Is Baclofen Addictive?

Riverside Recovery Editorial Team
Updated on : August 25, 2026

Dr. Michael Sore, M.D., medical reviewer

Medically Reviewed by:

Baclofen is a prescription muscle relaxant that carries no DEA schedule, yet the FDA label warns that stopping it abruptly produces hallucinations, seizures, high fever and rebound spasticity.

Baclofen treats muscle stiffness and spasms in people living with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy. Baclofen does not appear on the DEA’s controlled substances schedule. That status sits awkwardly beside the label warning, and it is the gap where misuse takes hold.

The sections below cover what baclofen is, how it acts on the nervous system, and how tolerance and dependence form. Later sections cover what misuse produces, and why coming off baclofen needs a supervised taper rather than stopping cold turkey.

Key Takeaways

Baclofen is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance, and the FDA prescribing label still carries an abrupt-withdrawal warning covering hallucinations, seizures and high fever.
Oral baclofen and intrathecal baclofen carry different withdrawal risks. Intrathecal baclofen withdrawal syndrome is a documented medical emergency that has produced end-organ failure and death.
DSM-5-TR classifies substance use disorder against 11 criteria, with severity graded mild at two to three criteria, moderate at four to five, and severe at six or more.
Baclofen dependence is treated with a gradual medically supervised taper, because sudden discontinuation carries documented seizure risk.
Baclofen is prescribed off-label for alcohol use disorder, and France remains the only country to approve it for that indication.

What is Baclofen?

Baclofen is a prescription muscle relaxant that treats spasticity from multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy by activating GABA-B receptors in the central nervous system.

Baclofen belongs to a group of medications known as muscle relaxants, or muscle relaxers, which work by blocking nerve signals in the spinal cord that cause muscle contractions.

Baclofen works by increasing the levels of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that inhibits the activity of nerve cells, in the brain. That inhibition reduces muscle activity and promotes relaxation. Baclofen treats muscle-related conditions effectively, and it also carries a potential for dependence and misuse.

How Does Intrathecal Baclofen Differ From Oral Baclofen?

Oral baclofen is swallowed as a tablet, while intrathecal baclofen is delivered directly into the spinal fluid by an implanted pump, and the two routes carry different withdrawal risks.

Oral baclofen is the common form, prescribed as tablets and taken in divided doses through the day. Intrathecal baclofen therapy delivers a far smaller dose straight to the spinal cord through a surgically implanted pump, reserved for severe spasticity that oral dosing cannot control.

Intrathecal baclofen withdrawal syndrome is a rare but life-threatening complication. The syndrome follows abrupt interruption of the infusion, most commonly through pump malfunction, catheter migration, error during refilling, or removal of the pump after infection. Symptoms appear within hours and up to 48 hours after interruption. Early signs include the return of baseline spasticity, fever, itching and pins-and-needles sensations. Progression produces dystonia, autonomic dysfunction, hyperthermia reaching 42 degrees Celsius, hallucinations, delirium, seizures and muscle rigidity, and published cases have advanced to rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure, multisystem organ failure and death. Untreated, that progression runs its course in one to three days.

Anyone with a baclofen pump who develops sudden fever, worsening stiffness or confusion needs emergency assessment. Treatment involves intensive care support, high-dose benzodiazepines and restoration of intrathecal baclofen delivery.

How Does Baclofen Work?

Baclofen suppresses the nerve signals that drive muscle contraction, and clinicians also prescribe it off-label to reduce alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Baclofen acts on the central nervous system to inhibit the transmission of nerve signals, specifically those that cause muscles to contract. Baclofen does this by activating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, which calms and relaxes overactive muscles. By reducing muscle spasms and stiffness, baclofen improves mobility and functionality for individuals with these conditions. Baclofen requires the guidance and supervision of a medical professional, because its effectiveness and dosage vary with the individual’s specific medical condition and needs.

Beyond its approved indications, clinicians prescribe baclofen off-label for the management of substance use disorders. Research shows that baclofen reduces alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms, which makes it a treatment option for alcohol use disorder.

The interest in baclofen for alcohol use disorder traces to Olivier Ameisen, a French-American cardiologist. Ameisen published a self-case report in Alcohol and Alcoholism in 2005 describing his own high-dose baclofen regimen and the suppression of his alcohol dependence symptoms. Ameisen’s account drove two decades of clinical trials. France granted marketing authorization in October 2018, capped at 80 mg per day and indicated for reducing drinking after other approved drugs have failed. France remains the only country to approve baclofen for alcohol use disorder. Researchers have also studied baclofen for managing opioid, cocaine and tobacco dependence, and that evidence base remains thinner.

What Are the Risks of Taking Baclofen?

Baclofen carries no DEA schedule, yet repeated misuse produces tolerance and physical dependence, and the FDA label warns that abrupt discontinuation produces hallucinations, seizures, high fever and rebound spasticity.

Baclofen acts on the central nervous system by enhancing the effects of GABA to reduce severe muscle pain. In larger doses or when misused, baclofen produces substance use disorder.

Like other skeletal muscle relaxants, baclofen produces severe side effects such as muscle weakness, slow heart rate and shallow breathing. The side effects intensify when the drug is combined with other substances, particularly opioids or alcohol. Abrupt discontinuation of baclofen produces withdrawal symptoms including muscle spasms, upset stomach and seizures.

Consult a medical professional before starting or stopping baclofen to manage the medication properly and reduce the risk of addiction or withdrawal. Treatment options, including behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment, help people struggling with baclofen misuse or addiction.

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How Does Baclofen Dependence Develop?

Tolerance to baclofen develops when the body adapts to a steady dose, and dependence follows when stopping the drug produces withdrawal rather than relief.

Diagram of how baclofen dependence develops: tolerance, dependence, DSM-5-TR severity grading and supervised taper

Baclofen carries a potential for misuse through its effects on the central nervous system. In larger doses or when misused, baclofen produces tolerance and dependence. Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to the drug and requires higher doses to achieve the same effects. Dependence refers to the physical reliance on the drug to function normally, the state people describe as feeling hooked.

Clinicians assess this against DSM-5-TR criteria for substance use disorder. DSM-5-TR lists 11 criteria covering impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological indicators including tolerance and withdrawal. The number of criteria a person meets grades severity: two to three indicates mild substance use disorder, four to five indicates moderate, and six or more indicates severe.

DSM-5-TR substance use disorder severity chart: two to three criteria mild, four to five moderate, six or more severe, out of 11 total

Abrupt discontinuation of baclofen produces withdrawal symptoms, which include muscle spasms, upset stomach and seizures. The withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable and they fuel the dependence cycle, because individuals continue using the drug to avoid them.

The FDA has not approved baclofen for the treatment of addiction. Research suggests baclofen holds potential as an alternative treatment in substance use disorder, and further studies are needed to establish its effectiveness and safety in that context.

Seek professional treatment from a medical professional or an addiction treatment center where you or someone you know is struggling with baclofen dependence. Treatment providers offer guidance and support throughout recovery, including evidence-based treatments such as behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment.

What Are the Side Effects of Baclofen Misuse?

Baclofen misuse produces sedation, muscle weakness, slowed heart rate and shallow breathing, and those effects intensify when the drug is combined with alcohol or opioids.

Baclofen treats muscle spasms and neurological disorders effectively, and its misuse produces adverse effects. Taken recreationally or in higher doses than prescribed, baclofen produces the side effects below, and they are especially dangerous when combined with other substances.

There are 7 side effects of baclofen misuse:

Sedation and drowsiness: Baclofen is a central nervous system depressant. Taken in excessive amounts or combined with other substances, it produces extreme drowsiness and sedation.
Impaired coordination: Baclofen misuse produces impaired coordination and difficulty with motor skills. That makes activities such as driving dangerous and raises the risk of accidents.
Confusion and disorientation: Misusing baclofen produces confusion, disorientation and cognitive impairment. Individuals have difficulty thinking clearly, making decisions or recalling information.
Respiratory depression: Baclofen misuse produces respiratory depression, characterized by slow or shallow breathing. That is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Nausea and vomiting: Baclofen misuse produces gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
Withdrawal symptoms: A person dependent on baclofen who suddenly stops or reduces their use experiences withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, tremors and seizures.
Overdose: Taking large amounts of baclofen produces an overdose, which is life-threatening. Symptoms of a baclofen overdose include extreme sedation, respiratory depression, seizures and loss of consciousness.

Recognizing the signs of baclofen misuse allows you to seek help and prevent further harm. Reach out to a healthcare professional or addiction specialist where you or someone you know is misusing baclofen.

How Is Baclofen Dependence Treated?

Baclofen dependence is treated with a medically supervised taper rather than abrupt cessation, because sudden withdrawal carries documented seizure risk.

Medical detoxification is the starting point, particularly for severe dependence. Under medical supervision, the baclofen dose is reduced in steps, which manages the withdrawal symptoms that arise on stopping or reducing the drug. The FDA label instructs prescribers to reduce the dose slowly rather than stop it outright, for exactly this reason.

Inpatient rehabilitation follows detox for patients who need structured support. Residential treatment provides individual and group therapy, psychoeducation and daily clinical programming, addressing the physical dependence and the behaviors that sustain it.

Baclofen dependence treatment programs at Riverside Recovery of Tampa: medical detox, residential treatment, PHP and IOP, and admissions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is baclofen a controlled substance?

Baclofen is not a controlled substance. Baclofen carries no DEA schedule, which means it is not regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. That status does not make it safe to start or stop without medical guidance, because the FDA label still warns of a serious abrupt-withdrawal syndrome.

What happens if you stop taking baclofen suddenly?

Stopping baclofen suddenly produces hallucinations, seizures, high fever, altered mental status and rebound spasticity worse than the original symptoms. The FDA prescribing information instructs that the dose be reduced slowly rather than discontinued abruptly.

How long does baclofen withdrawal last?

Withdrawal duration depends on dose, how long the drug was taken and the route of administration, so a prescriber sets the schedule rather than a fixed timeline. A supervised taper reduces the dose in steps over weeks rather than days.

Can you get high on baclofen?

Taken above prescribed doses, baclofen produces sedation, drowsiness and disinhibition, which is the effect people misusing it are seeking. The same doses produce respiratory depression and overdose risk, particularly when baclofen is combined with alcohol or opioids.