Muscle relaxers, known medically as muscle relaxants, are a powerful class of prescription medication used to treat muscle spasms and pain. While these medications can effectively treat certain medical conditions, they can also be abused. Call 888.341.3607 to speak with someone from Ashwood Recovery about our prescription drug treatment for addiction or abuse. Our caring and compassionate staff of professionals offers muscle relaxant abuse treatment for those struggling with muscle relaxer addiction in Idaho.
What Are the Most Commonly Abused Prescription Medications?
Generally speaking, the most commonly abused prescription medications are opioids and stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin. However, many people don’t realize that muscle relaxants are also frequently abused. Prescription muscle relaxants that can be addictive include the following:
- Carisoprodol (Soma)
- Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril, Amrix)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
This is because they have similar effects as opioids when taken in large doses and can produce a feeling of euphoria.
What Are Muscle Relaxants?
Muscle relaxants block nerve impulses or signals from the brain to the muscles. This causes the muscles to become relaxed, which can help reduce spasms and pain. While some people use prescription muscle relaxers properly, they can be habit-forming and have a high potential for abuse.
These medications come in both pill and injectable forms. However, it is essential to note that injectable forms of muscle relaxants should only be administered by a healthcare professional. While using injectable muscle relaxants without medical supervision isn’t technically drug abuse, it is definitely a form of misuse.
How Does Muscle Relaxer Abuse Develop?
Muscle relaxers can be quite effective when prescribed by a doctor for legitimate medical reasons. However, some people may begin taking higher doses than prescribed or take them more often than recommended to get high or manage stress. This drug abuse usually starts innocently but can quickly spiral out of control if not addressed early on.
What Are the Dangers of Muscle Relaxant Abuse?
Muscle relaxants have serious side effects when taken without supervision or in higher-than-prescribed doses. These effects of prescription medication abuse include the following:
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing, and speaking
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Impaired coordination
- Increased blood pressure levels
- Increased heart rate
Abusing muscle relaxants can even lead to fatalities, especially in overdose cases. Additionally, long-term abuse can lead to physical dependence and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
What to Expect from Prescription Medication Addiction Treatment
If you or someone you care about is struggling with an addiction to prescription medications like muscle relaxants, it’s crucial to seek help right away before things get worse. At Ashwood Recovery in Idaho, we offer comprehensive treatment programs for those struggling with prescription drug addiction. These programs often include detoxification services followed by individual therapy sessions designed to address the underlying issues associated with addiction—such as trauma or mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
Our compassionate and caring staff provides our patients with all the support needed throughout the recovery journey to achieve lasting sobriety and live a healthy lifestyle free from substance-related harm.
Find Prescription Medication Addiction Treatment in Idaho at Ashwood Recovery
Abusing muscle relaxers is dangerous—not only because of their potential for physical dependence but also because they are potent drugs that people should never take without medical supervision. If you find yourself or someone you love struggling with addiction to these drugs, seeking help immediately before things worsen is essential.
At Ashwood Recovery, we offer comprehensive treatment programs designed specifically for those struggling with prescription drug addictions. Contact Ashwood Recovery today at 888.341.3607 to learn more about muscle relaxer abuse dangers and our muscle relaxant abuse treatment in Idaho.