Soma (Carisoprodol) is a prescription drug prescribed for pain associated with muscle injuries or extreme joint and bone conditions. It works by helping to relax the muscles. Taking doses higher recommended can cause side effects such as drowsiness, giddiness, and relaxation. According to the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) [1], the abuse of Soma poses a risk of overdose, which may lead to death, CNS and respiratory depression, hypotension, seizures, and other disorders.
This medication is typically linked with physical therapy and other treatments in order to treat muscle pain. However, some people become addicted to Soma and use it other than how it is intended. Soma detox is the primary treatment for people who are suffering from addiction to this drug.
Data reported in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health [2] indicate that 2,276,000 U.S. residents aged 12 and older used Soma recreationally at least once in their lifetime. In addition, law enforcement officers indicate that youths living in Arizona and California often obtain Soma at pharmacies in Mexico. Soma is sold in Mexico under the brand name Somacid. Prescriptions for Soma and Somacid can be purchased from some doctors and pharmacists in Mexico.
Soma Addiction
Soma Addiction can affect every area of a person’s life. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [3] states that addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder that leads to drug-seeking and using behaviors despite adverse results. Those suffering from addiction will find that much of their time is spent thinking about, acquiring, and using the addictive substance. As a result, they may spend less time with friends and family and stop participating in things they once enjoyed. Medically-assisted Soma detox and rehab can provide tools and resources to get sober. Thus, addiction can quickly lead to the destruction of the overall quality of life.
Some symptoms of prescription drug abuse and addiction are the following:
- Forging or stealing prescriptions
- Taking higher doses than prescribed
- Unexplained mood swings or excessive hostility
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Appearing to have much more or less energy than usual
- Claiming to have lost prescriptions, so new ones must be written
- Seeking prescriptions from multiple doctors
Drug use that interferes with daily functioning is a sign that you may be suffering from an addiction. The use of Soma should be carefully monitored to prevent dependence and abuse. If you are concerned about your Soma use, talk to the prescribing physician. Your physician may want to screen you for physical dependence and other issues. A referral to a mental health professional or a Soma detox at a treatment center may be given if addiction is present.
Soma Overdose
Overdose of Soma commonly produces:
- Depression
- Death
- Coma
- Respiratory depression
- Hypotension
- Seizures
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
- Dystonic reactions
- Nystagmus
- Blurred vision
- Mydriasis
- Euphoria
- Muscular incoordination
- Rigidity
- Headache
Many Soma overdoses have occurred by abusing it in combination with other drugs or alcohol. The effects of an overdose of Soma and other depressants (examples are, alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants) can be addictive. Physical dependence can occur when even when taking the recommended dosage for a longer period of time. Fatal accidental and non-accidental overdoses of Soma have been reported alone or in combination with CNS depressants.
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is one of the effects of Soma intoxication. It happens when a person takes medications that cause high serotonin levels to accumulate in their body. Serotonin syndrome symptoms usually happen within several hours of taking a new drug or increasing the dose of a drug that a person is already taking.
Signs and Symptoms Include:
- Agitation or restlessness
- Confusion
- Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles
- Muscle rigidity
- Heavy sweating
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Shivering
- Goosebumps
Soma Detox Withdrawal
Soma can also cause dependency and often leads to addiction. The physical dependence on this drug happens when the person has reached a situation where if they discontinue taking Soma or reduce the amount they take, they begin to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Addiction to this drug starts when the user begins to act in ways that are damaging to them in order to continue its use. When that happens, an individual may need a Soma detox center to assist them in cleansing the drug from their systems. Without the help of medical professionals at the detox center, Soma’s withdrawal symptoms may be quite serious.
These Symptoms Include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Abdominal pain
- Excessive sweating
- Chills
- Tremors
Long-term effects are those that remain with the patient for a more extended period, sometimes years. They include:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
There have been reports of seizures in patients who took Soma. Most of these cases have happened in the setting of multiple drug overdoses (including drugs of abuse, illegal drugs, and alcohol. This is according to FDA [3]. It is hard to ignore these symptoms as they can present a high risk to the person’s life. Seek medical attention to relieve these effects.
Soma Withdrawal Timeline
Days 1-2
The first Soma withdrawal symptoms will begin to appear. They usually start from 12-24 hours after the last dose. After that, one can expect withdrawal symptoms such as heart rate increase and tremors begin to show.
Days 2-4
Short-term effects such as headaches and irritability slowly start to fade on day 3 and should disappear by the fourth day of the Soma Detox.
Day 5 +
Patients can also experience Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), which includes Soma’s long-term side effects, such as insomnia and anxiety. These symptoms can last for years in some instances.
Medically Assisted Soma Detox
Quitting on your own may be easier, but withdrawal symptoms from Soma abuse may be uncomfortable, and in some cases, even deadly and life-threatening. This can require a medically-assisted detox program where a client has 24/7 monitoring. This is to keep them safe and comfortable. The medical staff in an inpatient treatment facility can help you develop a program to address your Soma addiction. This program is tailor-fit to your need after carefully assessing your condition and health status. Both physical and psychological concerns will be a priority.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) can help provide relief to your Soma withdrawal symptoms, as well as the psychological issues that may arise during this period. As patients go through detox, medical professionals can assess them for underlying or co-occurring mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression. The client can be treated for these conditions while they’re participating in the detox program.
It would be best if you do not end your treatment after undergoing medically supervised detox. The detox process is only the start of your journey towards overcoming your Soma addiction. There are various treatments that you should undertake to ensure that you can maintain your sobriety. Your doctor identifies these programs during their initial assessment of your health condition and the severity of your addiction. Aftercare programs work best for better recovery and to prevent relapse.
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We understand how behavioral disorders and secondary co-occurring addiction diagnoses directly impact each other. We Level Up Florida can instill a support system through our mental health treatments that can make you feel valuable. Call us now for a free mental health assessment! Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at our affiliated facility at Level Up Treatment West Palm Beach.
Sources
[1] FDA – Soma Detox https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/011792s050lbl.pdf
[2] National Survey on Drug Use and Health – https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs10/10913/10913p.pdf
[3] NIDA – Soma Detox https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction
What is the Drug Soma? – Soma Detox https://welevelup.com/treatment/soma-detox/