What is Flexeril?
Flexeril, the brand name for cyclobenzaprine, is a common prescription muscle relaxer. It acts on the central nervous system and prevents pain signals and sensations from traveling between the brain and damaged muscles.
One of the biggest problems with prescription medications like this one is that many people falsely believe that they are always safe. Flexeril is not right for every type of pain or every type of person. But is Flexeril addictive? The short answer is, yes, it may be.
Is Flexeril Addictive?
For several decades, low back pain has consistently ranked among the top five most common reasons for doctor visits in the United States. According to guidelines set by the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians, prescription drugs should not be the first step.
Acetaminophen and NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be the first-line treatment for most people with low back pain. But some pains may not respond to NSAIDs and acetaminophen. And not all doctors will enforce starting there, either.
These two discrepancies may explain why 35% of patients with nonspecific low back pain are prescribed muscle relaxants, despite warnings that they should not be used as primary treatments. The potential for misuse starts here.
How Addictive is Flexeril?
Although it is generally considered less addictive than many other prescription medications, Flexeril can be addictive. For people with pain that is unresponsive to less intensive relief methods, Flexeril’s pain-blocking effects can lead to abuse and addiction.
Prescription muscle relaxants are proven to be effective for short-term pain relief. But if the pain hasn’t resolved or a patient hasn’t found alternative pain relief methods, they may not feel compelled to stop taking Flexeril when they should.
One study showed that 44.5% of patients on muscle relaxants ended up taking them for over a year. And long-term use can prove problematic.
Common Usage of Muscle Relaxant Prescriptions
Flexeril and other prescription muscle relaxers are generally used for the relief of short-term pain and discomfort. Some of the most common reasons a doctor might prescribe Flexeril include muscle injuries, spasms, sprains, and strains.
Those with musculoskeletal disorders like fibromyalgia may also benefit from prescription Flexeril. In most cases, doctors who prescribe Flexeril also recommend physical therapy alongside periods of rest.
Potential Side Effects of Flexeril
With appropriate medical use, prescription Flexeril can reduce pain, improve sleep, and increase energy levels for those with severe muscle pains. But it can lead to several unpleasant and potentially harmful side effects, too.
Ranging from mild to severe, some of the most common Flexeril side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Fatigue
- Headaches
If you experience rashes, trouble swallowing or breathing, irregular heartbeats, or chest pains while on Flexeril, call your doctor right away. While these are not the most common Flexeril side effects, they have been reported by some users and can be life-threatening.
Overdoses can also be life-threatening and cause severe health problems. A Flexeril overdose may result in hallucinations, cardiac arrest, seizures, and dangerously low blood pressure. Combining Flexeril and alcohol or Flexeril and CNS depressants may make any potential side effects worse and increase the risk of overdose.
Signs of Flexeril Dependence
One of the first signs of any kind of drug or alcohol dependence is withdrawal symptoms. Flexeril withdrawal symptoms may include drug cravings, anxiety, nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, confusion, and headaches.
While Flexeril withdrawal symptoms are typically milder than many others, withdrawal symptoms, in general, are some of the most common relapse triggers. There are also many emotional or behavioral signs of Flexeril dependence, including things like:
- Taking Flexeril after your prescription runs out.
- Lying to your doctor or switching doctors to get another prescription.
- Taking Flexeril after you don’t need it anymore.
- Physical tolerance, requiring you to need more Flexeril to achieve the same effects.
- Spending a disproportionate amount of time thinking about the drug and its effects.
- Struggling to stop taking it even when you want to.
- Taking Flexeril with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other substances to boost its effects.
Despite their dangers, millions of muscle relaxant prescriptions are distributed each year. If you recognize these signs in yourself or a loved one, help is available. Getting treatment for Flexeril dependence starts here.
Getting Treatment for Flexeril Dependence
Flexeril or cyclobenzaprine dependence can be tricky to overcome. But the tolerance and overdose potential for Flexeril will likely get worse over time if you do not face it head-on. Flexeril has only been deemed safe for short-term use.
After that, managing your pain through less intensive methods can help prevent a long history of abuse, addiction, and relapse. Let us help you break the cycle today. We offer a wide range of comprehensive treatment methods in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Common Treatment Methods in Addiction Recovery
Our customized care plans often include both traditional and creative treatment methods for a well-rounded approach to recovery. Addiction is mental, physical, and spiritual. Recovery should be, too. Some of the more traditional methods we offer include:
- Personalized, monitored detoxes.
- Family counseling.
- Individual and group therapy.
- Peer support groups.
- 12-step meetings.
On the more creative treatment side, we offer art therapy and music therapy, which provide a healthy outlet for expression, boost self-esteem, relieve stress, and help us work toward other recovery goals. These types of treatments are ideal for making emotional improvements.
We also offer meditation, massage, and yoga therapy for muscle relief. The most effective treatment programs are well-rounded and customized. We offer many of the above treatment methods in several settings, including our outpatient alcohol treatment recovery program, where you can choose therapies that best suit your needs and preferences.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatments
Inpatient or residential care for Flexeril addiction is generally considered the most effective option for most. This type of treatment setting offers 24-hour access to medical support, recovery care, and guidance in the comfort and safety of our luxury facility.
Each week will feature a full schedule of traditional and creative treatments, healthy meals, support group meetings, outings, and other activities. Many find that removing themselves from the temptations and triggers they face at home makes maintaining their sobriety easier.
Most individuals with moderate to severe addictions and withdrawal symptoms start with an inpatient program. This may also be the best place to start if you have a history of relapse, an underlying mental health disorder, or other potential complications.
When the time is right, individuals who have completed an inpatient program may transition into an outpatient treatment program for continued weekly support and treatments here while you learn how to maintain your sobriety at home.
After outpatient care, our aftercare and long-term recovery success options include methods like support groups, alumni programs, life skills training, and stress management training. There are different stages of addiction. We offer different stages of treatments to reflect that.
Building Your Road to Recovery
We mentioned earlier that most people start with an inpatient program, including a monitored medical detox, and transition through less intensive programs before ending with aftercare. While this is a common path, it isn’t the only one.
We often refer to the road to recovery as if there is only one, but there are many. Every recovering addict’s experience is different. We will meet you where you are and help you get where you need to be. Call our confidential call line today at 818-452-1676 and find substance abuse rehab programs that work for your unique journey.