Are Muscle Relaxers Addictive?

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The Nature of Muscle Relaxer Addiction and Treatment Options

Doctors might be quick to hand out a prescription for medications that can stop chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and other issues that spur muscle spasms. The problem is that not every healthcare provider is educated on the long-term impacts of a skeletal muscle relaxant.

Are muscle relaxers addictive?

It’s easy to develop an increased tolerance for prescription muscle relaxers. Mixing them with other drugs or alcohol can compound side effects and result in dangerous consequences. You may have serious withdrawal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headaches, seizures, and hallucinations.

If you think that you may be addicted to muscle relaxers, you need to seek professional help. Catalina Behavioral Health offers the assistance you need, from medical detox to intensive outpatient. Here is what you need to know about muscle relaxer addiction.

Treatment for Muscle Spasms: Are Muscle Relaxants Addictive?

Many people struggle with chronic pain daily related to muscle spasms and compromised nerve pathways. Muscle relaxers are often the answer to this uncomfortable issue, but they should only be taken under the care and guidance of a medical team. Plus, they should only be used for short-term treatment (usually two to three weeks).

Prescription muscle relaxers can indeed be addictive if taken too often or for too long of a period.

Your doctor might use relaxers to treat muscle spasms, but that isn’t the only reason people turn to these drugs. They depress the central nervous system, which leads to a sedative effect that can be desirable and addictive. It keeps the brain and spinal cord from communicating pain sensations.

They also give a sense of well-being, relaxation, and euphoria for up to six hours.

The most commonly abused muscle relaxers are Valium, Soma, and Flexeril. It’s worth noting that not all addictive muscle relaxers are controlled substances, making them easier to obtain legally.

Side Effects of Muscle Relaxers

In addition to depressing the central nervous system and developing physical dependence on the drug, there are some serious side effects of muscle relaxers. These side effects worsen if you begin taking an even larger dose of the prescription.

Some of the side effects may not be pleasant, including:

• Irritability or agitation
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Extreme drowsiness
• Low blood pressure and respiratory depression
• Blurred vision

Using alcohol and muscle relaxers is even more dangerous. These side effects tend to enhance feelings of relaxation and the sedative effect.

Fainting and memory issues are relatively common when engaging in polysubstance abuse. While common, it is ill-advised to use both substances simultaneously.

Noting Personal or Familial History of Addiction

It’s worth noting that eventually, your body will come to tolerate the starting dose of the drug. You may have taken the prescribed dosage for an extended time. After a certain point, your muscle pain might and nerves sending pain signals will resurface after taking the same dosage. You’ll need more and more of the drug to achieve remission of pain signals.

This is why doctors typically don’t prescribe muscle relaxers for prolonged use with muscle issues.

Even if you have a chronic condition such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, it’s worth discussing your personal or family history of addiction with a provider. Studies show that muscle relaxers may not be effective long-term for all types of pain management.

A doctor may be able to offer something different to relieve muscle spasms that would be better suited to someone who has a propensity toward substance use as well. If you are concerned about your drug use, find a professional who will listen to your concerns.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms of Being Addicted to Muscle Relaxers

While you might have started taking skeletal muscle relaxers under the care of a doctor, things can get out of hand quickly. Prescription muscle relaxants and others muscle relaxers also have withdrawal symptoms if you take them too long and stop abruptly.

In many cases, these withdrawal symptoms are going to be the same as the potential adverse effects but elevated to a more uncomfortable degree. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and a general sense of not feeling well are all possible. You might also feel more anxiety or edginess in the days after your final dose.

In rare instances, abuse of muscle relaxants may also result in hallucinations or seizures, so it’s best to let your medical team know about your usage.

Flexeril and other prescription muscle relaxants have withdrawal symptoms that surface about two to four days after the last dose. The effects can last for about a week, during which time you’ll often be very uncomfortable. This is where addiction treatment can help.

Why Pursue Addiction Treatment for Skeletal Muscle Relaxant Addiction?

Many people struggling with substance abuse do so in private. They hesitate to make that brave move and admit their need for help to get over the drug, but professional support can make you increasingly more comfortable and provide the structure you need to heal.

Catalina Behavioral Health offers several different treatment programs so that you can get the help you need for muscle relaxer addiction.

Medical Detox for 24/7 Care

The first treatment for commonly prescribed muscle relaxers is usually a medical detox or sub-acute detox depending on severity and medications.

Catalina offers sub-acute detox that grants clients access to a team of medical professionals who are there for them around the clock. Whether early in the morning or late at night, our goal is to keep you comfortable and safe.

During detox, we also have the option of medication-assisted treatment. This means that we can prescribe drugs to combat the withdrawal symptoms and make you more comfortable. Tapering from the prescription drugs you currently take is an option only available in detox.

This is the best way to manage withdrawal symptoms in a safe and supportive environment.

Residential Care for Long-Term Help

Whether you are addicted to central nervous system depressants or are combining substances, the next step for your physical and mental health is usually residential care. Muscle relaxers act great for spinal cord injuries and muscle spasms, but they might not be as effective as other drugs for anxiety.

In our residential program, you’ll be safe from the opportunity to turn to muscle relaxers again. Our team of clinicians will teach you new coping skills and help you connect with a doctor who can treat anxiety and work with you on pain management. You get a personalized treatment plan for your long-term care.

We may also help you manage acute pain without turning to more muscle relaxers.

Intensive Outpatient for Less Restrictive Care

Eventually, you will be ready to move from the safe confines of our residential treatment center here at Catalina Behavioral Health. Intensive outpatient allows you to receive the same help as our residential clients for several hours each day. The difference is that you go home at night to sleep in your bed.

You still have access to one-on-one therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and even complementary therapies like yoga and art. Get some practice abstaining from substance abuse while maintaining the structure that is so critical to inpatient or residential care.

It’s a great way to test the waters of navigating life without the abuse of prescription medications while you still have access to a supportive network of peers and professionals.

Get a Customized Muscle Relaxer Treatment Plan at Catalina

Are you ready to conquer a prescription drug addiction and your concurrent mental health issues? It might mean you will experience withdrawal symptoms, but Catalina Behavioral Health is here to help. We offer personalized treatment plans from detox and inpatient treatment to PHP, IOP, and outpatient services.

Better yet, we accept an array of insurance to cover more of your treatment. Connect with a healthcare provider in our system and let our enrollment team verify your benefits in a quick, confidential call that takes just fifteen minutes of your time.

Reach out to us today to get immediate medical attention, treat pain, and get past a dependence on muscle relaxants now!

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