Doctors often use it with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions like pain or injury.. Dual diagnosis treatment is a saving grace for those struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders. It’s important to treat them simultaneously because they influence each other in a recovering person’s journey. Chronic relapse is a common issue for those with co-occurring disorders.
Comfort Recovery offers specialized care for individuals dealing with the complexities of medication and substance abuse. Our team is equipped to provide education, support, and treatment to those facing the dangers of polydrug use. Treatment for individuals who have mixed often involves a comprehensive approach that addresses both substances use and the underlying reasons for misuse. Detoxification, therapy, and support groups are integral parts of a successful treatment plan.
Embrace Change at Northern Illinois Recovery
- Dual diagnosis treatment is a saving grace for those struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders.
- Comfort Recovery offers specialized care for individuals dealing with the complexities of medication and substance abuse.
- When these substances are regularly used together, the brain chemistry is altered, leading to changes in the reward pathways and the way a person experiences pleasure.
- Alcohol’s effect on the heart could also put us at risk if we’re taking cyclobenzaprine.
- Dopamine gets released through activities that make us feel good (delicious food, good company, a date that ends well — you get the picture).
It’s generally advised to avoid this combination or consult a healthcare provider to understand specific risks. Cyclobenzaprine, commonly known by its brand name Flexeril, is a prescription medication used to treat muscle spasms and musculoskeletal pain. It is not an uncommon prescription, but many people don’t know that combining cyclobenzaprine with alcohol can have serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. In this post, we’ll answer the question ‘can you drink on Flexeril? These substances can be highly addictive, but there are lots of treatment options for individuals struggling with addiction to cyclobenzaprine and alcohol. Combining cyclobenzaprine and alcohol isn’t a harmless mistake—it’s a gamble with high stakes.
Mixing Alcohol and Muscle Relaxers
Even small doses of either substance can be enough to reduce physical and mental alertness when combined. Discussing your full medical and substance use history with your provider is crucial to finding the right approach. Others may accidentally mix alcohol and muscle relaxers, unaware of the risks. This is especially common among older adults or those taking multiple medications without a complete understanding of interactions. Cyclobenzaprine (brand name Flexeril, among others) is a prescription medication that acts on the brain or spinal cord to reduce muscle spasticity.
- After trying various remedies with little success, your doctor may prescribe cyclobenzaprine, especially if your sleep problems are a result of muscle tension and stiffness.
- Typically, cyclobenzaprine has a half-life of about 18 hours, which means it takes approximately 18 hours for half of the dose to be eliminated from your body.
- Metaxalone is a muscle relaxer that is used to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.
- By understanding the risks involved in mixing these drugs, you can protect your recovery and health.
- Cyclobenzaprine (brand name Flexeril, among others) is a prescription medication that acts on the brain or spinal cord to reduce muscle spasticity.
Both substances are processed by the liver, which is already in danger of becoming overwhelmed by alcohol alone. Adding another burdensome to-do list item to its task list is asking for trouble. This last set of effects is the main reason mixing the two is not recommended, since it increases the chances of having a dangerous fall or another accident. Besides, the sedation could land us in dangerous waters if our heart and breathing rate slows down too much, causing respiratory depression. This risk increases when the drug is used recreationally or combined with alcohol or other depressants.
How Do Muscle Relaxers Impact the Brain?
Professional athletes tend to be at higher risk for mixing muscle relaxers and alcohol because of the nature of their jobs. They are often under a lot of physical and mental stress, which can lead them to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows down the body’s functions. Metaxalone is a muscle relaxer that is used to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury. Mixing metaxalone with alcohol can potentiate these effects and lead to impaired coordination, blackouts, and difficulty breathing. Chlorzoxazone is a muscle relaxer that is used to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.
Impaired Judgment and Behavior
Alcohol-related deaths account for at least 5.3% (some estimate as high as 6.0%) of the world’s deaths. Men are three times as likely as women to die as a consequence of alcohol abuse. Even occasional use together can cause dangerous side effects like slowed breathing and poor coordination. Your reaction times and reflexes are slower, so everyday activities such as driving or working with tools are riskier.
Compounded Sedative Effects
Chlorzoxazone can cause drowsiness, lightheadedness, and dizziness. Mixing chlorzoxazone with alcohol can potentiate these effects and lead to impaired coordination, blackouts, and difficulty breathing. Mixing cyclobenzaprine and alcohol can have severe consequences, including increased impairment, addiction, and potential overdose. It is crucial to understand the risks involved and seek professional help if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to these substances.
Support cyclobenzaprine mixed with alcohol groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), offer ongoing support and fellowship to individuals in recovery. After completing a formal treatment program, participation in support groups can help individuals maintain sobriety and connect with others who understand their struggles. If you or your loved one is suffering from alcoholism, dont hesitate.
Long-Term Dangers of Mixing Cyclobenzaprine and Alcohol
Even one drink can intensify sedation and slow reaction times, so it’s safest to avoid alcohol altogether while taking cyclobenzaprine. Even if the person is awake and alert but you’re concerned about their condition, contact a healthcare provider or poison control center right away. They can guide you on the appropriate next steps to ensure the person’s safety. Drinking on muscle relaxers in general can have dangerous effects, such as excessive drowsiness. And more specifically, can you drink alcohol with cyclobenzaprine? Behavioral changes like isolation, forgetfulness, or mood swings may also indicate misuse.
If you or someone you know is abusing cyclobenzaprine, it is important to seek help as soon as possible to avoid these potentially fatal consequences. Mixing muscle relaxers and alcohol can be especially dangerous for professional athletes because it can increase the risk of injuries, impair their judgment, and slow their reaction time. Those most at risk from mixing muscle relaxers and alcohol are those who take muscle relaxers for long-term pain relief or for conditions such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.
Doctors typically prescribe it for musculoskeletal acute conditions to counteract painful muscle spasms interfering with daily function. They will normally restrict the treatment to two or three weeks because prolonged administration tends not to have much additional value and tends to pose a greater risk of side effects. By understanding the risks involved in mixing these drugs, you can protect your recovery and health. At St. Christopher’s Addiction Wellness Center, we offer clear, non-judgmental information to help you make informed, safe decisions. Another reason why cyclobenzaprine and alcohol are a dangerous combination?
Addiction RiskThe combination of Flexeril and alcohol can increase the likelihood of addiction. When these substances are regularly used together, the brain chemistry is altered, leading to changes in the reward pathways and the way a person experiences pleasure. Physical dependence may develop, and individuals may require higher doses to achieve the desired effects. Women are 11% more likely than men to be prescribed medication, but men are 22.9% more likely to misuse prescriptions. Both men and women are most likely to use pain relievers, with 32.5% more men than women using—14.4% of adults aged 18 to 25 abuse prescription drugs annually.
Contact us at Northern Illinois Recovery Center today to know more about our drug and alcohol rehab center. Though not an opioid, it does induce somnolence and dizziness, so doctors usually advise caution in its use. It is best given for a limited time as an immediate option, especially when combined with rest and exercise therapy, and is accordingly best employed as an immediate relief. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant used to reduce muscle hyperactivity and spasms. Muscle relaxers affect our cognition a bit differently but can play a role in this process.
