often more severe than expected. Physical and psychological symptoms are common, especially among those who take high doses to address an underlying anxiety condition.
Since Phenibut is unregulated, there are growing concerns surrounding its effects. According to the CDC, phenibut use and misuse can lead to sedation, reduced levels of consciousness, respiratory depression, and significant withdrawal symptoms. These Phenibut withdrawal symptoms include increased anxiety levels, acute psychosis, and agitation.
Exposure to phenibut has increased in the United States in recent years. From 2009 to 2019, United States poison centers reported calls for 1,320 phenibut exposures, with 85% of calls coming from health care facilities.
Phenibut withdrawal can mimic benzodiazepine withdrawal.
The abrupt discontinuation of phenibut may result in the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Cognitive deficit
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Palpitations
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Decreased appetite
If psychotic symptoms develop, users may experience auditory and visual hallucinations, disorganization, and delusions.
The severity and duration of these symptoms will depend on several factors, including:
- How long you have been taking Phenibut – Phenibut withdrawal symptoms are often more severe the longer you have been taking this substance. Over time, desensitization of receptors and neurotransmitters occurs. After prolonged use, the greater the adjustments to your neurophysiology. You can expect fewer, milder Phenibut withdrawal symptoms if you’re a short-term user.
- Dose – The lower your dose, the lower the risk of developing significant long-lasting effects. Phenibut withdrawal symptoms can be more severe and even dangerous at higher doses.
- Individual circumstances – The Phenibut withdrawal symptom process will vary from one individual to the next. Sleep quality, genetics, and your ability to handle stress all play a role.
Several case studies have been published, showcasing how phenibut affects different users during the withdrawal period.
One case study focused on a 23-year old male with a history of illicit substance use. He came to the emergency room with complaints of feeling “his brain cells disappearing” and abdominal pain because of “feeling his bladder disappear.” This instance was the fourth time he had visited the ER for various complaints. He took high doses of phenibut, consuming four to five grams per day. He would also drink alcohol.
He tried to stop using phenibut, only to experience severe withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms included anxiety, cold sweats, difficulty sleeping, visual and auditory hallucinations. The patient had a history of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The man was admitted to the hospital’s behavioral health unit, where he completed medically-assisted detox.
This comprehensive review highlights twenty-two cases of phenibut withdrawal. Each subject was unique concerning the associated phenibut withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, individuals experienced psychosis, whereas others experienced irritability, insomnia, confusion, and other symptoms, without experiencing any hallucinations or delusions. These differences are because of individual factors and the effects of varying drug combinations. For example, they were combining phenibut and kratom or phenibut and alcohol.
When reviewing individual cases, it’s clear that one of the greatest differences from one individual to the next is dosing. The amount of phenibut you use will often determine the duration of your treatment plan, particularly concerning tapering.
Some patients complete a successful tapering plan in under two weeks, whereas others complete a 20+ weeks tapering plan.
What Causes Phenibut Withdrawal?
The amount of phenibut you take and for how long will influence whether or not withdrawal symptoms develop. For example, when phenibut is taken at low doses, users can experience enhanced cognition without motor impairments. Once taken in higher doses, you can experience tranquilizing effects, suppressing motor activity, and when taken chronically, psychosis and physical dependence develop. However, research shows that physiologic phenibut dependence can occur within several days.
If you take phenibut for extended periods, you can develop a tolerance. To achieve the same effect, you may increase your dose, resulting in physical dependence. When you abruptly stop using phenibut, this can result in severe symptoms, sometimes resulting in hospitalization. These effects develop because phenibut downregulates GABA receptors, and when you no longer take this substance, you experience a state of imbalance.
Since Phenibut is a central nervous system depressant, combining this drug with other substances can complicate the phenibut withdrawal process.
How Long Does Phenibut Withdrawal Take?
When you first take phenibut, it is rapidly distributed to your kidneys, brain, liver, and urine. Its elimination half-life is 5.3 hours, which means it takes 5.3 hours for phenibut’s active substance to reduce by half. The withdrawal process is slightly more complex and depends on how the body processes and eliminates the drug, based on several factors. This process can take hours to days, or sometimes weeks for some.
Among chronic users, phenibut withdrawal symptoms typically appear anywhere from several hours to several days after their last dose. Since phenibut is not regulated or widely distributed in the United States, more research is required to understand the duration of phenibut withdrawal better. Phenibut is not well understood by researchers and physicians in the United States, and complications from this drug are not easily recognized in clinical settings.
Although this process is highly individualized, you may begin to experience phenibut withdrawal symptoms in as little as three to four hours after your last dose. Acute phenibut withdrawal symptoms often last for several days, followed by a period of protracted withdrawal.
The physical symptoms are distressing, but the psychological implications cause people to seek medical attention, especially when psychosis develops.
How to Safely Manage A Phenibut Detox
Combining phenibut with other substances is common, especially alcohol, opiates, and benzodiazepines. Cross tolerance with other substances is what makes phenibut withdrawal treatment so complex. Researchers are not yet sure if alcohol exacerbates phenibut use or vice versa.
However, these two substances share similar pathways. Once dependence on both substances develops, the withdrawal process can be dangerous, particularly among those with a history of severe mental illness or seizures.
To safely complete the phenibut withdrawal process, it’s recommended you seek professional assistance. Being a highly individualized process, you will benefit from an initial assessment. An expert team will identify your needs and goals, creating a custom withdrawal plan that ensures the highest levels of safety and comfort.
For example, suppose you have been taking phenibut, Valium, and have a history of anxiety. In that case, your detox plan will differ from someone dependent on phenibut and alcohol with a history of depression.
This initial assessment will act as a baseline for the rest of your recovery process. After all, the detoxification period is only the first step. If you have a co-occurring disorder, many treatment options will help you develop more optimal coping mechanisms that support your ongoing physical and mental health.
Once you have physically eliminated phenibut from your system, you must begin treating co-occurring mental health disorders. Since many individuals begin taking phenibut to help combat symptoms of anxiety and depression, a co-occurring disorder is a high possibility in those who abuse the drug.
In this case, your mental health will need to be treated, as it will likely contribute to phenibut abuse or the continuation of substances you use to self-medicate.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
If you have tried to stop taking phenibut but have been unsuccessful because of the symptoms you experience, know that there is help. Professional substance abuse and mental health facilities have the team and resources needed to help you successfully complete the phenibut withdrawal process safely and comfortably.
The goal is to find a facility that offers a holistic approach to care, treating you as a whole. As discussed, phenibut use is often just part of a bigger picture, often involving an underlying mental health disorder. An expert team will help you develop a treatment plan that leverages evidence-based treatment options, ranging from cognitive-behavioral therapy to meditation practices.
Just as each individual is unique concerning substance use and misuse, the same applies to each individual’s course of treatment. What works best for you will not be a one-size-fits-all treatment program. Seek a facility that understands the importance of customized care, focusing on your mental health history, physical health, current dependence, and individual goals.
Whether you have been combining phenibut with other substances or have a history of poor mental health, you must seek the support you need to begin the healing process. When you are supported by a multidisciplinary that helps you each step of the way, you will significantly increase your chances of success.
If you or a loved one is struggling with Phenibut addiction or withdrawal, help is available. Call Zinnia Health today at (855) 430-9439 to speak with one of our caring admissions representatives.
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