Is Cyclobenzaprine Addictive?

Cyclobenzaprine is a skeletal muscle relaxant that depresses the central nervous system and is prescribed in some cases as an adjunct therapy for muscle spasms. It reduces skeletal muscle hyperactivity by working within the central nervous system in the brain stem. Meant to be used in conjunction with things like physical therapy for short-term use, studies suggest that it should not be used for longer than two or three weeks at a time.

Cyclobenzaprine has also been used off-label in other clinical settings for things like:

Myofascial pain from temporal mandibular disorders
Fibromyalgia
PTSD

In cases of off-label use for post-traumatic stress disorder, randomized controlled trials have indicated it can be useful in reducing symptoms, improving sleep, and boosting psychosocial function, but this preliminary evidence still requires extensive research.

Still, it’s not uncommon for people who are prescribed this medication to question whether they have developed an addiction because of things like rebound symptoms, nausea and headaches, sedation, or psychological dependence.

But is cyclobenzaprine addictive?

Is Cyclobenzaprine Addictive?

Recent medical evidence has found that there is a low potential for addiction associated with cyclobenzaprine. However, as with all medications, it is not without its risks.

Compared to benzodiazepines or opioids, cyclobenzaprine doesn’t target the reward system in the brain, so it doesn’t result in euphoria or a high. Instead, it works to depress the central nervous system, relaxing muscles instead of stimulating dopamine.

Given the way it works, it’s not common for people to become physically dependent on the drug, the same as they might for other substances like opioids or alcohol.

That said, there is always a risk of misuse or psychological dependence for prescription medications, and if combined with illicit drugs or alcohol, it can cause increased risks of respiratory depression. Some individuals find that when they stop taking it, especially if they have used cyclobenzaprine for more than the recommended two to three weeks, it can cause discontinuation syndrome, which can feel somewhat similar to drug withdrawal, even though it isn’t.

Getting Help for Addiction with East Coast Recovery

With East Coast Recovery, our day treatment programs make it possible to overcome psychological addictions and co-occurring disorders. Our goal is to provide help for anyone in need through our flexible outpatient programs that provide the resources necessary to overcome a psychological or physical dependence on drugs, understand the effects of drug misuse, and the risks of combining drugs.

Conclusion

If you or someone close to you is struggling with cyclobenzaprine misuse or dealing with discontinuation syndrome, our team can help. Specializing in high-quality, affordable treatment, our goal is to create a place where people are able to focus on their respective recovery with different modalities for each person. Clients get exposed to a range of treatment programs so that they are each able to find the type of holistic and evidence-based therapy that connects best to their needs.

If you were prescribed cyclobenzaprine off-label for something like post-traumatic stress disorder, our team can help you with our dual diagnosis services, offering access to evidence-based therapies for resolving underlying trauma while also tackling things like drug misuse.

Contact our team today at 617-390-8349 to learn about our outpatient programs and how we can help you overcome co-occurring disorders.

FAQ

Is Cyclobenzaprine Addictive?

Cyclobenzaprine is not physically addictive like other illicit or prescription drugs. It works by depressing the central nervous system, so it doesn’t cause a high. However, there is still a potential for a psychological dependence on it, which can look similar to addiction.

Is Dependence the Same as Addiction?

With any substance, dependence is not quite the same as addiction. With cyclobenzaprine, individuals can develop what’s called psychological dependence if they misuse their prescription. For example, cyclobenzaprine is typically prescribed for no more than 3 weeks at a time, but prolonged use and then suddenly stopping that use can leave individuals feeling as though they can’t get by without it.

What Happens if I’m Dependent on Cyclobenzaprine?

Being psychologically dependent means that there is no physical tolerance, dependence, or addiction, but that you, as the client, believe you cannot operate without a given substance.
For example, a client who takes cyclobenzaprine for muscle spasms or pain might believe that they cannot manage their comfort, and they cannot sleep without more cyclobenzaprine, which can look very similar to addiction because of the psychological dependence on the drug. With the right type of flexible outpatient treatment, however, you can learn other ways to control things like pain management, sleep, and trauma without being psychologically dependent on any substance.

What is Cyclobenzaprine Withdrawal?

Cyclobenzaprine “withdrawal” is not actually a drug withdrawal like one experiences with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. The medical term is discontinuation syndrome, and this happens when individuals take higher than prescribed doses or take doses for a longer period of time and then suddenly stop.
Suddenly stopping can cause individuals to feel unwell, like they have the flu, struggle with nausea or headaches, and deal with rebound symptoms. In the case of cyclobenzaprine, whatever the drug was prescribed to treat is typically what individuals feel has rebounded or come back. So someone taking cyclobenzaprine for muscle tension or muscle spasms might experience rebound spasms.

How Do I Avoid Cyclobenzaprine Addiction?

The best way to avoid a psychological dependence or discontinuation syndrome is to use cyclobenzaprine properly, which starts with only using it as prescribed for short-term usage. It should also not be mixed with certain antidepressants, as this can result in serotonin syndrome. You should not mix it with other illicit drugs or alcohol either. If you are struggling with an underlying issue like untreated or unresolved PTSD or chronic pain, our team can help provide access to individualized therapy programs at our luxury treatment center.