Muscle Relaxers: Are They Addictive?

Prescription muscle relaxers can be sources of great relief for people who have been affected by a variety of conditions. But before you take a muscle relaxer or any other prescription medication, you need to understand both their benefits and their potential risks. For example, are muscle relaxers addictive? And, if so, how can you tell if you or someone you care about has become dependent on these powerful drugs?

What are Muscle Relaxers?

Before we explore the question, Are muscle relaxers addictive?, we should take a few moments to discuss what these substances are and why they are typically used.

Muscle relaxers are sometimes also referred to as muscle relaxants and neuromuscular blocking agents. They are prescription medications that are used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Muscle spasms – Often described as cramps, muscle spasms are sudden painful contractions of muscles. 
• Muscle spasticity – This refers to muscles that involuntarily contract and cannot be easily extended again. Potential causes of muscle spasticity include spinal cord injuries, stroke, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis.
• Musculoskeletal pain – This can involve aching, stiffness, and similar effects in bones, joints, ligaments, and other areas of the body.

Muscle relaxers may also be administered prior to surgery to ensure that the patients remain motionless during the procedure.

Types

The two most common types of muscle relaxers are antispasmodics and antispastics. 

Note: In both of the lists below, the medications are identified by their generic name first, followed by a common brand name in parentheses.

Examples of antispasmodics include:

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Carisoprodol (Soma)
• Chlorzoxazone (Lorzone)
• Orphenadrine (Norflex)

Commonly prescribed antispastics include:

• Dantrolene (Dantrium)
• Baclofen (Lioresal) 
• Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• Clonidine (Catapres)

The categories of antispasmodics and antispastics are not mutually exclusive. For example, diazepam (Valium) is sometimes used for antispastic purposes, while tizanidine (Zanaflex) may be prescribed as an antispasmodic for some patients.

Are Muscle Relaxers Addictive?

As you may have already guessed, given the wide range of medications that are used as muscle relaxers, there’s no simple yes/no answer to the question, Are muscle relaxers addictive?

Given the considerable relief they can provide, many muscle relaxers have a risk of abuse and addiction. However, the likelihood that someone will become dependent on a muscle relaxer can vary from one medication to the next.

Two muscle relaxers with a particularly high risk of addiction are carisoprodol (Soma) and diazepam (Valium). In the U.S., both of these medications are classified as Schedule IV controlled substances. In some nations, carisoprodol has been banned due to concerns about side effects and addiction.

How Are They Addictive?

When a person takes diazepam or carisoprodol, the medications cause the body to release increased levels of the neurotransmitter γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). 

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it slows neural activity throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Increases in GABA can cause an easing of anxiety and an overall sense of relaxation.

Unfortunately, when the effects of the medications wear off, a person’s body may be temporarily unable to maintain an adequate level of GABA. This can cause negative effects such as increased anxiety and a higher level of pain. 

In an attempt to relieve their distress, a person may begin to use these muscle relaxers more frequently or in larger doses than advised. This, in turn, can lead to addiction.

Signs & Symptoms of Muscle Relaxer Addiction

Now that we know the answer to the question, Are muscle relaxers addictive?, let’s turn our attention toward how to identify and treat muscle relaxer addiction. 

The following signs and symptoms may indicate that someone has become dependent on muscle relaxers:

• They use the medications more frequently, in larger amounts, or for a longer period of time than directed by the prescribing physician.
• They exaggerate or lie about their symptoms in order to get additional prescriptions for muscle relaxers.
• They try to buy or steal muscle relaxers that were prescribed to someone else.
• They become irritable and agitated when they can’t use muscle relaxers.
• They have begun to use muscle relaxers in ways that are particularly dangerous, such as by combining them with alcohol or using them prior to driving.
• Their abuse of muscle relaxers has caused problems in school, at work, or in their relationships with friends and family members.
• Even after incurring harm as a direct result of prior muscle relaxer abuse, they continue to use the medications.
• They need to use larger doses of the drugs to experience the effects they are seeking.
• They have tried to stop using muscle relaxers, but they were unable to do so.

Once someone has become addicted to a muscle relaxer, they may need professional help to end this self-defeating behavior. In the absence of effective treatment, they may remain at risk for a wide range of negative effects, including overdose and death.

What to Do if You Become Addicted to Muscle Relaxers

If you have become addicted to muscle relaxers, you should be assessed by a qualified healthcare provider. This person can give you an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.

There’s no single course of treatment for muscle relaxer addiction that works for everyone. Determining the best type of care for you can depend on a variety of individual factors, such as:

• How long have you been addicted to muscle relaxers?
• How much of these drugs have you been using, and how frequently have you been taking them?
• How has your life been impacted by your compulsive abuse of muscle relaxers?
• Have you also been abusing or become addicted to other substances?
• Are you also living with a co-occurring mental health concern?

Once your treatment team has the answers to these and other relevant questions, they can begin to develop your customized plan. One of the first decisions will involve which of the following programs are right for you:

• Detoxification
• Residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization program
• Intensive outpatient program
• Outpatient treatment

Within these programs, you may take part in several therapies and support services, such as:

• Individual, group, and family therapy sessions
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Trauma therapy
• Psychodrama

Prior to transitioning out of treatment, you should also receive a discharge plan to ensure you’re connected with the resources that can support your continued recovery.

Contact Los Angeles Detox to Safely Withdraw From Muscle Relaxers

When you’re ready to end your compulsive abuse of muscle relaxers, Los Angeles Detox is here for you. 

Our dedicated professionals can provide the medical and therapeutic support you need to safely withdraw from these substances, then we can help you build a solid foundation for successful, long-term recovery.

We understand the many ways that addiction can affect a person’s life, and we are committed to providing personalized care within a safe and respectful environment, so that you can achieve true and lasting healing in mind, body, and spirit.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.