Soma is the brand name for Carisoprodol, a dRug that is also sold under the name Vanadom. It is a muscle relaxant that has a quick onset and produces feelings of sedation and relaxation, making it popular with recreational users. In this guide we’ll ask, Is Carisoprodol Addictive and we’ll look at the treatments available to those who have found themselves stuck in the cycle of abuse.
Is Carisoprodol Addictive?
Soma is indeed addictive. In fact, it is often only prescribed for short-term use, typically 2 weeks to 3 weeks. This helps to reduce the risk of Carisoprodol addiction developing. However, there are exceptions and a physician may prescribe the drug for longer if the patient has no history of abuse or if they are in serious pain/discomfort and find that Carisoprodol helps to reduce this.
Carisoprodol Addiction
As mentioned above, Carisoprodol addiction is very real and it doesn’t take very long to develop. Like other addictions, Carisoprodol addiction develops because of repeated use, with the user becoming reliant on the drug and developing a tolerance that means they need more and more to get the same effects. And as they consume more, then the addiction worsens.
The signs of Soma addiction are similar to the signs of other addictions, especially addictions to drugs like Xanax. The user may be agitated, they will find it difficult to think about anything other than where they are going to get their next fixed from and they will do everything they can to avoid the onset of Carisoprodol withdrawal symptoms (discussed in more details below).
Carisoprodol Addiction Symptoms
The following symptoms may be present in someone who has developed an addiction to Soma. These are essentially a combination of the effects of Soma (but present over the long-term and noticeable on a daily basis) and the symptoms of general addiction.
- Constantly Distracted
- Sleeping a Lot
- Stressed/Angry When Without their Fix
- Very Sedate/Fatigued All of the Time
- Slurred Speech
Carisoprodol and Opiates
Carisoprodol is often used in combination with opiates like codeine as users report that it increases the effects of these drugs. We don’t condone substance abuse here on Addictive Addiction and are not going to recommend that you do the same, not when there is a significant health risk with combining drugs like this. However, there might be something in this for opiate addicts who want to taper or go cold turkey. In such cases, however, you should seek medical advice as everyone’s situation is different.
What’s more, both of these drugs can greatly impact your cardiovascular system, slowing your breathing and increasing the risk of overdose and death. You may actually have been prescribed both of these drugs by your doctor as both can help with moderate to severe pain. However, in those cases the physician should have factored in tolerance, risk/benefits, and will have likely ensured that you are on a safe dose of both.
Soma / Carisoprodol Withdrawal
Carisoprodol withdrawal can kick-in within a matter of hours after the last dose has worn off. It takes some time before it gets to this point and users typically need to be using large amounts of them long before physical withdrawal symptoms take hold, but prior to that psychological withdrawals and cravings can make the situation feel a lot worse than it actually is.
The withdrawal from Carisoprodol is generally not considered to be as severe as withdrawal from opiates or from drugs like Valium, but it produces both mental and physical effects and is a very real and very uncomfortable time for anyone with Carisoprodol addiction.
Carisoprodol Withdrawal Symptoms
Soma withdrawal symptoms can vary in nature and typically include the following:
- Intense Cravings
- Sensitivity to Stress and High Emotions
- Short-Term Memory Loss
- Insomnia
- Coordination Problems
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Increased Heart Rate
- Stomach Discomfort
- Tremors
- Muddled Thinking
Carisoprodol Withdrawal Timeline
The good news is that Carisoprodol withdrawal doesn’t last for long. Typically the worst of the Soma withdrawal symptoms will disappear within 48 hours, but there can be some lingering effects after this. There are suggestions that Carisoprodol withdrawal can include something known as PAWS, which stands for Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome.
This is often associated with opiate and opioid withdrawal and is a long, drawn-out process that leaves the addict feeling a general malaise as they struggle to come to terms with their newfound sobriety. There are psychological and physical effects associated with Carisoprodol, ranging from insomnia and cravings to restless leg syndrome and aches and pains.
The best way to get though this is to just try and get on with your life. The more you keep yourself busy, the less these symptoms will be felt. Also, while PAWS can make an appearance in Carisoprodol withdrawal and can drag on for weeks and even months, it should only affect those who have taken large doses of Soma for long periods of time (years, as opposed to months).
What Does Carisoprodol Feel Like?
Soma has a very sedative effect. It’s fairly short-lived, but it has a quick onset and leaves the user feeling very tired and relaxed. The effects of Carisoprodol are often compared to quantity of alcohol. This is something that you will find with many drugs (such as 30 mg of codeine equals 2 shots of whiskey) and most of the time it just doesn’t add up as those drugs don’t produce similar effects.
It’s a different story with Soma though as many users report to feeling like they have had a little to drink. It is hard to compare a quantity of alcohol to a quantity of Carisoprodol because tolerance, weight and experience means that everyone reacts differently to both of these substances, but typically uses report that 1 or 2 tablets of 250mg relates to what they would describe as moderate alcohol intake, which could be anywhere from a couple of units to 8 or 10 units, depending on tolerance.
The way it slows down your body and your brain, as well as the reduced inhibitions and the tiredness, are all comparable to alcohol. This is another reason why you should avoid combining Carisoprodol with alcohol, because you’ll be increasing the effects, the risks and the dangers of both by doing so.
Soma Dangers
There are some potential dangers with the use of Soma if you have preexisting health conditions. The label warns against using the drug if you have liver disease and kidney disease, as well as a history of seizures. In reality, you may still be prescribed the drug if you have these conditions in your history, but that will be at the discretion of your physician and will be based on your medical history.
You should also avoid taking Soma if you have a condition known as Porphria, or if you are allergic to Soma and Meprobamate. It may also be passed through the breast milk, so should not be taken when pregnant or lactating. It should also be avoided by anyone with a history of substance abuse and anyone under the age of 16, as there is a greater risk in both cases.
Avoid taking Soma with alcohol, opiates, sedatives and other such drugs as the risk of issues developing greatly increases.