Concurrent Alcohol and Soma Abuse

The Problem of Alcohol and Soma Abuse

Abusing Soma (a muscle relaxant) and alcohol (a depressant) together can compound the negative health effects of both. Treatment is vital for someone abusing these drugs.

Soma (generic name: carisoprodol) is a centrally-acting prescription muscle relaxant used to relieve skeletal muscle spasms (especially in the lower back) and associated pain related to acute musculoskeletal conditions. Its therapeutic effects can last from 4 to 6 hours.

Carisoprodol is metabolized in the body into a second compound known as meprobamate. Meprobamate itself is an addictive anti-anxiety medication that enhances activity at a particular type of communication receptor in the brain (the GABA receptor) related to reducing brain activity. Essentially, Soma dampens pain signals between the nerves and the brain, which can have the therapeutic effect of reducing skeletal muscle pain.

Alcohol affects a similar subset of receptor types, but in different areas of the brain. When used at the same time, Soma and Alcohol work together to:

• Reduce brain activity.
• Reduce vital bodily functions, such as breathing and blood pumping.

When used as prescribed, Soma can lead to pain relief, muscle relaxation, and decreased anxiety; however, due to its powerful effects, Soma has been increasingly used as a recreational drug. As with all muscle relaxants, Soma has a very high potential for abuse, leading to a ban on the drug in Norway, Sweden, and Indonesia.

When used with alcohol, a dangerous synergy can result—Soma’s effects are enhanced, making this combination a particularly risky one.

Effects of Concurrent Alcohol and Soma Abuse

While each drug used alone has its own set of effects, use of these two substances together can lead to greatly increased risk.

When alcohol and Soma taken concurrently, users report:

• Greatly increased drowsiness.
• A sense of euphoria, though this tends to be short-lived.
• Intense muscle relaxation, leading to loss of muscle control.

One of the biggest risks associated with concurrent substance use is the operation of vehicles or machinery. Soma use alone, even within the prescribed dosage, has been shown to negatively affect psychomotor performance, despite no subjective feelings of the effects (Zacny, Paice, & Coalson, 2011).

Because alcohol enhances these psychomotor effects, you may use the two drugs together and endanger yourself, believing you feel little to no effects and attempting to drive or perform other tasks.

Signs and Symptoms

The combination of the effects of Soma and the effects of alcohol on GABA receptors reduces overall communication in the brain, leading to similar compounding effects. The symptoms of abuse for each of these drugs are exaggerated by concurrent use, leading to more severe potential consequences.

Signs and Symptoms of Soma Abuse

• Blurred vision.
• Dizziness and loss of coordination.
• Drowsiness.
• Loss of coordination.
• Increased heart rate.
• Chills.
• Excessive sedation.
• Tightness in chest.
• Amnesia and confusion.
• Vomiting.
• Inappropriate (sometimes violent) behavior.
• Unusual weakness and loss of muscle control.
• Weak breathing.
• Coma.
• Death.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse

• Drowsiness.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Disrupted sleep patterns.
• Temporary loss of consciousness.
• Cardiac rate/rhythm disturbances.
• Liver disease.
• Coma.
• Death.

Symptoms of Simultaneous Soma and Ritalin Abuse

• Increase in Soma’s nervous system side effects:
  • Dizziness.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Loss of movement control.
• Impairment in thinking and judgment.
• Problems with memory.
• Increased risk of seizures.
• Coma.
• Death.

Concurrent Alcohol and Soma Abuse Treatment

Treatment for co-abuse of Soma and alcohol will vary based on the type of addiction the individual is experiencing.

Soma users may experience both physical dependence on the drug as well as psychological dependence. In either case, the patient will typically have at least:

• An initial assessment by an addiction treatment professional.
• A period of supervised detoxification.

Detox

Supervised Detox

Withdrawal can be scary for many struggling with substance abuse. Monitored detox increases your comfort and ensures your safety through the process.

It is vital that an individual seeking help with concurrent Soma and alcohol abuse receives professional assistance and supervision, as detox from alcohol and Soma can induce symptoms ranging from uncomfortable to life-threatening.

Many inpatient treatment centers offer monitored detox as part of treatment. During supervised detox, you can get the drugs out of your body while having your symptoms managed to facilitate maximum comfort during the process.

Treatment

Multiple treatment options are available to address the roots of addiction and find effective ways to cope with the stress of recovery.

Residential or inpatient treatment offers immersive treatment in which you live in the recovery facility so that you can focus 100% on your sobriety.

Outpatient treatment will provide multi-faceted care, such as therapy and 12-Step programs, but still allow you to continue living at home as you recover.

Medication assistance may be used in the treatment process. To address a physical dependence on Soma, the patient may be asked to switch over to a long-acting benzodiazepine (like diazepam or clonazepam), then be slowly weaned off of the replacement drug at a rate that is clinically determined to be the most safe and effective for the individual.

Therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, will address rebound anxiety, relapse prevention skills, and aftercare planning.

If you are not sure what kind of treatment might be right for you, call us free at to speak with someone who will help you determine the right type of care needed to get you back on your feet.

Key Statistics

• In 2000, Carisoprodol (Soma) accounted for 21% of all skeletal muscle relaxant prescriptions in the United States (Luo et al. 2004).
• “According to IMS Health(TM), there were approximately 8.5 million carisoprodol products dispensed in the U.S in 2013.”—Drug Enforcement Administration.
• According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the number of people using Soma in their lifetimes for non-medical reasons rose from 3.06 million people in 2011 to 3.69 million people in 2012.

Resources, Articles, and More Information

To learn more, check out the following articles:

• Teen Drug Abuse
• Teen Alcohol Abuse
• How to Help Someone With Soma Addiction

Professional addiction treatment can start anyone battling a substance use disorder on the path to a happier and healthier life. To learn more about rehab programs and treatment options, contact a caring admissions navigator with American Addiction Centers (AAC) free at .