Why Trust Recovery Guide Muscle relaxers are prescription medications that depress the central nervous system to relax muscles and relieve pain. When used responsibly, these drugs can effectively treat a range of issues such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, back pain, and more. When misused, muscle relaxers may pose serious and deadly side effects.
Despite the risks, approximately 4.7 million adults in the United States have misused prescription muscle relaxers in 2023, according to data compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Commonly Abused Muscle Relaxers
Muscle relaxers are powerful sedatives that not only relieve lower back pain and neck pain but also relax the entire body and provide a strong calming effect. Below are some of the muscle relaxers that are commonly misused.
1. Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
Skelaxin is a medication used to treat symptoms of musculoskeletal pain. It may be used by itself or with other medications.
2. Chlorzoxazone (Paraflex)
Paraflex is used to treat muscle spasms and pain. It’s typically prescribed along with physical therapy and other types of treatment.
3. Diazepam (Valium)
Valium is often prescribed to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures. Valium addiction can occur when people stop using the medication as indicated.
While primarily known as an anxiety and seizure medication, diazepam is also sometimes prescribed for acute muscle spasm due to its central nervous system depressant effects.
4. Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
Zanaflex is a muscle relaxer that is used to treat spasticity from diseases such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. It can be addictive when misused.
5. Cyclobenzaprine (generically and Amrix)
Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant that is used to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain, injury, and spasms.
While the prescription drug is not considered addictive, it may be misused in combination with other drugs, which can lead to dangerous side effects, including cyclobenzaprine addiction.
6. Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
Robaxin is a central nervous system depressant prescription drug that treats symptoms associated with musculoskeletal injury or Tetanus.
Robaxin isn’t addictive but is commonly mixed with other medications or taken during drug use to enhance the effects of other prescription medications or illicit drugs.
Combining drugs in this way can have harmful effects, including overdose.
7. Baclofen (Lioresal)
Lioresal is used to treat muscle spasms caused by conditions such as spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis.
Baclofen is not a federally controlled substance, though some states have added it to their controlled substance schedules due to growing misuse concerns.
8. Carisoprodol (Soma)
Soma is used with rest and physical therapy to treat pain or injury. It works by blocking pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. This medication may be misused for its sedative properties.
9. Orphenadrine (Norflex)
Norflex is a prescription drug used to treat muscle spasms and pain, and may be used alone or with other medications. Unlike many muscle relaxants, Norflex is known to be habit-forming and is often misused for its euphoric effects.
How Muscle Relaxers Work
Muscle relaxers are medicines that help stop muscle pain and spasms. Doctors divide these drugs into two main types: antispasmodics and antispastics. Both types work differently in your body to help relax tight, painful muscles.
Antispasmodics work by affecting your brain and nervous system. They block certain signals in your brain that cause muscles to tighten up and spasm. Antispastics work by targeting your muscles and spinal cord directly. This helps reduce muscle stiffness and prevents painful muscle spasms from happening.
Why People Misuse Muscle Relaxers
People often misuse muscle relaxers because they’re easier to get than other strong pain medicines like opioids.
Unlike opioids, many muscle relaxers are not federally scheduled controlled substances, which means they face fewer prescribing restrictions. This relative accessibility, combined with their sedative effects, contributes to misuse in some individuals.
When people misuse muscle relaxers, the medicines make them feel very calm and happy. Some people like these feelings so much that they start taking more than they should. Many people also mix muscle relaxers with alcohol or other drugs to make the effects even stronger, which can be very dangerous.
Side Effects And Risks Of Muscle Relaxer Addiction
Every year, doctors give millions of people muscle relaxers to help with pain and muscle problems. When people take these medicines exactly as their doctor tells them to, they are usually safe. Normal side effects might include feeling sleepy, having a dry mouth, throwing up, or feeling very tired.
Side effects of muscle relaxer misuse include:
- erratic heartbeat
- seizures
- respiratory depression
- paralysis
- hallucinations
- psychosis
- anxiety
- liver damage
- changes in blood pressure
- coma
- convulsions
If you think someone you care about might be addicted to muscle relaxers, watch for changes like different sleep patterns, getting sick often, stealing things, or losing interest in activities they used to enjoy.
Stopping certain muscle relaxers abruptly after prolonged use, particularly baclofen and benzodiazepines like diazepam, can cause serious or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Anyone who has been taking muscle relaxers regularly should consult a healthcare provider before stopping.
Treatment Programs For Substance Use Disorder
Physical dependence and addiction can result in serious medical problems, overdose, or potentially deadly withdrawal symptoms. If you or someone you know is addicted to skeletal muscle relaxers, treatment programs are available that can help you get sober.
Addiction treatment options include:
- medical detox
- inpatient treatment
- medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- outpatient drug rehab
- 12-step programs
- group therapy
- short-term residential care
- mental health services
- sober living programs
- aftercare
An evidence-based treatment center can provide essential support to assist you in your recovery journey and greatly reduce your risk of overdose death.
FAQ About Muscle Relaxant Abuse
Browse the following frequently asked questions for more information about muscle relaxer abuse.
Can You Get High From Muscle Relaxers?
Some muscle relaxers can be habit-forming, while others must be taken with other drugs such as opioid painkillers to induce a powerful euphoric high.
Which Muscle Relaxer Is The Most Addictive?
Among the most addictive muscle relaxers is a drug called cyclobenzaprine, also known by its brand name Flexeril.
When taken in high doses, Flexeril produces an intense calm, mild euphoria, and sedation. Signs of Flexeril addiction include taking it longer than needed or prescribed by a doctor.
Are Muscle Relaxers Narcotics?
Muscle relaxers are central nervous system depressants, which means they have similar effects to opioids (narcotics). They are not the same drug classification as opiates, though.
Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.
These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.
- National Institute of Health (NIH) — Diazepam
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537022/ - National Institute of Health (NIH) — Tizanidine
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601121.html - PubMed — Muscle Relaxants for Acute and Chronic Pain
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32279727/