Can you get high off muscle relaxers? Yes, some muscle relaxers, such as Flexeril, can produce an euphoric high when misused. This article will delve into how these drugs work, the risks associated with their misuse, and the dangers of developing an addiction.
Key Takeaways
Muscle relaxers are commonly prescribed medications that alleviate muscle tension, but they carry risks of side effects and potential for misuse.
Abuse of muscle relaxers, particularly Flexeril, can lead to severe health risks, including overdose, long-term dependency, and negative interactions with other substances like alcohol.
Early recognition of signs and symptoms of muscle relaxer abuse is critical for effective intervention, and comprehensive treatment approaches are essential for recovery.
Table of Contents
What Are Muscle Relaxers?
Muscle relaxants serve to mitigate muscle pain and tension by acting as depressants on the central nervous system. They are often recommended for issues like back ache, neck strain, and muscle spasms in order to alleviate discomfort and aid with managing acute pain. By reducing muscle tension, these medications can be quite effective when used correctly.
Nevertheless, individuals taking muscle relaxers might encounter side effects such as fatigue, drowsiness, headaches, nausea or dizziness. These adverse reactions could hinder everyday activities for many users who may experience one or more of them. It is important that patients stay informed about potential side effects and maintain open communication with their healthcare providers should they arise.
The prescription rates of muscle relaxants have seen a substantial increase over time. Specifically in 2016 where there was a threefold rise from previous years reaching 24.7 million prescriptions issued that year alone—this indicates an escalating dependency on these drugs for alleviating muscular pain and stiffness. It equally raises concerns about the possibility of misuse or addiction associated with them.
How Do Muscle Relaxers Work?
Muscle relaxers are designed to alleviate muscle tension by exerting their effects on the central nervous system. They achieve this by depressing nerve activity within the central nervous system, thereby easing spasms and acute pain associated with tense muscles. Their utility in managing pain makes them an important option for those experiencing discomfort.
The way different muscle relaxers operate can vary significantly. For instance, while Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) obstructs the transmission of pain sensations from sore muscles to the brain, Metaxalone works not only by impeding nerve impulses, but also helps decrease inflammation. In terms of action, Flexeril modifies neurotransmitter activities within the brain to facilitate muscular relaxation. Understanding these variations is essential when consulting healthcare providers so that they can recommend a particular muscle relaxer tailored to individual health requirements.
Prioritizing safety through professional consultation before commencing any new regimen involving a muscle relaxer is crucial due to potential side effects unique to each medication. This step ensures individuals receive personalized and safe treatment options corresponding with their specific medical conditions, thus avoiding undue risk exposure.
Can You Get High Off Muscle Relaxers?
Many individuals misuse muscle relaxers because they act as sedatives, which can result in a feeling of euphoria. Cyclobenzaprine is one such muscle relaxer whose misapplication due to its ability to cause these pleasurable sensations raises concerns given its widespread accessibility.
Flexeril, a widely known prescription muscle relaxer, when taken in quantities exceeding the recommended dosage or combined with other substances, can lead to recreational abuse aimed at attaining relaxation and tranquility through the high it induces. It’s notably prevalent among young adults who seek out Flexeril for its intoxicating effects.
Over time, users may build up tolerance towards cyclobenzaprine necessitating larger doses for the desired effect. This escalation in consumption increases both the chances of encountering serious adverse reactions and the peril of overdose.
Commonly Abused Muscle Relaxers
Flexeril, also known as cyclobenzaprine, is frequently misused and sits among the top muscle relaxants subject to abuse. It’s a prescribed medication specifically designed to alleviate muscle spasms. Despite its effectiveness in providing relief from spasms, it can induce unwanted effects like sleepiness, vertigo, and queasiness. Its misuse often aims for sedative purposes or amplifying the impacts of alcohol and additional substances.
Similarly abused are other muscle relaxers such as Baclofen, which aim to relieve stiffness and spasm in muscles. This drug proves particularly useful for individuals managing conditions like multiple sclerosis. The improper consumption of these drugs raises severe health risks that include but are not limited to cardiac arrest and respiratory depression.
Recreational users tend to consume Flexeril at doses between 20 mg and an excessive 80 mg with potentially grave repercussions on their health. Recognizing the dangers associated with abusing muscle relaxant medications is vital for preventing adverse outcomes.
The Dangers of Abusing Muscle Relaxers
The misuse of muscle relaxers can lead to grave health consequences, including the risk of overdosing and chronic health problems. Symptoms indicative of an overdose may encompass a state of daze or lethargy, delusions, convulsive episodes, and falling into a coma—these symptoms mark the perilous nature associated with the improper use of these drugs.
There has been a noticeable surge in emergency room cases attributed to abuse involving muscle relaxants over recent years. The escalation is marked by an increase from 15,830 instances up to 31,763 within just five years—a statistic that starkly illustrates the expanding issue surrounding muscle relaxant misuse.
Abuse of muscle relaxers can precipitate serious long-term health issues such as erratic changes in body temperature and heart rhythm abnormalities along with seizures. These risks may also extend towards developing physiological dependence on these substances as well as addiction. It’s crucial to confront abuse involving muscle relaxing medications quickly and efficiently for safeguarding against dire medical repercussions.
Signs and Symptoms of Muscle Relaxer Abuse
It is essential to identify the signs and symptoms of muscle relaxer abuse promptly for timely intervention. Indications of such behavior involve quickly depleting prescription supplies, which often results in requests for early refills. Individuals might also simulate conditions to acquire prescriptions.
The physical manifestations consist of heightened drowsiness, disorientation, and reduced muscular strength. These can markedly interfere with routine activities and general health status, impinging on both mental and physical health.
On a psychological level, symptoms encompass an intensified obsession with obtaining the medication, episodes of irritability, alterations in mood patterns, and challenges in maintaining focus. These issues can make recovery more complex by underlining the importance of holistic treatment approaches that address mental health alongside other concerns.
Mixing Muscle Relaxers with Other Substances
Mixing muscle relaxers with additional substances can considerably increase the chance of negative consequences. It’s particularly risky to combine muscle relaxers and alcohol since both act as depressants that can intensify harmful effects, potentially causing severe depression of the central nervous system, which may be life-threatening.
Flexeril is sometimes abused in conjunction with alcohol or benzodiazepines to increase its calming properties. This misuse can escalate into excessive sleepiness, lack of motor coordination, and sickness. It might also culminate in an overdose from Flexeril along with ongoing abuse issues associated with this drug.
The impetus for polysubstance abuse frequently stems from a quest to boost desired sensations or mitigate unpleasant emotions connected with substance use disorders.
Understanding Physical Dependence and Addiction
Long-term use of muscle relaxers can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Flexeril addiction can develop due to its central nervous system depressant effects. Frequent use of cyclobenzaprine can cause dependence, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, or rebound pain.
Physical dependence is a body’s reaction to needing a drug, while addiction involves loss of control over its use. Understanding this distinction is crucial in comprehending the complexity of muscle relaxer addiction.
Psychological symptoms of muscle relaxer addiction include increased preoccupation with the drug, irritability, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. Such symptoms highlight the need for treatment addressing both physical and psychological aspects of addiction.
Withdrawal Symptoms from Muscle Relaxers
Managing withdrawal symptoms from muscle relaxers can be challenging without proper medical supervision. Symptoms include nausea, headaches, and fatigue. These symptoms typically peak 2-4 days after the last dose and may persist for 1-2 weeks.
Professional medical detox may be necessary for those with severe dependency to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Slowly tapering off muscle relaxers under medical supervision can help minimize withdrawal effects.
Treatment Options for Muscle Relaxer Addiction
Comprehensive treatment includes detox, behavioral therapy, and support groups. Personalized strategies are essential for effectively addressing muscle relaxer addiction treatment. Behavioral therapy, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, helps shape perspectives on substance use. Support groups in rehab offer a platform to share experiences and coping mechanisms.
Long-term recovery often involves medication management and lifestyle changes. Such strategies help maintain sobriety and prevent relapse.
The Role of Professional Rehab in Recovery
Structured therapy environments at rehabilitation centers assist people in overcoming addiction to muscle relaxers. These centers work on identifying the root causes of an individual’s addiction and address any underlying problems that fuel dependency.
When patients openly discuss their treatment objectives with healthcare providers, it contributes to a more responsible use of medications. Through medical oversight and planned therapeutic interventions in rehab settings, individuals addicted to muscle relaxers can experience a more secure recovery journey.
Preventing Muscle Relaxer Abuse
Ensuring that patients are properly instructed on the potential risks and correctly manage their prescriptions is vital in averting misuse. Keeping medications secure from unauthorized individuals helps to avert abuse.
It’s important for patients to be informed about the proper disposal of any leftover muscle relaxers, which decreases the likelihood of misuse. By educating them about the indicators of substance misuse, they can recognize early signs and pursue assistance promptly should they notice symptoms of abuse.
Summary
Understanding the risks and consequences of muscle relaxer abuse is critical for both users and their loved ones. From the mechanics of how these medications work to the potential for misuse and the severe health risks involved, it is clear that muscle relaxers must be used with caution. Recognizing the signs of abuse, understanding the dangers of mixing substances, and being aware of withdrawal symptoms are all vital steps in addressing this growing problem.
Recovery from muscle relaxer addiction is possible with the right support and treatment. Comprehensive treatment plans, including detox, behavioral therapy, and support groups, are essential for long-term recovery. By educating ourselves and others, and by promoting safe use and disposal of these medications, we can help prevent muscle relaxer abuse and support those on the path to recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get high off muscle relaxers?
Yes, muscle relaxers can produce euphoric effects when misused, especially in higher doses or when combined with other substances.
However, this practice poses serious health risks and is not advisable.
What are the common signs of muscle relaxer abuse?
Common signs of muscle relaxer abuse include increased sedation, confusion, rapid consumption of prescriptions, and faking symptoms to obtain more medication.
Recognizing these signs early is crucial for addressing potential abuse.
What are the risks of mixing muscle relaxers with alcohol or other drugs?
Mixing muscle relaxers with alcohol or other drugs poses significant risks, including severe central nervous system depression, extreme drowsiness, impaired coordination, and potentially life-threatening respiratory depression.
Therefore, it is imperative to avoid such combinations to ensure safety.
How can muscle relaxer addiction be treated?
Muscle relaxer addiction can be effectively treated through detoxification, behavioral therapy, participation in support groups, and the development of personalized treatment plans that address both physical dependence and psychological issues.
Seeking professional help is essential for a successful recovery.
What should I do if I suspect someone is abusing muscle relaxers?
If you suspect someone is abusing muscle relaxers, it is essential to encourage them to seek professional help and educate them about the associated risks.
Supporting them in finding a treatment center can also facilitate their recovery.
MD Mitchell Grant Cohen
Dr. Mitchell G. Cohen is a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist with over 34 years of experience in patient-centered healthcare. A graduate of Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Dr. Cohen completed his internship at the University Health Center of Pittsburgh, where he gained invaluable hands-on experience. He is also a certified addiction specialist, holding membership with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).
Currently based in Nashua, NH, Dr. Cohen is affiliated with Saint Joseph Hospital, where he provides comprehensive care focusing on both internal medicine and addiction treatment. His expertise includes prevention, diagnosis, and management of adult diseases, as well as specialized care for individuals facing substance use disorders.
Dr. Cohen is committed to fostering open communication, ensuring his patients are fully informed and empowered to make confident decisions about their health and treatment options.
