The aim of this paper is to assess the substance pregabaline's potential for abuse. Little information is available on the subject and that retrieved is in part conflicting. Pregabaline is likely to be abused for its positive psychological effects, e.g. euphoria. However, these effects are weak and not sustained during long-term use. Pregabaline is therefore likely to have a lower potential for abuse than benzodiazepines. In clinical studies, symptoms suggestive of physical dependence (e.g. insomnia, nausea, headache, diarrhoea) have been observed in some patients after abrupt discontinuation of pregabaline. However, available documentation indicates that pregabaline is associated with less physical and psychological dependence than benzodiazepines.