When taken as prescribed, Soma helps relieve pain caused by muscle injuries and spasms. However, like other prescription painkillers, there is a risk of misuse and illicit use, which can lead to dependence and eventual addiction. Quitting Soma safely often requires medical supervision and treatment to avoid relapse.
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What Is Soma (Carisoprodol)?
Soma is a brand name prescription muscle relaxant and sedative that is listed as a Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it has the potential for misuse, illicit use, dependence, and addiction. In addition, the generic equivalent is called carisoprodol.
Moreover, soma targets the GABA receptors in the brain and binds with them. GABA is responsible for calming down pain receptors that communicate pain signals through the central nervous system to the brain. As a result, soma’s sedative effect causes pain receptors to relax and not send pain signals back to the brain, which also causes the muscles to relax and alleviates pain.
Is Soma Dangerous?
Soma is meant only to be used short term due to its addictive potential. It is usually not prescribed for more than three to four weeks. However, even short-term use can cause some people to develop a dependence on it, resulting in unpleasant withdrawal effects if the drug is suddenly discontinued.
Moreover, soma has potential side effects, and when misused:
- Dizziness
- Coordination problems
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Increased clumsiness
- Elevated heart rate
- Stomach upset
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rash
- Numbness
When the drug is misused, there is a higher likelihood of the side effects becoming more severe, leading to increased dangers to oneself and others. In addition, some people combine alcohol with Soma because it creates a state of euphoria. However, combining both sedative substances can increase risks of losing consciousness, seizures, respiratory and heart failure, coma, and death.
Soma Withdrawal Symptoms
The extent of Soma withdrawal symptoms is directly related to the duration, frequency of use, and dosage taken. The longer someone is on Soma, the more likely they will experience the more unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Muscle twitching
- Elevated blood pressure and heart rate
- Confusion
- Problems focusing and concentrating
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of muscle control
- Chills
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
Soma Withdrawal Timeline
The duration of the Soma withdrawal timeline will depend on the severity of dependence and addiction to the drug. Generally, those with more severe withdrawal symptoms usually have a longer withdrawal timeline. Keeping this in mind, the typical Soma withdrawal timeline is as follows:
- First 12-24 hours after last dose: Withdrawal symptoms start to appear as the drug begins to wear off. At this stage, these initial withdrawal symptoms are usually mild and could include nausea, headaches, insomnia, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, and muscle twitching.
- Days 2-5: The intensity and frequency of withdrawal symptoms will increase. In addition, people will continue to experience the initial withdrawal symptoms along with cravings, vomiting, tremors, depression, chills, problems concentrating and focusing, and anxiety. Moreover, for those with severe Soma addiction they could experience confusion, tremors, seizures, and hallucinations.
- Days 3-7: Depending on the severity of Soma dependence and addiction, the withdrawal symptoms typically peak sometime during this period. Once they do, they will gradually decline in severity, frequency, and intensity. Eventually, the physical withdrawal symptoms will completely subside.
- Weeks 1+: Some people can experience lingering psychological withdrawal effects, such as cravings, anxiety, irritability, and depression. Moreover, these symptoms could last a few weeks, months, or sometimes longer, depending on the severity of Soma addiction.
Short-Term Effects & Withdrawal Symptoms
Soma’s short-term effects and withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of other prescription sedatives, which may include:
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Muscle twitching
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Elevated blood pressure and heart rate
- Loss of muscle coordination
For people with severe Soma addiction, short-term effects and withdrawal symptoms could also include:
- Chills
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
Long-Term Effects & Withdrawal Symptoms
Soma’s long-term effects and withdrawal symptoms are directly related to how long the person used the drug, the dosage taken, and the frequency of use, and may include:
- Brain fog
- Problems concentrating and focusing
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cravings
Soma Detox & Recovery
Quitting Soma “cold turkey” is never recommended, regardless of how long it has been used. Furthermore, the longer someone uses Soma, the more likely their withdrawal symptoms will be very intense, severe, and potentially life-threatening. In order to safely discontinue Soma, medically supervised detox is required because it offers:
- Medical monitoring of withdrawal symptoms
- Access to FDA-approved medications to alleviate specific withdrawal symptoms
- Weaning off of Soma with a tapering schedule
- Access to evidence-based and holistic therapeutic modalities
- Individual and group therapy and counseling
- Treatment for co-occurring depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders
Soma Withdrawal Treatment
Detox is just the first part of Soma withdrawal treatment. Once a person is stabilized, they should transition to the appropriate comprehensive drug treatment program based on their individual needs, such as:
- Residential Treatment
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Outpatient Program (OP)
- Aftercare
Contact Phoenix Rising Recovery for Soma Addiction Treatment
Are you struggling with Soma dependence or addiction and want help to quit using the drug safely? At Phoenix Rising Recovery Center, our caring and supportive team offers comprehensive and personalized Soma dependence and addiction treatment programs at our California treatment center. Contact us to learn more about our treatment programs or to start the admissions process today. Together, we can help you achieve a brighter, Soma-free future.
Published: 4/4/2025
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