The Effects of Mixing Soma and Alcohol

The effect drugs and alcohol have on the body can be compounded when they are combined. This can lead to the development of serious medical complications. If you are taking Soma and consume alcohol, then you should understand the effects of mixing the two.

Soma (carisoprodol) is a muscle relaxer and is generally prescribed to treat bodily injuries and musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain. The drug blocks the pain signals between the nerves and the brain. The side effects associated with normal usage of this medication includes drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, insomnia, nausea, tremor, and upset stomach. Because the medication causes side effects that impair thinking and reactions, it is inadvisable to participate in activities that require alertness and consciousness such as driving.

Many people believe that combining Soma with alcohol is harmless, which is not true. The effects of mixing Soma and alcohol include:

• An increased risk of seizures
• Impaired motor control
• Slowed or difficult breathing
• Problems with memory
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness

In addition to that, Soma is known in the medical community for its abuse potential. While carisoprodol is not addictive, the liver metabolizes it into meprobamate, which is the actual source of the addiction.

Meprobamate is an antianxiety medication that is listed under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances as a Schedule IV drug. Even with short-term usage, meprobamate can cause a person to become physically dependent on it, and the withdrawal symptoms associated with the drug are similar to those of barbiturates and alcohol. It is thought that people whose livers are able to metabolize carisoprodol into meprobamate at an efficient rate have a higher chance of becoming addicted to Soma. Using alcohol in conjunction with the medication only compounds the problem.

If you feel that you or a loved one is addicted to Soma and alcohol, help is available by calling our free national referral service for information on treatment for addiction to Soma and alcohol.

Worries of Mixing Alcohol with Other Drugs

• Barbiturates
• Butalbital
• Sedatives
• Depressants
• Sleeping Pills
• Flexeril

Signs of Soma and Alcohol Addiction

Addiction to drugs and alcohol has physiological and psychological components. A person who is physically addicted to a substance must consume it on a regular basis or suffer the effects of withdrawal. Additionally, they usually have to increase the amount of the substance they consume in order to achieve the same affect.

A person who is psychologically dependent on a substance may not be physically addicted but may feel they must consume the substance in order to “get through the day”.  It is more of an emotional craving, and many people in this situation feel they cannot function without their substance of choice.

You or a loved one may be addicted to Soma and/or alcohol if:

• There is an inability to control the amount of the substance consumed
• Symptoms of withdrawal are experienced after cessation of consumption
• There is an increase in risky behavior, such as driving while intoxicated
• Performance at school, home, or work is diminished
• There is decreased interest in activities other than consumption of the substance
• Monetary and/or legal problems arise related to consumption of the substance

Treatment for Addiction to Soma and Alcohol

There are several treatment programs available to assist someone with an addiction to Soma and alcohol. Typically, the treatment will take place in a facility designed to promote recovery and clean living. The recovery process may include the use of other medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and various psychotherapies to help the person understand the addiction and develop coping skills for preventing relapse.

For assistance in finding a professional who can further discuss the effects of mixing Soma and alcohol and who can assist with treating an addiction, call us.