Soma Addiction

What Is Soma?

Soma is the brand name for carisoprodol by Media Pharmaceuticals. It is a psychoactive, potentially addictive drug which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1959. Soma has central acting skeletal muscle relaxant properties and is prescribed for adults for the relief of acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Carisoprodol works by acting on the central nervous system thereby blocking pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. Soma itself is slightly dissolvable in water, completely dissolvable in alcohol, and is taken orally and found in either pill or tablet form. Soma addiction is possible from both recreational use and prescription use.

Is Soma Legal?

In the United States of America carisoprodol is not a federally controlled substance. In some states such as Arizona, Louisiana and Nevada carisoprodol is deemed a Schedule IV substance meaning it is illegal for recreational use or abuse but allowed to be prescribed for medical use.

Some street names for Soma include D’s, Dance, Las Vegas Cocktail and Soma Coma. Soma can be bought over the internet without prescription for around $0.45 per pill. Prices decrease per pill when bought in bigger batches.

Effects of Soma

By using a prescribed amount of soma, i.e., 350 mg, there are no addictive effects. Abusing it may lead to several side effects. Soma’s effects have a 30 minute onset of action and lasts normally between two and six hours. Soma effects include:

Analgesia (pain killing)
Anxiolysis (reduces anxiety)
Muscle relaxation
Headache
Sedation
Somnolence (drowsiness)

Some recreational users take soma with other drugs such as codeine, diazepam or alcohol in order to enhance their effects. A person may experience:

Heightened energy
Hallucination
More socialization
More self-confidence

Side-Effects Of Using Soma

Soma, when used in prescribed limit, is not harmful to health. But there are some common side-effects that a person may experience.

Here are some soma side effects:

Agitation
Depression
Dizziness
Sleepiness
Facial flushing
Fainting
Headaches
Insomnia
Impaired motor function
Nausea and Vomiting
Rapid heart rate
Stomach problems
Shaking
Swelling of face/tongue/throat
Tremors

Soma Overdose

It is recommended to follow the prescription’s instructions and avoid excessive dosages. If consumed beyond the prescribed limit, soma overdose happens.

Overdose symptoms include:

Fainting
Confusion
Convulsions
Fast heartbeat
Hallucinations
Vision problems
Shallow breathing
Paralysis (loss of feeling)

If any of these overdose effects happen one should go to the hospital immediately.

Soma Addiction

Soma is usually safe when prescribed by a doctor and the user keeps to the prescribed dosage and should not be prescribed for more than two to three weeks so as to decrease risk of developing addiction.

When abused, and sometimes when kept to the recommended dosage, soma has a potential for psychological addiction as shown by severe craving cycles and increased stress when abstinent from use. A major sign of soma addiction is that a person cannot control himself, despite the negative consequences.

Soma Addiction Symptoms

If you experience a minimum of two signs from the following list within a period of 1 year, it means you have developed soma addiction:

Excessive consumption of soma than the prescribed amount.
Not being able to hold back oneself from consuming soma.
Thinking most of the time about getting soma.
Faking symptoms just to get prescribed soma.
Increased cravings to take soma, even in dangerous situations.
Withdrawal symptoms appear when you don’t get the drug

Soma Withdrawal

Soma has a rapid build of tolerance and can lead to physical dependency. Soma withdrawal symptoms can develop when abstinent and the effects include:

Abdominal cramps
Headaches
Insomnia
Chills
tremors
Nausea
Problems with memory

If any of these withdrawals are felt consult your doctor. If soma is being used as a prescribed medication, or otherwise, is recommended to try to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. This is possible by slowly decreasing dosage until finally abstinent from the drug altogether. It is also recommended, if addicted, to check into either a 24/7 detox center or treatment center. Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous are available to all seeking to quit use of Soma or other drugs.

Soma Detox And Treatment

Soma Treatment

Like any detox, soma detox also takes time and can be life-threatening. Thus it is preferable to consider fully assisted medical detox programs. In such programs, a patient is monitored 24/7 and assisted if any symptoms appear through medication.

Though many people feel like they can quit this addiction at home on their own, it is much difficult in reality. Soma detox allows a person to quit this addiction in a safe and monitored environment. Besides, there are lesser chances of relapse during the detox process at a hospital. Other treatment methods include: