Soma
Background:
Carisoprodol, otherwise known by the brand name, Soma, is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It is used to relieve acute pain caused by strenuous activities such as vigorous exercise, and is also used to manage operation-related pain. Soma is widely prescribed to ease muscle stiffness, strains, sprains, and other muscle-related discomforts. Soma is a fast-acting drug, usually taking effect within 30 minutes after intake, and its effects can last from 2 to 6 hours. The liver metabolizes Soma, and the drug can be detected in the urine. Soma works by inhibiting pain impulses from being channeled to the brain.
Proper Dosage and Use:
Soma takes the form of round, white tablets, and is available in 350 mg dosages which are taken orally. The purchase of Soma requires a prescription, due to its potential for abuse. When prescribed to take Soma, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. The drug is an effective muscle pain reliever but can be habit forming, which stresses the need for responsible use.
Before starting to use Soma, you should inform your doctor about your allergies. It is also important to inform your doctor about other medications you are taking before starting to take Soma. These drugs might interact with each other and cause complications. It is also imperative that you tell your doctor if you have health conditions such as epilepsy, liver disease, or kidney disease. These conditions may escalate if you start using Soma; therefore it is contraindicated for patients with these conditions. Pregnant and breast-feeding mothers are also discouraged from using Soma, as it crosses the placenta and is also transferred via breast milk. This may cause side effects and withdrawal symptoms to manifest in babies.
While under the influence of Soma, driving and operating machinery is discouraged. This is due to Soma’s reputation to cause drowsiness. Also, alcohol intake while taking Soma is strictly discouraged. Alcohol has a synergistic effect on Soma and could result to a hazardous overdose if taken with the drug.
When taking Soma, do no take higher doses other than the instructed dose that your doctor has prescribed. Do not take it in shorter intervals than the physician has instructed. Soma could be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and take the succeeding doses following the instructed interval. NEVER take double doses of this drug.
Side Effects:
Soma is known to cause the following side effects:
- Drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, tremor, depression, insomnia, depression, irritability
- Nausea and vomiting, stomach upset, hiccups.
- Blurred vision
The following are serious adverse reactions that need to be addressed by a medical professional as soon as possible:
- Loss of sensation, fainting, extreme weakness, lack of coordination, convulsions, confusion, seizures, agitation
- Elevated heart rate
- Shock
- Respiratory depression
- Stupor
- Coma
- Decreased blood pressure
Soma Abuse and Addiction
There are an increasing number of cases of prescription drug abuse, and among these drugs is carisoprodol or Soma. This is a dangerous practice, since it increases the risk of overdose for these substance abusers. Also, substance abusers tend to cocktail drugs to get the desired high, putting them in danger of overdose because of these drugs’ synergistic interaction. Cases have been documented, where the addict has taken significantly high doses which led to comatose and death.
Majority of Soma addicts are students who obtain the drug online, or acquire and smuggle it from Mexico. What’s more disturbing is that addicts tend to sell these drugs themselves, further increasing the number of drug dependents. The hazards are too great to ignore, which precipitates that addicts should seek help immediately.
Soma Addiction Rehabilitation
Addiction is not only a physiological but also a psychological condition. This means that a successful rehabilitation should not only focus on purging these substances from the body, but also on strengthening the patient’s resolve to change.
The very first step to a successful rehabilitation is the process called detoxification. This should be done under the guidance of a medical expert, since quitting "cold turkey" might lead to experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms may discourage the patient from continuing the rehabilitation, resulting to a relapse of the addiction. Detoxification should be done gradually and under the guidance of a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
The next step to a successful rehabilitation is effective counseling. This addresses issues that may have lead to the addiction, so that effective interventions could be formulated. If done properly under the care of experts, there is no reason not to achieve a lasting rehabilitation.
What Soma Addiction Rehabilitation Patients say about Malibu Horizon
The identities of the people writing these testimonials have been withheld to protect their inalienable right to privacy. The names that follow are fictional names of the author’s choosing.
"Being a student athlete means that I constantly have to deal with muscle pain. I used to take Soma to ease my discomfort. I’d be popping the pills constantly, and soon I was taking more, even when I’m not in pain. It began to affect my performance in school and in games. It was then that I had to admit that I have a problem. I told my parents and we came to Malibu Horizon together, and that place helped me get back on my feet." –Kevin
"I already lost my eldest because of drugs. And the whole family was affected. I guess I was too depressed to realize early that my daughter developed a problem of her own. I vowed to myself that I’d do everything that I can to prevent her from suffering her brother’s fate. We talked and she agreed that she needed help. We came to Malibu Horizon and they helped mediate to resolve certain issues, and now, all of us are given a fresh start." –Ulysses
"Malibu Horizon is the best! I’m sober and never been happier than I am now because of you." -Reese
"Thank you. You guys gave me the second chance that I never thought I could have." -Travis
"I’d like to say three things. One, I’m never coming back there again. Two, you guys did a great job. Three, thank you so much for saving me." -Crystal