Can You Get Addicted to Muscle Relaxers?

2 minute read

Muscle relaxer drugs—also known as muscle relaxants—are a category of medications used to treat muscle-related pain. These drugs are typically divided into two main types: antispastics, which treat conditions like multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy, and antispasmodics, which target acute muscle spasms from injuries or strain. Both types help relieve stiffness, spasms, and general muscle discomfort. But are they safe? And more importantly, can you get addicted to muscle relaxers? 

Can You Get Addicted to Muscle Relaxers?

The short answer is yes. Muscle relaxants have the potential for misuse and addiction, especially when used outside of a doctor’s guidance. While not all muscle relaxers carry the same risk, some have more habit-forming properties than others. Much like opioids—which are also used for pain relief—muscle relaxants can produce calming and euphoric effects that make them appealing to people seeking relief from stress, anxiety, or chronic pain.

These medications work by depressing the central nervous system, which can lead to a quick development of tolerance. Misusing muscle relaxers—whether by taking higher doses than prescribed or using them recreationally—can rapidly lead to dependence and addiction. It only takes a few instances of misuse for your brain to crave more, creating a dangerous cycle of increased use.

Why Do People Take Muscle Relaxers?

Muscle relaxants are often prescribed for legitimate medical conditions, including fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, chronic pain, and injuries that cause tension or spasms. They can also help relieve pain from sprains, strains, or tension headaches. While they serve an important role in treatment, the potential for abuse shouldn’t be ignored. Some individuals misuse these drugs not for pain relief, but for their sedative and euphoric effects, making awareness and proper use crucial.

List of Common Muscle Relaxers  

To be aware of muscle relaxer drugs, here is a list of popular medications that doctors can prescribe:

  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
  • Carisprodol (Soma)
  • Methocarbal (Robaxin)
  • Dantrolene (Dantrium)
  • Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
  • Chlorzoxazone (Lorzone)
  • Baclofen (Lioresal)
  • Orphenadrine (Norflex)

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Risks of Muscle Relaxer Abuse

Of course, muscle relaxer abuse is dangerous because it can lead to addiction. This is a long and arduous journey of needing to escape lasting withdrawal symptoms like cravings. Plus, addiction can severely harm your body due to the abundance of toxins in drugs. Additionally, abusing any drug puts you at risk of overdose, which causes your body to shut down. Along with experiencing unconsciousness, coma, and heart attacks, overdose can cause death.

Mixing Muscle Relaxers with Alcohol

Abusing muscle relaxers on their own is dangerous, but mixing the drugs with alcohol is especially risky. Because both alcohol and muscle relaxants are depressants, mixing them can heighten the sedative effects. Thus, you could have uncontrollable, unanticipated effects of combining the substances. In addition, you put yourself at risk of blackouts, loss of breathing, and overdose.

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Near Me

It may not seem like there’s any harm in misusing muscle relaxants, but you can bring about long-term addiction and harm. Please care for yourself by seeking help to escape drug abuse. Although it’s not easy to do on your own, rehab centers are equipped to help you recover!

Questions about treatment options?

Our admissions team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and help you get started with the next steps.

Vogue Recovery Editorial Staff

Vogue Recovery Editorial Staff

Vogue Recovery Editorial Staff

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