If you’ve been prescribed a muscle relaxer for back pain or muscle pain, chances are, you’ve felt a real sense of relief when you first started taking them. For many, muscle relaxers can make everyday life a little easier.
However, after long-term use, you may notice a few worrying side effects. You start to feel anxious when you miss a dose. You may even experience cravings.
Are muscle relaxers addictive, and can they make you high? In this article, we cover everything you need to understand the risks of misusing muscle relaxers.
What Are Muscle Relaxers?
Muscle relaxers, also known as skeletal muscle relaxants, are prescription drugs that help relieve muscle spasms and body pain.
These prescription medications can be life-changing for those with injuries and chronic pain. Yet, they also carry risks at higher doses.
There are several types of muscle relaxers.
1. Antispastics
Antispastics treat conditions affecting upper neurons. They are often used for conditions like multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries.
Examples of antispastics are:
- Baclofen (Brand name: Lioresal)
- Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
2. Antispasmodics
Antispasmodics are prescription medications for muscle spasms, back pain, and musculoskeletal injuries.
Antispasmodics include the following:
- Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Carisoprodol (Soma)
- Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
- Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
- Chlorozoxazone
- Orphenadrine (Norflex)
3. Other Types of Muscle Relaxers
While not technically muscle relaxers, some antidepressants and central nervous system depressants have muscle-relaxing properties. One example is the benzodiazepine diazepam (Valium).
How Muscle Relaxers Work
Most muscle relaxers work by depressing the central nervous system. They slow down nerve activity in the brain stem and spinal cord. This reduces the signals that cause muscle spasms and tension.
A few muscle relaxers, like dantrolene, can affect muscle fibers directly as well. They work by blocking the release of calcium ions within the muscle cells, which prevents contractions.
Can Muscle Relaxers Make You High?
Yes. Some muscle relaxers have the potential to cause dissociation and a euphoric high.
Since muscle relaxers act as sedatives, they have a high potential for substance abuse. People may take them in high doses, which can lead to a risk of overdose.
Are Muscle Relaxers Addictive?
Unfortunately, muscle relaxers can be addictive. Prolonged use results in physical dependence. Moreover, you may build a tolerance to muscle relaxers.
As your body adapts to high concentrations of muscle relaxers, you may need to take increased doses to achieve the same effect.
It’s important to follow your prescription and only use muscle relaxers for the short term. Seek help from a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
The Side Effects of Muscle Relaxers
Muscle relaxers affect each person differently. However, these are common side effects you may encounter.
1. Drowsiness and Dizziness
Since muscle relaxers have a sedative effect, taking them can make you feel dizzy and sleepy. This can be a helpful side effect for some.
If your muscle spasms are affecting your sleep, your doctor may prescribe a more sedating immediate-release form.
However, if you don’t want the muscle relaxer to affect your daytime activities, it’s best to take your medication at night.
2. Dry Mouth
Muscle relaxers can block acetylcholine, a chemical that causes muscle contractions and secretions. As a result, you may develop a dry mouth when you take this medication.
You can manage this side effect by chewing gum, drinking water more regularly, and limiting acidic foods.
3. Headache and Fatigue
Muscle relaxers, like metaxalone, cause headaches when you first take them. They can make you feel tired, and you may even have difficulty concentrating on tasks.
If your headaches and fatigue are persistent, you may need to ask your doctor about a lower dose.
4. Gastrointestinal Upset
Muscle relaxers can cause gastrointestinal upset when you take them on an empty stomach. It can cause constipation, acid reflux, upset stomach, and severe diarrhea.
In this case, adding fiber to your diet may help ease some of the symptoms.
5. Blurry Vision
Some muscle relaxers can increase pressure in your eyes. Due to this, some people experience blurred vision.
The Dangers of Misusing Muscle Relaxers
There’s no question that misusing muscle relaxers is incredibly dangerous. It can even be life-threatening if you don’t follow your doctor’s prescription.
Here are just some of the dangerous side effects to be aware of.
- Respiratory Depression: Muscle relaxers can cause respiratory depression when taken in high doses or when combined with alcohol and opioids. It can lead to serious complications like respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
- Liver Damage: Liver damage due to muscle relaxers can range from mild liver enzyme elevation to severe injury. You’re more at risk if you have an existing liver disease.
- Seizure: It’s possible to have a seizure due to muscle relaxers in overdose cases. Combining muscle relaxers with other controlled substances increases your risk of seizure.
- Hallucinations: Some muscle relaxers have similar effects to antidepressants. They can produce psychiatric symptoms and affect your mental health after long-term use.
- Low Blood Pressure: Prescription muscle relaxers can cause low blood pressure if you have existing heart conditions. If you feel lightheaded and dizzy after taking a muscle relaxer, it may be a sign of low blood pressure.
Muscle Relaxer Addiction – When to Seek Help
Becoming addicted to muscle relaxers is more common than you think. Muscle relaxer addiction creeps up on you, and you may not realize it until it’s too late.
If you’re struggling to control your intake, reaching out to a healthcare professional isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a powerful step towards a happier and healthier life!
We recommend seeking help when you’re experiencing the following.
- You’re always craving the medication, and you can’t wait until your next dose.
- You’re taking more than what’s written on your prescription.
- You feel withdrawal symptoms when you cut back on muscle relaxers.
- You combine muscle relaxers with other substances to enhance the effect.
- You feel anxious, uncomfortable, and irritable without muscle relaxers.
- You’re worried that short-term use is turning into a long-term habit.
Remember, muscle relaxers can cause physical dependence. Stopping it abruptly can have dangerous side effects. If you want to lessen your muscle relaxer consumption, it’s best to seek professional help.
Addiction Treatment for the Misuse of Muscle Relaxers
Recovering from muscle relaxer misuse takes a bit of time. That said, you don’t have to go through the whole process alone.
Recreate Behavioral Health Network is a leading treatment center that’s here for you.
RBHN uses evidence-based therapies, world-class amenities, and experienced staff to help you overcome substance use disorder.
To give you a better idea, here’s what addiction treatment can look like at our facility.
1. Assessment
At RBHN, trained medical professionals carefully assess your background and history. We then use this information to create a custom plan for you.
RBHN has an extensive number of treatment options. You may choose from inpatient treatment, outpatient care, or partial hospitalization, to name a few.
2. Detox
Detoxification can be one of the most dangerous steps to recovery. It’s when you may experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
To keep you safe, we can provide 24/7 medical supervision. Not only that, we provide medication-assisted treatment to make detox easy and painless.
3. Therapies
We plan your therapies based on your personal circumstances. Below are just some of the therapies you may attend at RBHN.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: DBT is a type of talk therapy that allows you to process intense emotions. It can teach you how to handle stress and help you get along with others.
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy: CBT helps patients manage mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. It can improve your mindfulness and lessen negative emotions.
- Group Therapy: Attending therapy in a group setting allows you to express your emotions openly. Group therapy can lead to increased self-awareness and emotional growth.
- Teletherapy: Teletherapy uses confidential online tools to allow you to communicate with healthcare professionals. It makes therapy more accessible and affordable for those who need it the most.
- Physical Therapy: We can arrange physical therapy to help you address muscle pain and other injuries.
4. Continuous Support
Recovering from a drug addiction is a lifetime commitment. You need regular check-ins and continuous support to prevent a relapse.
RBHN provides all patients with aftercare planning and peer support. You gain access to a community of professionals and patients who genuinely care about your well-being!
Summary: Do Muscle Relaxers Make You High?
To sum it up, yes. Muscle relaxers can make you high, and they’re addictive when you use them long-term. Misusing muscle relaxers leads to side effects like GI upset, seizures, respiratory damage, and low blood pressure.
If you’re having trouble controlling your intake, it’s best to seek a professional’s advice. Going to a rehab center isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a powerful step that lets you recover from drug use safely and comfortably.
Recreate Behavioral Health Network is a treatment center accredited by the Joint Commission. We provide world-class care designed for your healing.
Take the first step today by reaching us through our hotline. We’re here to help you or your loved ones break free from the cycle of addiction!
