Doctors prescribe muscle relaxers to help treat conditions such as muscle spasms and other musculoskeletal pain [1]. There are several types of muscle relaxers that make the body react in different ways. Due to the way muscle relaxers make people feel, addiction can form in some people taking certain types of medication. The need to forget about the pain and be in a state of euphoria can lead to physical dependence and addiction.

Besides the risk of addiction, some may also develop withdrawal symptoms when they develop a dependence on the drug and then suddenly stop taking it. These withdrawal symptoms can be painful and sometimes even life-threatening.

If you or a loved one is prescribed muscle relaxers, you should be aware of the warning signs of addiction and the types of treatment available.

Are Muscle Relaxers Addictive? What You Need to Know

Certain muscle relaxers do have the potential to become addictive.[2] These include carisoprodol and diazepam. These drugs can also cause withdrawal symptoms if you start depending on them to feel good and stop taking them. People who have a personal or family history of substance use disorder are generally told to avoid muscle relaxers.

What are Muscle Relaxers Used For?

Muscle relaxers are used to reduce muscle tension, stiffness, and pain. The most commonly prescribed medications are known to suppress the central nervous system. [3] These types of medications work in the brain and nervous system, so the muscles can relax and take a timeout.

Doctors can prescribe muscle relaxers on a short-term or long-term basis. Short-term muscle relaxers can treat acute pain caused by an injury or strain. Some people may be prescribed muscle relaxers for other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injuries, tension headaches, and fibromyalgia. [4]

Types of Muscle Relaxers

Not all muscle relaxers are made the same. Different types of muscle relaxers are used to treat various conditions. [5] Some medications are known to produce more side effects, while others are milder on the body.

These are some of the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxers on the market:

Cyclobenzaprine (Fexmid®, Flexeril®)

This is the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxer. [6] It is an inexpensive generic medication that can come with side effects, such as drowsiness. Some doctors will prescribe a lower dosage or use an extended-release formula over an immediate-release version.

Methocarbamol (Robaxin)

Methocarbamol is used to treat back pain. It is less expensive than some other options on the market and is less likely to make you sleepy.

Carisoprodol (Soma)

When evaluating addictive muscle relaxers, carisoprodol makes the top of the list as it has the potential for misuse. [7] If you are prescribed this medication, it is recommended to use it only for 2-3 weeks due to its addiction potential.

Metaxalone (Skelaxin)

This muscle relaxer is known to have the fewest side effects and shouldn’t make you as sleepy as some others.

Tizanidine and Baclofen

Both of these drugs are used to help people with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury deal with spasticity. When people are dealing with spasticity, the muscles contract and resist lengthening. This can make it difficult to move.

How Should They Be Used?

Muscle relaxers should only be used as prescribed and for short periods. [8] Do not take more of your medication and do not take it more often. Doing so can lead to serious side effects. Each patient’s dosage will differ. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders so you get the proper dosage and don’t form a physical dependence.

It’s also important to remember that since muscle relaxers are prescribed drugs, they are designed to treat specific pain and should not be shared. Anyone using them, or other prescription medications, who does not medically need them is putting themselves at risk of danger and possible addiction.

Warning Signs of Muscle Relaxer Addiction

When an addiction to muscle relaxers forms, there are several warning signs to look for. Recognizing signs early can lead to earlier intervention and addiction treatment.

These are some things to look for:

• Social withdrawal from social activities, with an intense focus on using muscle relaxers
• Increased tolerance of the drug, a regular dose is not enough
• Continuing use of muscle relaxers, even if there are poor outcomes
• Not keeping up with regular responsibilities (work, personal, and academic duties)
• Money problems due to using excess funds to pay for muscle relaxers
• Losing interest in hobbies and usual activities
• Being secretive to hide muscle relaxer abuse
• Mood swings and irritability

If you know someone who is taking muscle relaxers and begins to exhibit some of these signs, talk to them about seeking treatment.

What are the Risks?

Risks associated with taking muscle relaxers can vary from person to person because everyone responds differently to the medication. Side effects also depend on the type of medication that is taken.

Common side effects of taking muscle relaxers may include: [9]

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dry mouth

Some people can also experience more serious side effects, like blurred vision.

Impact of Muscle Relaxer Overdose

Some people take muscle relaxers with other drugs to enhance their feelings of euphoria and to escape their current situation.

Misusing muscle relaxers can lead to an overdose that can result in life-threatening conditions such as: [10]

• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Respiratory problems
• Cardiac arrest
• Coma

If any of these signs occur, seek immediate medical attention.

Treating Muscle Relaxer Addiction

Treatment options for muscle relaxer addiction can vary from patient to patient, depending on the medication and severity of the addiction.

You will typically undergo an assessment first to determine what type of treatment you may need. A supervised detox may also be necessary to help manage withdrawal symptoms. Trying to detox on your own can be difficult and sometimes dangerous. During detox, the harmful substance is removed from the body with medical support on hand to deal with withdrawal symptoms.

Counseling and therapy are also typical elements of addiction therapy for muscle relaxer addiction. Individual and family therapy are both sometimes needed.

Some people also find support groups helpful because they can share stories with people who are going through similar experiences. They can also provide helpful advice and encouragement along the journey.

Holistic approaches such as mindfulness and practicing yoga can also help those with a muscle relaxer addiction. They can help to reduce stress and support mental health.

Are Muscle Relaxers Addictive? Seek Out More Information

If you or a loved one has been taking muscle relaxers and believes a drug addiction has formed, you can seek treatment. Different types of help are available to help you get back on track and live a healthy life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Are Muscle Relaxers Addictive