Muscle pain is undeniably debilitating, especially if it is chronic and severe enough to interrupt your regular daily routines and habits. Thankfully, countless medications and physical therapy options exist to help those with chronic muscle pain find relaxation and relief.
On the other hand, some of these medications do have high abuse potential. When it comes to taking prescriptions like Soma, it is always in your best interest to understand the risks, know the side effects and talk with your doctor about your concerns, especially if substance abuse has been a challenge for you in the past.
What is Soma?
Soma, also known as carisoprodol, is a prescription medication used to treat muscle pain and discomfort, including acute musculoskeletal conditions such as muscle spasms, strains and sprains. “Carisoprodol is used as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy and other measures for relief of acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions” and to improve flexibility.
Soma is a muscle relaxant that works by blocking pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. It is typically prescribed for short-term use (no longer than 3 weeks at a time), as it can become habit-forming if taken for an extended period of time.
Why is Soma prescribed?
One of the main reasons why Soma is prescribed is to provide relief from acute muscle pain and chronic discomfort and relieve symptoms such as back pain, neck pain and muscle injuries. Soma works by relaxing the muscles and reducing muscle spasms, which can help alleviate pain and improve mobility.
While Soma can be effective in treating pain, it is essential to be aware of the potential side effects. Common side effects of Soma include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Increased heart rate
- Increased clumsiness
- Difficulty urinating
In addition to these side effects, Soma can be addictive if misused or taken in higher doses than prescribed. It is essential to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions when taking Soma and to avoid increasing the dosage without their approval. If you have a history of substance abuse or addiction, it is essential to discuss this with your healthcare provider before starting treatment with Soma.
What are the benefits of Soma?
Despite the potential for side effects and addiction, there are also benefits to taking Soma for muscle pain. Soma can help relieve acute muscle pain and discomfort, allowing individuals to resume their normal activities and improve their quality of life. By relaxing the muscles and reducing spasms, Soma can help promote healing and improve mobility in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions.
What are the risks of taking Soma?
“According to Current Drug Abuse Reviews, carisoprodol causes addiction in similar ways to sedatives like benzodiazepines. This drug breaks down in the body to produce a metabolite called meprobamate, which can be addictive. People generally abuse carisoprodol for its relaxation and sedative effects.”
Abusing Soma can have several adverse effects on the body, as listed by the American Addiction Centers, including:
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Depression
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension
- Extreme weakness
- Cervical spine injury
- Difficulty speaking
- Temporary loss of vision
- Double vision
- Dilated pupils
- Euphoria
- Confusion
- Disorientation
Additionally, you may notice lifestyle changes and unwanted habits beginning to form if your body and brain are chronically under the influence of Soma. These additional indicators of Soma addiction include:
- Needing to take more frequent doses to feel the same effects
- Not feeling the same relief from your prescribed dose and seeking to increase dosing on your own
- Seeking medical advice from multiple doctors in the hopes of receiving more than one prescription for the sake of purchasing more of the drug
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (headaches, body aches and other flu-like symptoms) when you miss a dose or try to stop taking the drug
- Suffering from intense mood swings or unexpected aggression or irritation
- Experiencing changes in sleeping habits, including difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Withdrawing from friends, family and other social situations
- Failing to meet obligations at work or school
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed hobbies and activities
- Spending a lot of time and energy acquiring, taking and recovering from drug use
If you have noticed these symptoms or have been struggling with Soma misuse, help is available and recovery is possible. With the proper medication management, detox program and recovery plan, even those who have battled addiction for an extended length of time will likely find the support they need to persevere through the next step in their journey.
Looking for recovery help?
Whether you are struggling with substance misuse or have a friend or family member who needs intervention, help is available. To contact a trained mental health counselor today, call Silvermist Recovery at 724-268-4858 anytime to learn more.