Dangers of Mixing Muscle Relaxers and Alcohol

Muscle relaxers are medications that are used to alleviate muscle spasms and pain. They’re often prescribed to individuals who suffer from severe neck pain, back pain, and tension headaches. Due to their side effects, many individuals not only abuse muscle relaxers, but they’ll also mix muscle relaxers and alcohol for the high they produce together. Because many people aren’t aware of how harmful this combination is, our drug rehab in Pennsylvania is sharing the dangers of mixing muscle relaxers and alcohol. 

Why You Should Avoid Mixing Alcohol And Muscle Relaxants

So what happens when you mix muscle relaxers and alcohol and why is it so dangerous? Well, the dangers of this combination lie in the way each affects the body. Both alcohol and muscle relaxers work by depressing the central nervous system (CNS), which slows brain activity and functions like breathing and heart rate. Since both are depressants, mixing alcohol and muscle relaxers can have a severe and dangerous impact on the body. 

Some common muscle relaxers include: 

• Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte)
• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Methocarbamol (Robaxin)
• Baclofen (Balcosan) 
• Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• Carisoprodol (Soma)
• Metaxalone (Skelaxin)

These medications may all work differently, but they each work as a muscle relaxant. Generally, the effects of muscle relaxers kick in about 30 minutes after the person takes the medication, and the effects can last anywhere between four and six hours. Benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium) are also taken as a form of muscle relaxant and for pain relief. Benzos are usually not as effective in treating muscle spasms and are much more addictive than muscle relaxers. 

Individuals who have become dependent on muscle relaxers should get help before it’s too late. When a person has become addicted to drugs or alcohol, they may require professional help to recover. At Clearbrook Treatment Centers, we offer a medical detox that serves as the first step for most of our patients. During detox, patients are weaned off of the substance in question with the help of our medical staff. This process involves 24-hour supervision to ensure the individual safely recovers from withdrawal symptoms. 

What Are The Dangers of Mixing Muscle Relaxers and Alcohol?

The effects of mixing alcohol and muscle relaxers may vary in severity depending on how much of each a person ingests. The most common effects of alcohol and muscle relaxants together include: 

• Extreme drowsiness or sleepiness
• Shallow or slow breathing
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Difficulty with balance 
• Impaired motor movement and control 
• Impaired decision making 
• Slurred speech 
• Problems with memory 
• Constipation 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Inability to urinate or difficulty urinating
• Decreased blood pressure 
• Loss of consciousness 
• Liver damage or disease
• Increased risk of seizure and heart attack 
• Increased risk of overdosing
• Increased risk of developing an addiction 

Mixing alcohol and muscle relaxers can also increase a person’s chances of making poor decisions and reckless behavior, such as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Taking both substances together also significantly slows breathing, which can lead to brain damage, respiratory depression, and even death. Addiction is also one of the most common effects of mixing muscle relaxers and alcohol. An individual who engages in substance abuse, especially polysubstance abuse, is more likely to develop a dependence. 

At Clearbrook Treatment Center Pennsylvania, we’re dedicated to helping individuals who are unable to stop using drugs or alcohol on their own. These are highly addictive substances that can be both difficult and dangerous to quit using without help. Our residential treatment is a form of inpatient addiction treatment that helps individuals focus on their recovery without distractions. Patients in this program will live on-site to avoid any addiction triggers or temptations that could disrupt their progress. 

Changing your life and finding purpose in recovery from addiction is possible with the help of our drug rehab in Pennsylvania. Call us now at 570-536-9621 to learn more about our services and levels of care.