What is Soma Addiction?
Soma is the trade name for the drug Carisoprodol that is a muscle relaxant. Doctors prescribe this medicine for the treatment of pain caused by muscle injuries like sprains and strains. It provides relief from pain by producing a metabolite called meprobamate, which may cause addiction.
Doctors typically recommend this medicine for three weeks at max, as it is a short-term medication, and in long-term use, it does more harm than good. People usually start taking this medication for pain issues, but some of them extend their use beyond the prescription period, which can lead to dependence.
What types of Soma dose are Available?
Soma is available in the form of a tablet that comes in the strengths of 250mg and 350mg. People can use Soma 350mg or Soma 250mg as per the prescription of their doctor. The typical dose for each person varies according to factors like their age, the severity of their condition, how their body reacts to the medicine, and any other mental or physical health condition that they might have.
Stages of dose?
Childhood and Teenage (ages 0 to 16):
The effects of this medicine on the people below the age of 17 are not known, so they should only take this drug if their doctor finds it safe for them. Using it without seeking advice from a doctor can cause health complications.
Young age and Adulthood (ages 17 to 64):
- The typical dose is 250mg to 350mg, three times a day
- A doctor can increase the dosage after observing the patient and if there is a requirement
- The daily dose should not exceed 1400mg
Old age (ages 65 and above):
There is not enough data regarding the effects of this drug on older people. They can be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine as their bodies might take longer to eliminate it from their system. So, if they want to take this medication, they should talk to a doctor to determine a minimum effective dosage.
What is the fact that makes Soma Addictive?
This medicine can cause a person’s body to feel relaxed, and it also has soothing effects. The primary reason why people get addicted to Soma is that they start using this medicine without consulting with a doctor. That can result in improper dosage and extended use, which are the very first steps towards building dependence.
People often acquire this medicine through illicit means and use it for more than the recommended period, and their body develops a tolerance for it. That means they will require more of the drug to get the effects they were getting previously with a much smaller dose. The higher doses and tolerance towards this medicine can quickly turn into an addiction.
Another reason why people quickly become addicted to Soma is that it is easy to get this medicine without a prescription through illicit means. Due to the easy availability, the misuse of this drug is increasing over the past few years.
Signs and symptoms of Soma withdrawals?
Bodies of people who are using this drug for an extended period can become accustomed to it. This physical dependency makes it harder for them to quit using this medication. If these people try to stop usin 0+aeoiuytrewwiop[rewqertpouyeeg Soma, then they can experience severe withdrawal symptoms, that include
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Hallucination
- Insomnia
- Muscle twitching
- Delusions
- Tremors
- Ataxia
- Loss of coordination
To decrease the chance of facing Soma withdrawal symptoms, doctors recommend instead of abruptly stopping the consumption, lower the intake of the drug gradually.
Side Effects of Soma Addiction?
This medicine can have several side effects that the people who are planning to use it should know. Not everyone who uses this drug experience all these adverse effects, but some people are at higher risk of getting these side effects than others. To minimize the chances of getting these undesirable effects, talk to a doctor, and inform them about the health condition and use of any other medication.
Common side effects:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Severe side effects:
- Fast heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Shakiness
- Depression
- Increased risk of infection
- Seizures
These side effects can last from a few days to a few weeks. Though these can gradually fade away, it is better to tell the doctor about these symptoms and avoid taking the next dose without consulting them.
Precautions to take while using Soma?
There are many health problems this medicine can cause if a person does not take proper caution while using it. People should keep some essential points in mind while using it, which include
People who are allergic to meprobamate or Carisoprodol should not take this drug.
Those who have liver or kidney diseases might also find themselves to be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, so they should consult a doctor before using it.
Avoid mixing it with alcohol and other similarly intoxicating substances, as they can increase the risk of side effects.
This medicine can make a person dizzy, so avoid doing things that require attention, like driving or operating machinery until the effects of this drug ware off.
This drug can have adverse effects on the unborn kid, so avoid using it during the pregnancy.
It can also pass into breastmilk and cause undesirable effects on the infant’s health.
Soma can also interact with other medications, and several mental and physical health conditions can affect how it works, inform the doctor about the use of other medicines and any health issue, before taking this drug.
What happens when you are in Soma Addiction?
Soma addiction can affect all the aspects of a person’s life. People who become addicted to it can find themselves getting away from their friends and family. They spend more and more time thinking about getting and using this drug. They will also distance themselves from the social activities which they enjoyed once. Addiction can cause the overall quality of life to deteriorate.
Is Soma Addiction dangerous?
Soma addiction can be quite dangerous, as many people don’t even realize that they become addicted to this drug. One can spot the signs of extreme addiction which include
- Forging or stealing prescriptions
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Seeking help from multiple doctors to get more medicines than required
- Appearing to have extra or less energy than usual
- Unexplainable mood swings
- Increased hostility
- Taking more than recommended dose
- Claiming to have lost the prescription, so they can get a new one for buying more drugs.
These behaviors show that drug usage is interfering with a person’s wellbeing. It is essential to monitor the use of products like Soma, as a little carelessness can result in misuse of the medication, which did not take long to manifest in the form of addiction.
Types of treatment to avoid Soma Addiction?
If the physician believes that a person is becoming addicted to Soma, then they can initiate the procedure of getting them off this med. Usually, if a person is willing to quit this drug, their doctor advises against stop taking it right away; instead, they change the dosage by lowing how much medicine one was using. Physicians do this to make sure that the chances their patients experiencing withdrawal symptoms remain very low. It can take at least a week or more to get someone off of their medication.
Not all the people who become dependent on this medicine fall into the category of addicts. For some, it is easier to quit than others. If the detox does not work to help curb the addiction, the doctor can refer the patient to an addiction specialist or a therapist.
Exercise or natural ways to reduce Soma Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disease that meant a person has to learn to manage it for a long time. There is no one-step process to end addiction to something. There are various things that one can do to speed up the recovery process.
Socializing:
It is crucial to find people who are not only supportive but also willing to better themselves. For our wellbeing, we must remain in touch with others. It is especially crucial for people who are recovering from addiction. Spending time with like-minded people provides them an environment where they can live without the fear of judgment.
Exercising:
Regular exercise helps increase confidence and resolve in recovering addicts. Most of the people who become addicted to substances tend not to be very active; they had a feeling of tiredness and sluggishness all the time. This lack of activity can increase their addiction.
Physical exercise can help fulfills the body’s urges by releasing chemicals like endorphins, and endocannabinoids, which stop a person from seeking out the drugs.
