Prescription drug interactions are a common concern for those in recovery from alcohol addiction or those who are currently drinking. Some prescription drugs are dangerous to take with alcohol. Often, these are medications that have similar effects as alcohol. One potentially harmful drug interaction occurs when a person mixes Flexeril and alcohol.
At Believe Detox Center, we are here to help those struggling with alcohol addiction as well as prescription drug abuse. Understanding more about Flexeril and its effects can help shed light on the dangers of combing alcohol with certain medications.
What is Flexeril?
Flexeril relaxes the muscles by depressing the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS primarily consists of the brain and spinal cord. Depressing the CNS essentially slows the activity of the brain and spinal cord, thus, relaxing muscle activity as well. Other CNS depressants include prescription sedatives like benzodiazepines and barbiturates.
What Happens if I Drink Alcohol While on Flexeril?
Drinking alcohol while on Flexeril can also increase the unpleasant side effects of Flexeril. These side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Decreased or slowed breathing
- Loss of coordination
- Low blood pressure
- Slurred speech
- Poor cognition
These side effects can be dangerous. For example, poor coordination can cause a person to lose their balance and exacerbate the existing musculoskeletal issues that Flexeril is treating. In addition, the person can overdose since they might have a lower tolerance for alcohol while taking Flexeril.
Unlike other sedatives and CNS depressants, Flexeril is generally not addictive. However, a person could still develop an addiction to Flexeril. When a person mixes Flexeril and alcohol, they are increasing the chances of developing an addiction.
Why Do People Mix Flexeril With Alcohol?
In some cases, a person could be taking Flexeril with alcohol intentionally to enhance the effects of both substances. This is called “polysubstance abuse” and is common among those with an addiction. Polysubstance abuse is dangerous since the effects of more than one substance occur simultaneously. In addition, some people drink while taking Flexeril because they have a pre-existing alcohol addiction and cannot stop drinking despite the risks of drug interactions.
How to Treat Flexeril and Alcohol Addiction
However, a person taking Flexeril for an acute musculoskeletal condition must take other steps to ensure a successful recovery. They need to find a suitable and safe replacement medication or use other interventions to treat their physical condition. That is why it is important to talk to medical professionals about any alcohol use when taking prescription medications.
At Believe Detox Center in Los Angeles, California, we offer many services to treat polysubstance abuse like Flexeril and alcohol addiction including:
- Inpatient drug and alcohol detox: This is the first step of recovery from addiction. Medical professionals and therapeutic staff help clients manage symptoms of withdrawal. Staying within a treatment facility helps prevent relapse by keeping a person away from triggers and temptations for substance use.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): MAT is an effective way of treating alcohol addiction as well as opioid dependence. During MAT, clients take FDA-approved medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse for those in early recovery.
- Relapse prevention: Learning about triggers for substance abuse can help clients prevent a relapse from occurring. Clients learn about the warning signs of relapse and the importance of lifelong recovery.
- Addiction therapy: Underlying mental or emotional health conditions commonly co-occur with substance use disorders. During therapy, clients learn more about the root causes of their addiction as well as how to cope with these struggles.
- Alumni and aftercare programming: A sense of community and belonging are critical to addiction recovery. That is why Believe Detox has an alumni program to keep clients engaged in the recovery community following their treatment.
With comprehensive treatment, clients can recover from their addiction to Flexeril and alcohol while also improving their coping skills for everyday life.
Get Treatment for Addiction Today
Believe Detox Center in Los Angeles, California, is here for those struggling with addiction to Flexeril and alcohol. In addition, whether a person is dealing with prescription medication addiction, alcohol abuse, or illicit substance use, we have a program to meet your needs. Contact us today to begin treatment for addiction.
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