Are Muscle Relaxers Addictive?

Muscle pain is a common problem among people in the United States. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), muscle pain affects 47% of the population. Of those individuals, between 39 to 45% of them deal with chronic muscle pain that requires ongoing treatment.

One of the ways muscle pain is treated is through the use of muscle relaxers. Muscle relaxers are prescription medications that can treat a wide range of conditions, from muscle spasms and multiple sclerosis to cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries.

While muscle relaxers can manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, they are also habit-forming and addictive. People might begin to abuse them to experience a euphoric and drowsy high. Understanding how muscle relaxants can become addictive can lessen a person’s chances of developing a substance use disorder.

What are Muscle Relaxers?

Most muscle relaxants act as a central nervous system depressant. They treat pain by preventing nerves from creating pain signals. They are used to manage a wide range of conditions that cause symptoms of muscle pain.

Skeletal muscle relaxants come in two different categories. First, you have antispasmodics, which are generally used to treat lower back pain and muscle spasms. The second type is called antispastics, which relieve spasticity that leads to pain.

Examples of antispasmodic muscle relaxers include:

• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
• Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
• Orphenadrine (Norflex)
• Carisoprodol (Soma)
• Chlorzoxazone (Lorzone)

Commonly used antispastic muscle relaxants include:

• Dantrolene (Dantrium)
• Baclofen (Lioresal)

Side effects of muscle relaxants include symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, confusion, headaches, nausea, and even blurry vision. Long-term use of them can lead to physical dependence. If you become addicted to muscle relaxers, you should seek professional help.

Are Muscle Relaxers Addictive?

Muscle relaxers are prescription drugs. They require a prescription because there is some risk to consuming them. Muscle relaxers are Schedule IV drugs, which means they have medical uses and a lower risk of abuse than other substances like heroin or meth.

While the DEA considers them low-risk, many people develop an addiction to them. One of the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxers os Somas. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 2,276,000 U.S. residents abused Somas at some point in their lives.

The reason that muscle relaxants are addictive is because they depress the central nervous system. As a result, people might experience feelings of euphoria, drowsiness, and dizziness. This type of high can be habit-forming, especially when they are used frequently.

Signs of Muscle Relaxer Abuse

Since muscle relaxer addiction is a real risk, it’s important to be aware of the signs of muscle relaxer abuse. People misusing muscle relaxers might run out of their prescriptions early or steal pills from their loved ones.

Other signs of muscle relaxant abuse include:

• Taking a higher dose than prescribed
• Going to multiple doctors to receive more than one prescription
• Stealing or buying muscle relaxants from friends and loved ones
• Faking back pain or injuries to receive muscle relaxers
• Experiencing changes in sleeping habits or appetite
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Hiding muscle relaxant use from loved ones
• Isolating from friends and family to misuse muscle relaxants
• Dealing with cravings to misuse muscle relaxers
• Needing to increase the dose of muscle relaxants to experience the desired effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using muscle relaxers

If someone experiences withdrawal symptoms like vomiting, tremors, or seizures, they are addicted to muscle relaxers. Unfortunately, muscle relaxer addiction must be treated professionally by a drug rehab program. These facilities can offer the tools and services one needs to achieve long-lasting recovery.

Is Muscle Relaxer Addiction Dangerous?

Being addicted to muscle relaxers puts an individual at risk of experiencing an overdose. Muscle relaxant overdoses can be life-threatening and require immediate medical intervention.

Other dangers associated with muscle relaxant addiction include:

• Drowsiness and sedation that affect thinking and coordination
• Weakening of the muscles over time
• Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even psychosis
• Blood pressure issues
• Irregular heart rate and other cardiovascular effects
• Seizures from withdrawal
• Swelling of the liver
• Low white blood cell count that leads to infections
• Paralysis, coma, and death from an overdose

Because of the many risks of muscle relaxant addiction, individuals must seek professional help. A combination of medical detox, inpatient, or outpatient treatment will make recovery from muscle relaxant addiction much easier.

Find Help for Muscle Relaxer Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one suffers from muscle relaxer abuse, it’s time to seek help. You should always attend a medical detox center followed by inpatient or outpatient treatment. Once you complete these programs, you can transition into a sober living home to develop relapse prevention and life skills necessary for sobriety.

Contact New You Sober Living today to discuss your treatment options.