5.8% (or about 16.1 million people) reported misusing any prescription psychotherapeutic drug in the past 12 months. Many people drink alcohol while using drugs to enhance or otherwise modify their experiences with these substances. If you or someone you know has developed a substance use disorder, working on a plan for sobriety as soon as possible becomes crucial. An inpatient treatment program offers an opportunity to safely detox from drugs and alcohol as a first step before individual and group therapy begins. At Peachtree Detox, our detox and rehab programs in Georgia offer the support and care needed to break free from substance abuse and regain control of your life. When consumed together, the effects of these two substances are amplified, leading to extreme drowsiness, loss of motor skills, confusion, and dangerously slowed breathing.
Short-Term Side Effects of Mixing Muscle Relaxants and Alcohol
25.8% of people aged 18 years and older report binge drinking in the past 30 days. Every day, 261 Americans die as a result of excessive alcohol use, and 80% of these deaths involve adults aged 35 or older. Muscle relaxers are a category of medication primarily used for treating muscle spasms and discomfort. These drugs target the central nervous system, reducing muscle stiffness and alleviating pain, thereby aiding in healing. Her skills extend to instructional design, facilitation, and management, making her a valuable trainer in her facility’s training programs. Pursuing treatment for the use of muscle relaxants and/or alcohol works to protect yourself or a loved one from these risks.
They can help alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms that come with the territory — specifically, muscle tremors and spasms. Baclofen can also help alleviate the anxiety many of us feel, especially in the first days after leaving booze behind. No, drinking alcohol with tizanidine is not recommended because it can enhance drowsiness and dizziness, increasing the risk of accidents and respiratory depression. While the short-term effects of mixing these two substances together are serious, the long-term effects are even more muscle relaxer with alcohol concerning. As with any substance, a significant risk is posed by continually ingesting a drug. All of these effects make it dangerous to operate machinery or drive a car.
It’s strongly advised to avoid consuming alcohol while taking any muscle relaxant. Some individuals mix muscle relaxers and alcohol to enhance the sedative effects or to self-medicate for stress or anxiety. However, this behavior is highly dangerous and often leads to severe health risks, including overdose. Yes, consistently mixing muscle relaxers and alcohol can lead to permanent health issues. Long-term use of both substances can cause liver damage, cognitive decline, and contribute to the development of chronic mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Additionally, the risk of developing substance dependence and addiction is significantly higher, which can lead to severe social, financial, and health problems.
Terms
If you witness someone experiencing these symptoms, encourage them to seek help promptly. Social influences, like seeing others mix these substances without apparent harm, can contribute. Additionally, some individuals seek to intensify the relaxing or sedative effects, leading to a dangerous synergy between the substances. Injuries that result from this effect can be severe and even life-threatening. Motor impairment also makes operating heavy machinery or a motor vehicle very hazardous.
Health Conditions
Since alcohol and muscle relaxers depress the central nervous system, you should never mix them. Here’s what you need to know about alcohol use, muscle relaxers, and substance use treatment. Skeletal muscle relaxants (see Table 1) work primarily in the spinal cord and brain, also called the central nervous system, to block pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. They relieve painful muscle spasms and spasticity due to conditions like acute back pain or multiple sclerosis.
- Alcohol, like some medicines, can make you drowsy, sleepy, or lightheaded.
- These chemical effects lead to the relaxation of muscle tissue and, in some situations, paralysis.
- When it comes to the interaction of muscle relaxer and alcohol, things can get a bit tricky.
- The risk of an overdose is a grim reality when mixing muscle relaxers with alcohol.
Symptoms and treatments
Muscle relaxers reduce activity levels in muscle cells and change how the central nervous system (CNS) transmits spasmodic messages. These chemical effects lead to the relaxation of muscle tissue and, in some situations, paralysis. This combination can also lead to blackouts, memory loss, and an increased likelihood of accidents or falls.
However, before taking a muscle relaxant, it’s important to speak to your healthcare provider about the risks and side effects. Remember, alcohol can intensify the effects of muscle relaxers, and combining the two can lead to an increased risk of overdose. But there is one muscle relaxer called baclofen that some experts believe might help with alcohol withdrawal. Mixing muscle relaxers and alcohol to get a sort type of high is a sign of addiction.
Reclaim Your Life From Muscle Relaxers and Alcohol
To err on the side of caution, it’s best to see healthcare professional as soon as possible, especially if you’ve had more than one drink or don’t drink often. Additionally, both alcohol and muscle relaxers are potentially addictive substances. Long-term use of either or both may increase your risk of developing an addiction. It can treat muscle spasms with severe muscle conditions when a person combines it with rest and physical therapy. Common side effects may include dizziness, irritability, confusion, and headache. Whether muscle relaxers are being taken for acute injuries or chronic pain, it is crucial to understand the risks of mixing them with alcohol.
- They are often under a lot of physical and mental stress, which can lead them to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
- On the other hand, some spasmolytic medications, like the drug Flexeril, take up to more than one week before they are completely cleared from the system.
- It can cause drowsiness and dizziness and isn’t recommended for long-term use or by those with a history of addiction.
- From increased drowsiness to impaired coordination, the effects can seriously impact your day-to-day life.
- Treatment options may include detoxification, behavioral therapy, and counseling to address underlying issues that contribute to substance misuse.
People can find this appealing after accidentally discovering this effect or purposely seeking it out. This can occur as a means to self-medicate with substances or to simply induce “high” feelings. Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being. You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
Many Soma (a brand of muscle relaxer) users respond well to Soma detox residential rehab programs. Adults can take this medication to relieve severe, painful muscle conditions. It can cause drowsiness and dizziness and isn’t recommended for long-term use or by those with a history of addiction.
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. Chlorzoxazone can cause drowsiness, lightheadedness, and dizziness. Mixing chlorzoxazone with alcohol can potentiate these effects and lead to impaired coordination, blackouts, and difficulty breathing.
Alcohol is a CNS depressant, which means it slows down brain activity, leading to sedation, impaired motor control, and slower reaction times. Taking muscle relaxers shares similar properties, which can result in compounded effects when the two substances are used together. Be vigilant for symptoms like extreme drowsiness, respiratory difficulties, severe disorientation, or unusually slow heartbeat. These signs can indicate severe reactions requiring immediate medical attention.
We Level Up can provide information on dual diagnosis and detox programs that may fit your specific needs. Most muscle relaxants last around four to six hours, so even if an individual starts drinking several hours after they take their dose, the medication will still be in their system. Muscle relaxers can be highly potent; even having one drink while on one can cause debilitating, uncomfortable, and dangerous side effects.
If you suspect that someone is abusing muscle relaxers, it’s important to seek help immediately to prevent serious health risks. 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. More than 80 percent of older patients (ages 57 to 85 years) use at least one prescription medication on a daily basis. Mixing the two can increase the effects of both drugs and lead to serious consequences.