Phenibut Addiction: Side Effects, Detox, Withdrawal, and Treatment

What is Phenibut?

Phenibut is a synthetic Russian anti-anxiety drug that was developed in the 1960s. It is used to treat symptoms of anxiety and insomnia in Russia but is not approved for medical use in the United States. In America, it is available as a supplement and can be easily purchased online in powder or capsule form. It is not classified as a controlled substance by the DEA and is regulated differently than prescription drugs.

Phenibut is a depressant and the synthetic form of GABA (or gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is a neurotransmitter that is found in the brain. It has been labeled as a nootropic and a “smart drug” because it induces feelings of calmness and focus without the negative side effects of other drugs like caffeine or alcohol. It can increase sociability and may also produce feelings of euphoria when taken in large doses.

People in the U.S. may use phenibut supplements to reduce feelings of anxiety and nervousness in social situations and have more control over their thoughts. Some may also use it to self-medicate if they are suffering from symptoms of drug withdrawal or high levels of social anxiety. It is often also marketed online as a mood enhancer, sleep aid, and exercise recovery booster.

Recreational use of phenibut is often considered safe by many people in the U.S. simply because it is marketed online as such. As a smart drug, phenibut is often touted as a substance that enhances memory and learning ability, helps the brain function under difficult conditions, increases the neuron activity, and has very few side effects. This marketing is very misleading because the misuse of phenibut can cause physical dependence, addiction, and negative side effects.

In Russia, phenibut is sold under the following brand names:

• Anvifen
• Fenibut
• Noofen

Is Phenibut Addictive?

When phenibut is used in high doses it may increase dopamine levels in the brain, which can contribute to compulsive use and addiction. With chronic use over time, phenibut users may feel unable to interact socially or perform mentally without it, leading to more misuse and psychological addiction.

How Common Is Phenibut Addiction and Abuse?

According to the FDA, there are between 50,000 and 80,000 different supplement products that claim to improve or maintain your health. Popular ones like kratom get a lot of news coverage but phenibut is also one of them. Tolerance and dependence can both occur within just weeks of using phenibut for various reasons and long-term use of this drug has negative side effects.

Phenibut is most popular with the younger population of drug users, and although it is marketed as a safe supplement, misuse of phenibut is dangerous and can cause problematic behavioral patterns, psychological damage, and harmful physical side effects such as an increased risk of fatty liver disease, overdose, and serious withdrawal symptoms.

What Are the Side Effects of Phenibut Abuse?

General side effects of phenibut use may include nausea, anxiety, headaches, dizziness, and overall sedation. However, taking high doses of phenibut or misusing it can cause other negative side effects, such as:

• Loss of balance
• Impaired coordination
• Hangover-like symptoms
• Physical dependence
• Addiction

Since the initial effects of phenibut are often delayed, some people may take another dose because they think it didn’t work the first time. Taking too much phenibut in this way can cause an overdose. Phenibut overdose is also more likely if a person is taking the drug with other depressants like opioids, alcohol, or prescription sedatives.

Signs of phenibut overdose include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Low blood pressure
• Low body temperature
• Lethargy
• Extreme drowsiness
• Delirium
• Loss of consciousness

What Are Signs and Symptoms of Phenibut Addiction and Abuse?

People who are misusing phenibut may display some or all of the following behaviors:

• Taking higher doses of phenibut than recommended on the label
• Taking more frequent doses of phenibut than recommended on the label
• Self-medicating to cope with alcohol withdrawal symptoms
• Using other depressants like alcohol, opioids, or sedatives to enhance the effects of phenibut

If someone is addicted to phenibut, he or she may show some of the classic signs of addiction, such as:

• Having strong cravings for phenibut
• Feeling unable to function normally without it
• Being preoccupied with thoughts about getting phenibut and using it
• Experiencing phenibut withdrawal symptoms
• Needing higher doses of phenibut to experience any effects
• Trying to cut back or quit using phenibut but being unable
• Neglecting personal responsibilities and hobbies as a result of phenibut abuse

A person who has a history of substance abuse may be more likely to become physically dependent or addicted to phenibut.

What Are Phenibut Withdrawal Symptoms?

Some people may develop a physical dependence to phenibut very quickly and build up a tolerance to it. Once a person is physically dependent on phenibut, they will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using it. Phenibut withdrawal symptoms usually appear within three to four hours of using the drug and may include:

• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Muscle pain/twitching
• Nausea
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Depersonalization and derealization (feeling detached from your body or reality)
• Psychomotor agitation (unintentional restlessness and movements such as pacing, toe-tapping, or rapid talking)
• Hallucinations

Phenibut Detox

Phenibut withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe and uncomfortable, so detoxing in a medical environment is often the safest and most comfortable option. Medical phenibut detox also reduces the likelihood that a relapse will occur by providing round-the-clock monitoring, medication-assisted treatment, and clinical counseling to address the psychological symptoms of withdrawal.

Phenibut Withdrawal Timeline

Although there is no established withdrawal timeline for phenibut, it is similar to benzodiazepine withdrawal. The severity and duration of phenibut withdrawal will vary from person to person and largely depends on factors like:

• How long they have used phenibut
• Their method of quitting phenibut (taper vs. cold turkey)
• Their typical dosage
• If they are taking any other drugs or supplements

In general, acute physical symptoms of phenibut withdrawal usually subside within a week or two, although some symptoms like anxiety and depression may persist for longer. This is known as post-acute withdrawal. People who take high doses of phenibut are more likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms that are longer-lasting.

Treatment for Phenibut Addiction

Phenibut dependence and addiction are two of the primary risks of using this drug, but phenibut detox and ongoing treatment are available for those that need it. After phenibut detox, long-term rehab program that lasts 90 days or longer may be the best option for someone who is suffering from severe addiction to phenibut and can provide adequate care for co-occurring disorders like social anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Although every phenibut rehab program is different, most will include a variety of evidence-based addiction treatment methods such as:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Educational lectures
• Fitness regimen and nutritional guidance
• 12-Step Program work (or similar recovery programming)
• Specialized therapies like art therapy and music therapy

During phenibut rehab, clients work with addiction treatment professionals to address the underlying causes of their substance abuse, learn how to cope without drugs, and prepare for and prevent relapse. Phenibut rehab also helps to prepare clients for ongoing treatment by providing life skills development, peer support, and encouraging H&I meetings that aim to show them what a life in recovery can look like.

Inpatient Drug Rehab vs. Outpatient Drug Rehab for Phenibut Addiction

As is mentioned earlier, no two phenibut rehab programs are exactly alike and there are many different types of drug rehab programs that cater to individuals with different levels of addiction and co-occurring disorders.

Two common types of drug rehab are inpatient programs and outpatient programs. While each type of phenibut rehab program is designed to cater to clients with varying needs, both are equally recovery-focused and provide solid treatment for substance use disorders.

Here is a simple side-by-side comparison of residential phenibut rehab programs and outpatient phenibut rehab programs.

In residential rehab, clients: · Live at the rehab center in gender-specific group housing while they complete their program · Adhere to a structured daily schedule and treatment regimen · Attend daily therapy sessions · Participate in recovery-focused activities, therapies, and family workshops · Have immediate access to medical and clinical care services on-site

In outpatient rehab, clients: · Commit to attending a series of group therapy sessions hosted at a safe, clinical location · Complete homework assignments independently outside of group sessions · Continue working, attending school, and maintaining other personal responsibilities and commitments while enrolled in drug rehab · Have limited access to medical and clinical care services

In general, a residential drug rehab program may be best for those who are struggling with severe, long-lasting phenibut addiction or who also require complex medical and/or clinical care for co-occurring disorders. An outpatient phenibut rehab program is a great option for continued care after residential rehab or for those who have a stable and sober living environment and a moderate addiction to phenibut.

The cost of a phenibut treatment program can vary depending on factors like:

• The location of the rehab center
• The type of treatment services/specialized therapies offered
• The rehab center’s amenities
• The facility’s payment options/insurance accepted

Fortunately, there are many ways to pay for a phenibut treatment program and options for reducing its costs. A few common ways people pay for drug rehab include:

• Health insurance benefits
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Financed healthcare loans
• Medical credit cards
• Crowdfunding
• HSA funds
• Scholarships and grants

Continued Care Options for Phenibut Addiction Treatment

Just like any other drug addiction, phenibut addiction cannot be “cured” or overcome without continued work and support. Fortunately, there are several phenibut treatment options for continuing care that can help you maintain your sobriety after rehab and successfully re-enter society as a sober person.

Sober Living Programs

If you do not have a sober and supportive home environment to return to after rehab, a sober living program may be ideal for you. Sober living homes offer enhanced recovery support by providing safe, sober, gender-specific living spaces for people in all stages of recovery.

Many sober living homes also offer additional recovery support services such as:

• Regular drug and alcohol testing
• Tiered recovery programming
• House managers and staff that live on-site
• Group activities
• Employment and education assistance
• A peer-guided personal monitoring program

These recovery support services act as a protective umbrella to help clients adjust to a life of sobriety, gradually take on more personal responsibilities, and successfully transition back into society after rehab. Sober living programs also greatly reduce the likelihood of relapse and help clients get back on track if and when a relapse does occur.

The cost of a sober living program will vary depending on its location, amenities, and the recovery support services that are offered. However, payment is most often collected once a month, as rent would be.

Aftercare Programs

Aftercare is another type of continuing care option that is designed to help rehab alumni successfully navigate life in recovery, even when they are faced with difficult circumstances.

Aftercare is most often comprised of a series of weekly meetings during which people in recovery discuss sobriety-related issues. Many people also use aftercare meetings as a weekly check-in to remain accountable to their sober peers.

Group discussions during each aftercare session are designed to be safe, supportive, and encouraging. This type of program is ideal for people who have already completed rehab and who need continued support to maintain their recovery throughout transitional stages of life, such as a new job, a move to a new city, or the loss of a loved one.

If you or a loved one is struggling with phenibut addiction, you are not alone. A caring professional is waiting to take your call and help you get the treatment you deserve. Call (512) 605-2955 to speak with a Nova Recovery Center representative today to learn more about our phenibut treatment program options.

References:

1. https://thedrugclassroom.com/video/phenibut/
2. https://aoaam.org/resources/Documents/2019%20-%20Spring%20Conference%20Slides/Slides%20-%20Emerging%20drugs%20of%20abuse%20-%20Kmiec%20%20Morrone%20-%203-2-19.pdf
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5952553/
4. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-statement-deputy-commissioner-food-policy-and-response-frank-yiannas-new-steps-protect-consumers
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3604470/
6. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1184/phenibut

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