Alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances out there. The fact that it is legal and widely accessible makes it the most abused substance ever created. It can result in addiction, but it is also responsible for many vehicle accidents and fatalities yearly. Although some people are able to control their intake and consume alcohol moderately, many still fall into dependence or addiction.
Dangers of Mixing Flexeril and Alcohol?
Using Flexeril by itself is not common, mostly because the drug’s effects are relatively menial and can only be accessed with a prescription. The only reason it becomes a problem now is that people have figured out that taking it with alcohol makes it even more potent.
Many people take Flexeril with alcohol to boost one or more drugs’ effects. Regardless of the reason, mixing Flexeril and alcohol can be extremely dangerous and, in some cases, put the individual’s life at risk. Flexeril, much like alcohol, is a central nervous system depressant. It can lead to effects like severe drowsiness and fatigue, which can prove harmful in certain situations.
For example, taking the medication with alcohol while driving can cause the driver to lose consciousness, leading to accidents. It is also seen to be a high-risk medication for individuals over the age of 65. This is because the most significant risk they face is from falls, and with Flexeril, the introduced drowsiness can increase the chance of that even more.
Alcohol addiction leads to many negative effects, both emotional and physiological. Alcohol abusers are more prone to conditions of the internal organs, particularly the river. They are also prone to violent and aggressive behavior.
Addiction and abuse are not only alcohol-specific. There are plenty of drugs out there. While most, if not all, are meant for medication purposes, many people end up abusing these various substances.
Unfortunately, many people suffering from addiction combine drugs with alcohol. It is not uncommon to find many people taking their medication with alcohol for various reasons. For example, some may do so because they are already drinking and need to take meds, while others do so to amplify the drug’s effects. Regardless, drugs are not intended to be taken in with alcohol. One such medication commonly combined with alcohol is Flexeril.
What Is Flexeril?
Flexeril and Amrix are brand names for a prescription muscle relaxer known as Cyclobenzaprine. The drug is used to stop certain signals from the muscles from reaching the brain. Such messages generally relate to pain, injuries, and spasms. Taking the medicine allows the muscle to relax, relieving the patient of any painful sensations. Without this medication, recovery from such conditions may take longer and create more pain in the body.
As to its origins, Cyclobenzaprine was first approved back in 1977 and sold in two forms: extended-release and immediate. As these descriptions suggest, these refer to how quickly the drug’s effects kick in, one being slowly released over time, the other almost immediately. Regardless of how fast the effects start to show, the drug’s main job is to treat short-term pain caused by muscle spasms, strains, and other injuries.
The drug is commonly used in physical therapy and exercise to help the muscles relax and address any injuries or pain. The distribution of the drug is highly restricted and requires a doctor’s prescription. They will not prescribe it for longer than three weeks, although such prescriptions’ time periods differ from case to case. Some may be prescribed as little as one week, while others well over three weeks.
How Long Does Flexeril Last?
How long the drug lasts in the body will typically fall anywhere between a day or two and up to eight or nine days. The half-life of the drug is anywhere between eight to thirty plus hours. Note that this still does not show how long the actual drug stays in the body. Urine tests may show a positive on Flexeril even ten days after the individual has used the substance.
With that in mind, the average time that you can expect the drug to leave the body fully is around four to five days. That is when the body has thoroughly flushed the drug out of its system, meaning it is no longer present in the body. Note that it can still potentially hang around in the hair, urine, or blood, meaning it can still show up in some drug tests a few days after.
At the end of the day, it depends on several factors, like the intensity and frequency of consumption, body mass, hereditary predispositions, and so on.
Is Flexeril a Controlled Substance?
Flexeril itself is not a controlled substance. In a sense, it should be easily accessible, such as other over-the-counter drugs. However, it can only be obtained with a prescription, meaning that a visit to the doctor is required to be prescribed the medication. The drug itself comes in various forms. Some are sold as extended-release tablets, while others come in pills and capsules.
Is Flexeril Addictive?
As previously mentioned, Flexeril by itself is not too commonly used on its own, given its weak effects. The only reason it can ever become addictive is by pairing it with another central nervous system depressant to amplify one or the other’s effects. In other words, when paired with alcohol, Flexeril becomes an addictive substance.
Because the drug itself is not addictive, it is not classified as a controlled substance like narcotics. This goes to show that the United States Drug Enforcement Administration does not see the abuse of Flexeril and other Cyclobenzaprine drugs to be of huge concern yet. Still, the drug is only ever accessible with a prescription, meaning that it is still controlled to a certain extent.
Conclusion
Flexeril and other Cyclobenzaprine drugs are made for a reason. Their job is to help individuals recover from muscle pain and injuries by keeping the muscles relaxed and pain-free. They are not intended to harm but inappropriately used, will end up doing so.
That being said, if you are using Flexeril or other brands of Cyclobenzaprine, be vigilant. Although the effects are relaxing, sticking to the prescription and using it as intended is vital to ensure you do not abuse the drug and become addicted. Addiction is a problem that is hard to address, and once it is started, there is a chance for success, but it is a long and hard road. Do not put yourself in harm’s way, and always remind yourself that the drug is there to help you heal and nothing more.
On that note, if you know anyone addicted to drugs, do not be afraid to look for an addiction treatment center. It is never too late to start, but the earlier you undergo an addiction treatment program, the higher your chances of success! Remember, addiction does not only hurt the user. It hurts everyone around the user, from friends to family. With that in mind, take the time to locate the perfect addiction treatment center for them. This way, not only are you breaking down the walls between the addict and help, but you are paving a path to a much better life for the afflicted individual.