A muscle relaxant medication whose intended use is to relieve skeletal muscle spams and pain associated in acute musculoskeletal conditions, flexeril is also widely abused.  With several indicators suggesting flexeril is being intentionally misused or abused, it is not hard to see why concern over flexeril addiction in West Palm Beach is growing.

Flexeril can be snorted and/or taken orally.  Reports suggest that individuals are taking flexeril alone as well as in combination with other illicit drugs in an effort to produce or enhance psychoactive effects.  Feelings of euphoria was reported by some individuals while sedation, relaxation and an increased heart rate were the most common side effects noted.

Regulated by the United States, flexeril is for prescription use only.  And, although is does not fall within most governmental guidelines as a controlled substance, possession of the drug without a valid or current prescription can result in arrest, depending on various state and local laws.

There should be an increased awareness surrounding flexeril addiction in West Palm Beach as potentially critical complications from abusing the drug include cardiac arrest, seizures, hypo-tension and cardiac dysrhythmias.  The most common effects of an overdose to flexeril are drowsiness and tachycardia (excessively rapid heart beat).  The potential for harm increases when combined with other drugs and although life threatening overdoses are rare, they do exists.

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, in 2008, over 9,500 cases mentioned along with over 4,000 single exposures were associated with flexeril.  Additionally, between 2007 and 2008, there was a reported increase of 106% in emergency room visits associated with the drug.

Any individual struggling with any type of addiction, be it to prescription medications, alcohol or other narcotics, should seek help immediately.  Both inpatient and outpatient treatment options are available to those who turn to The Delray Center for Healing.