Tag: addiction

Tizanidine can be a safe and effective medication when it is used as directed. But before you start to take it, you should ask your doctor about any potential drawbacks, such as: What side effects does it cause? Is tizanidine addictive? Will you go through withdrawal if you stop using it?

What is Tizanidine?

Tizanidine is a prescription medication that can alleviate muscle spasms, muscle tightness, and severe muscle cramping. In addition to being sold as a generic, it is also marketed under the brand names Zanaflex and Ontralfy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tizanidine in 1996 to treat patients who have been experiencing muscle spasticity as a result of:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Multiple sclerosis
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) 
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Stroke

Doctors in the U.S. also prescribe tizanidine on an off-label basis to treat a variety of other concerns, including:

• Chronic migraines
• Some types of chronic pain
• Regional musculoskeletal pain syndromes
• Treatment-resistant insomnia in patients with quadriplegia 

Tizanidine is typically taken orally in capsule, tablet, or liquid form.

What Does Tizanidine Do?

Tizanidine is classified as an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. This means that it interacts with receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) that release certain excitatory neurotransmitters. 

These types of neurotransmitters increase the speed with which messages are delivered throughout the CNS. By preventing their release, tizanidine inhibits the functioning of neurons that trigger muscle movements. 

This neuronal inhibition can cause an easing of spasms, tightness, and cramping.

Can Tizanidine Get You High?

In addition to its antispastic effects, tizanidine can also cause relaxation and sedation. 

For someone who has been experiencing intense pain due to muscle spasms, these effects may lead to an easing of anxiety and an overall improvement in mood. But tizanidine does not typically cause the degree of euphoric disorientation that is commonly associated with the recreational use of opioids, benzodiazepines, and certain other prescription medications. 

Even when a person takes tizanidine as directed by their physician, they can experience a range of adverse effects, such as:

• Anxiety
• Panic
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Mood swings

This doesn’t mean that no one abuses tizanidine in an attempt to get high. However, given the unpredictability of the drug’s mental health effects, as well as the likelihood of unpleasant results when people misuse it, tizanidine is not a particularly popular recreational drug.

Is Tizanidine Addictive?

Though tizanidine is available only by prescription in the U.S., it is not classified as a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

This signifies that, in the opinion of the U.S. government, tizanidine use is unlikely to lead to abuse and addiction. But even a minuscule risk is not the same as no risk at all.  

So, is tizanidine addictive? It can be.

Compared to the risk posed by opioids and benzodiazepines, tizanidine addiction is rare. Yet it is possible, and people do become dependent on this medication.

Tizanidine Addiction Symptoms

The signs that someone has become trapped by tizanidine’s addictive properties can include:

• Having strong cravings for the drug
• Taking tizanidine in a greater amount or for a longer period than directed
• Exaggerating or lying about physical symptoms in order to get additional prescriptions
• Acquiring tizanidine illicitly, such as by borrowing or stealing it from someone else or purchasing it from unlicensed online pharmacies
• Using tizanidine is circumstances that are particularly dangerous, such as by combining it with alcohol and other mind-altering substances
• Continuing to use tizanidine even after experiencing some type of physical, psychological, or social harm as a result of prior use
• Developing withdrawal symptoms when they abruptly reduce or end their tizanidine use
• Wanting to stop using tizanidine, but being unable to quit 

Side Effects of Tizanidine Dependence

In addition to causing the psychological side effects listed earlier in this post, tizanidine use has also been linked with several adverse physical effects, including:

• Abnormal heart rate
• Chest pain
• Respiratory problems
• Liver damage
• Blurred vision
• Discomfort during urination
• Fever or chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Exhaustion 
• Muscle weakness
• Unintentional weight gain

When a person becomes dependent on tizanidine, the disruptive impact of their continued compulsive use of the drug can include:

• Declining performance in school or at work
• Conflicts with friends, family members, and colleagues
• Financial problems
• Legal problems
• Onset or worsening of mental health concerns

It is also possible to overdose on tizanidine, which can cause symptoms such as:

• Disorientation
• Chest pain
• Slow, shallow, or strained breathing
• Slowed other otherwise irregular heart rate
• Loss of consciousness
• Bluish coloration near lips and fingertips

Anyone who exhibits these types of symptoms after taking tizanidine needs immediate medical attention. If you are with someone who overdoses, call 911 immediately and remain with them until help arrives.

What Happens If I Suddenly Stop Taking Tizanidine?

When you take tizanidine for an extended period, either illicitly or by prescription, your body will begin to adapt to the presence of this drug. Abruptly ending your use of the drug can trigger a variety of withdrawal symptoms as your body attempts to reestablish equilibrium.

Typical signs of tizanidine withdrawal include:

• Hypertension (elevated blood pressure)
• Tachycardia (heart rate above 100 beats per minute)
• Hypertonicity (excessive muscle contractions)
• Anxiety

It is never advisable to alter or end your use of tizanidine or other prescription medications without first consulting with your doctor. If they agree with your decision to stop using tizanidine, they can set up a schedule to gradually reduce your use over time. 

Tapering in this manner gives your body time to readjust, which minimizes the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms and other problematic effects.

Treatment for Tizanidine Abuse

To be most effective, treatment for tizanidine abuse and addiction should be customized to reflect the full scope of each patient’s unique needs and goals. This includes addressing any medical and mental health concerns as well as their compulsive tizanidine use.

Depending on a range of personal factors, an optimal course of care may include elements such as:

• Prescription medication
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• EMDR and other trauma-focused therapies
• Experiential and holistic therapies
• Psychoeducational sessions

Untreated addictions can have a devastating impact on virtually every part of a person’s life. But when someone gets the right type of treatment from a reputable provider, they can end their drug use and begin to build a much healthier life in recovery.

Contact Sanctuary Treatment Center for Help

Sanctuary Treatment Center offers comprehensive, personalized treatment for adults who have become addicted to tizanidine and other drugs. 

In addition, programming options at our addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, California, include detoxification (detox), inpatient rehab, outpatient care, and aftercare planning services. Moreover, our team of experienced professionals will work closely with you to identify the therapies and interventions that best align with your specific needs, goals, and expectations.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.

Published: 6/13/2025

Nitrous oxide is a sedative used by health professionals and the food service industry. When used in medical settings, it blocks pain receptors in the central nervous system and causes patients to relax. In the food service industry, it is used to rapidly pickle vegetables, for craft cocktails, in whipped cream, and to infuse oils with flavors.  However, due to its effects, some people misuse this colorless, non-flammable gas. Regular abuse of nitrous oxide can lead to dependence and addiction. 

What Is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is a fast-acting gas with a sweet smell and taste. It is called laughing gas because of some of its effects. While it is a sedative and central nervous system depressant, it is also considered a dissociative drug. Dissociative drugs can make people feel detached or separated from their bodies or experience hallucinations. 

It is one of the most widely used sedatives in the healthcare industry due to its fast-acting effects, which last only a short time. Dentists and doctors use it to help sedate people for minor procedures that require only a short time to complete. 

Why Do People Abuse Nitrous Oxide?

People abuse nitrous oxide due to the effects they experience when inhaling the gas. These effects include:

• Euphoria
• Calmness
• Relaxation
• Happy
• Giggly
• Light-headed
• Heaviness
• Dizziness
• Tingling sensations in the arms and legs

Is Nitrous Oxide Addictive?

Nitrous oxide is a highly addictive substance, and regular use will lead to addiction. The brain remembers the pleasurable effects experienced while under the effects of laughing gas. So, it develops a craving for the substance and encourages future use. If someone continues to give in to their cravings and continues to use nitrous oxide, they will eventually become dependent on it. 

As they do, they will also experience tolerance to the substance, where they will have to use higher amounts of the gas to achieve the desired effects. Eventually, they may become addicted to the gas and struggle to function without its effects.

Side Effects of Inhaling Nitrous Oxide

Usually, people inhale nitrous oxide from a balloon that is filled with the gas from a capsule or large cylinders. Inhaling the gas directly from a capsule or large cylinder can cause serious damage to the lungs. Other potential short-term side effects people can experience include:

• Headaches
• Agitation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Low blood pressure
• Fainting
• Nere damage
• Heart attack
• Hypoxia

Long-term nitrous oxide abuse can cause these side effects:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Memory loss/blackouts
• Numbness
• Weakened immune system
• Muscle spasms
• Psychosis
• Hallucinations
• Tinnitus

How Long Does Laughing Gas Last?

The effects of laughing gas usually begin to be felt within two to three minutes of inhaling it. When used in a medical setting, the effects last for however long the person is administered the gas. Once a person stops inhaling the gas, the body clears nitrous oxide within five to ten minutes, restoring a normal feeling. All effects typically wear off in about half an hour. 

Recreational use of nitrous oxide affects the duration of its effects based on the dosage. A small dose may last between five and ten minutes. However, inhaling multiple doses or a large dosage could result in effects lasting between 30 and 45 minutes. 

What Are the Risks of Using Nitrous Oxide Recreationally?

Using nitrous oxide recreationally and regularly does have its risks. Frequent or excessive use of the gas can cause low oxygen levels, which can cause dizziness initially. As oxygen levels drop lower, it can cause unconsciousness and, in extreme cases, respiratory failure and death. 

Another risk associated with the regular use of laughing gas is nerve damage. The substance depletes vitamin B12, which is responsible for red blood cell production, nervous system functions, and immune system support. As the vitamin depletes, it causes tingling sensations in the arms and legs. Some might view this as pleasurable, but it can lead to long-term neurological damage. 

There are also psychological risks of abusing nitrous oxide. The gas causes changes in the brain and central nervous system, causing the body to become reliant on it. When someone attempts to cut down or stop using the gas, the body goes into withdrawal as it attempts to function without the gas. 

Additionally, those addicted to nitrous oxide can engage in risky behaviors and impaired decision-making. Some people will inhale any substance from non-medical containers, believing it is nitrous oxide. Doing so not only increases the risk of lung damage but also exposure to other substances, chemicals, and contaminants, which could cause serious health problems, accidental overdose, or even death. For example, Someone could add a small amount of fentanyl to a balloon before filling it with nitrous oxide.

Contact Sanctuary Treatment Center for Help With Addiction

Are you struggling with nitrous oxide addiction and want help to quit safely? Reaching out for help is the start of your recovery journey. At Sanctuary Treatment Center, our caring and compassionate team is here to support and guide you as you overcome your substance addiction. We provide comprehensive, evidence-based and holistic therapeutic modalities tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today to start your path to a brighter, nitrous oxide-free future.

Published: 3/27/2025