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Soma Abuse

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant that is widely marketed under the brand name Soma in the United States. When taken in higher doses than recommended, Soma causes drowsiness, giddiness, and relaxation. The drug has a high potential for abuse, both by itself and when combined with hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, and similar opioids. In 2007, Soma was taken off the market in Sweden due to problems with dependence, abuse, and side effects. In Florida, possessing the drug without a valid prescription is a third-degree felony.

The drug is prescribed medically to relieve discomfort associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions in adults. Doctors recommend that it only be used for up to two to three weeks. Soma has a rapid onset of 30 minutes, with effects lasting for 2-6 hours. A considerable proportion of Soma is metabolized to meprobamate, which is a known drug of abuse and dependence. This could account for the abuse potential of the drug.

Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicate that more than 2 million US residents aged 12 or older used Soma nonmedically at least once in their lifetime. Many abusers take Soma in combination with other drugs to enhance the effects of those drugs, such as alcohol, codeine, diazepam, heroin, and Vicodin. People who combine Soma with Vicodin claim that the effects are similar to those of heroin. This highly increases the risk of harmful side effects and overdose, though.

Possible side effects of the drug include tachycardia, hypotension, facial flushing, drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, tremor, agitation, irritability, headaches, depressive reactions, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. The drug may have sedative properties and can impair a person’s ability to operate machinery; in addition, slurred speech can also manifest rapidly.

Overdose of Soma commonly produces central nervous system depression. Respiratory depression, hypotension, seizures, delirium, hallucinations, blurred vision, euphoria, problems with muscular coordination, rigidity, headache, coma, and death have been reported with Soma overdose. Death most frequently occurs when the drug has been mixed with other central nervous system depressants such as opioids and alcohol.

If you or someone you know is abusing or addicted to Soma, contact your nearest addiction treatment center. Soma withdrawal must not be attempted without medical supervision. Know that acute withdrawal symptoms include seizure, severe headache, nausea, sleeplessness, and stomach pains.

Post-acute withdrawal symptoms include craving the drug, heightened sensitivity to stress, memory difficulties, lack of emotion, the inability to think clearly, and problems with physical coordination. These symptoms can last for weeks or months after stopping use of the drug, so it is recommended to remain under medical supervision until the symptoms have subsided. After this period, the addict should undergo behavioral therapy and make lifestyle changes to avoid relapse and enjoy a successful recovery.
 

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