Abstract
Introduction: There is increased clinical use of gabapentin, these trends appear to chronologically align with the opioid overdose crisis and particularly with the increased restrictions on opioid prescription. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the clinical variables, pain quality, and severity among patients with opioid use disorder as the main substance with and without gabapentin comorbid use. Methods: The research involved 60 patients diagnosed with substance use disorder, divided into two groups: opioid use as the main substance and opioid use with comorbid gabapentin. All Participants were assessed using various tools, including a semi-structured clinical addiction interview, the DSM-IV, the Addiction Severity Index, urine drug test, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and DN4 Questionnaire, in one interview setting Results: the study showed that pain relief was the main desirable effect in the Gabapentin group, with 66.2% of the group experiencing it. Euphoria was the desirable effect in the opioid group, while overdose was more common in the Gabapentin group. Respiratory complications were also more common in the Gabapentin group. Conclusion: The study concluded that patients with comorbid Gabapentin use disorder had higher incidences of overdose, history of pain, and significant neuropathic pain, while less abstinence.