Managing pain can be challenging, especially when it interferes with your everyday life. Whether it’s from a chronic condition, an injury, or simply overexertion, pain often requires more than just rest to improve.  Medicines such as pain relievers are commonly prescribed, but when muscle tension or spasms are involved, they might not be enough on their own, and that’s where muscle relaxers come in. These drugs are designed to address the discomfort caused by tight, spasming muscles. But as effective as these medications are, a common question arises: Are muscle relaxers addictive?

In this blog, we will take a look at how muscle relaxers work, the potential for dependency, and what you need to know to use them safely and effectively.

What Are Muscle Relaxers?

Muscle relaxers are medications used to treat muscle pain, spasms, and spasticity [1].

• A variety of causes can lead to musculoskeletal pain, which can be either chronic or acute. Chronic pain may be due to conditions such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, while acute pain often results from falls, slips, and other accidents.
• Spasms are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that commonly occur in the legs, arms, and back. Depending on which muscle is affected, spasms may make it challenging to extend or bend various body parts. Some potential causes of muscle spasms include electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, overuse, and stress.
• Spasticity refers to rigidity and stiffness that make it difficult or impossible to move specific body parts. Unlike spasms, which are typically short-term, spasticity is often a chronic condition that results from damage to the spinal cord or brain. Some of the common causes of spasticity include cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.

Types of muscle relaxers:

The category of muscle relaxers includes several medications, and these medications are divided into two sub-categories:

• Antispastics (which treat muscle spasticity).
• Antispasmodics (which treat muscle spasms and pain)

Prescription medications that have earned FDA approval to treat muscle spasms and musculoskeletal pain are: Carisoprodol (Soma), Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril, Amrix), Methocarbamol (Robaxin), and Methocarbamol (Robaxin).

How Muscle Relaxers Work?

Muscle relaxers act as CNS (central nervous system) depressants and cause sedative effects, or prevent your nerves from sending pain perceptions to your brain.

In general, antispastic muscle relaxers act on your skeletal muscle or spinal cord directly to improve involuntary spasms and muscle tightness.

Antispasmodics reduce muscle spasms by acting on the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord.

Are Muscle Relaxers Addictive?

Yes, muscle relaxers can be addictive if you use them as prescribed by a healthcare professional. When taken frequently or in large doses, muscle relaxers can produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation, which can lead to an increased risk of addiction.

Over time, the body may develop tolerance to the effects of the medicine, requiring higher or more frequent doses to achieve the desired results. This can form a cycle of dependence and increase the risk of physical and psychological damage to a person’s health and well-being [2].

What Are The Side Effects Of Muscle Relaxer Addiction?

Muscle relaxer addiction can cause physical, behavioral, and psychological side effects. These side effects result from the drug’s impact on the CNS.

Physical Effects: 

• Gastrointestinal problems: Nausea, dry mouth, and constipation.
• Headaches
• Blurred Vision
• Muscle weakness
• Fatigue and drowsiness
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Slurred speech
• Respiratory depression may occur in severe cases, especially when mixed with opioids or alcohol.

Behavioral Effects:

• Drug-seeking behaviour
• Social withdrawal
• Using larger doses than prescribed
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Social withdrawal

Psychological Effects:

• Depression or Anxiety
• Mental Fog or Confusion
• Memory Problems
• Mood Swings or Irritability

How Common Is Muscle Relaxer Addiction?

In recent years, muscle relaxer addiction has become more and more common due to the increased availability and use of medications. Many individuals are unaware of the risks associated with abusing muscle relaxers, mainly when they are used without proper medical supervision. People who become addicted to muscle relaxers may experience severe physical, psychological, and social consequences as a result of their addiction, including overdose, tolerance, and even death [3].

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, about 1.7 million people aged 12-25 misused muscle relaxers in 2018. Additionally, approximately 4.3 million adults aged 26 years or older were past-year abusers of muscle relaxants [4]

Warning Signs of Muscle Relaxer Addiction

If you are worried that someone in your life has become addicted to muscle relaxers, notice the following signs [5].

• They no longer participate in sports or other hobbies that were once important to them.
• They are neglecting their appearance.
• They have begun to ignore responsibilities such as showing up for appointments or paying bills.
• They have had unexplained financial difficulties.
• They don’t associate with friends and family as much as they used to.

If your loved one has been exhibiting these signs, they may be in crisis. Their physician should assess them. Additionally, if they are not addicted to muscle relaxers, these symptoms could indicate another type of addiction or mental health ailment.

Risk Factors For Developing An Addiction

The risk factors for developing addiction to muscle relaxers are [6] –

Psychological Factors: Anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues can make people more susceptible to addiction as they might use muscle relaxers not only for physical relief but also as an escape from psychological problems.

Duration of Use: The long-term use of muscle relaxers significantly increases the risk of dependency. Their body adapts to their presence, and abrupt discontinuation can lead to withdrawal symptoms.

Get detailed insights into muscle relaxer withdrawal by reviewing the detailed guide provided by Renaissance Recovery.

Dosage: Higher amounts of muscle relaxers are more likely to lead to dependency. Patients may start with a prescribed dose, but often require a higher dose to achieve the same effects.

Previous substance use: People with a history of substance abuse, including alcoholic beverages, have a higher chance of developing an addiction to other substances, including muscle relaxers.

Treatment Options Available for Muscle Relaxer Addiction

People who develop an addiction to muscle relaxers may require specialized muscle relaxer addiction treatment [7].

Assessment and evaluation

An assessment is conducted to understand the individual’s history of muscle relaxer use, co-occurring mental health problems, and overall health status. This evaluation helps tailor the appropriate treatment plan and address underlying factors leading to addiction.

Detoxification

In cases of severe addiction to muscle relaxers, a supervised detoxification process may be crucial to manage withdrawal symptoms. Detox aims to safely remove the substance from the system while providing medical support to relieve withdrawal discomfort.

Counseling and therapy

Various behavioral therapies, such as motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, are effective in treating muscle relaxer addiction. These therapies work by addressing the psychological aspects of addiction, helping individuals identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior.

Holistic approaches

Integrating holistic approaches like yoga, mindfulness, and exercise can contribute to overall well-being during recovery from muscle relaxer addiction. These activities reduce stress and support physical and mental health.

Conclusion

Muscle relaxers play a significant role in managing various muscular conditions. While these drugs can offer substantial relief and improve the quality of life, it is essential to use them responsibly to avoid the risks of addiction and other adverse effects. Understanding the types of muscle relaxers, their uses, and potential risks is crucial for anyone considering these treatments.