Mike,

I do know that Flexeril is a muscle relaxant. As for abuse I would assume that it would be just because of the ability to help with sleep.

Mike-
The answer to your question is absolutely. It is one of those medications that can cause abuse problems. Because it's a muscle relaxer, it can also have a "depressive" effect on you. I know you mentioned that you are suffering from depression, so if you are taking any anti-depressants, you should really let your doctor know before taking it.

All the information on Flexeril states that it should only be used short term because of the risk of withdraws associated if taken for more than just a few days. Also, alcohol is a huge "no-no" with this medication.

It will make you very sleepy too. You might want to ask your doctor about Skelaxin instead. It doesn't cause drowsiness and the potential for abuse is much less. As with any medication though, there is always a chance of that no matter what the information says.

Good Luck. I hope you are feeling much better all around soon!!

Hey Mike(s), I'm there with you on the depression thing. I abused hydrocodone for about 2 yrs. Had a terrible summer - lost a friend to breast cancer, wrecked my car the day of her funeral, put mother in law with alzhiemers in a home and have been dealing with disposing of her house/stuff... I could go on and on. I handled all these things with the help of the hydro. Then I ran out in early Sept and started withdrawal and major depression. I didn't even realize I was going thru wd. Went to Dr who prescribed Cymbalta for the depression. Well, I had every side effect listed and just saw Dr again to switch anti-depressants. She does not know of my addiction (nor anyone else except the people on this board). Now I'm tapering off the Cymbalta, starting lexapro and just started coreg for blood pressure which was so high yesterday she said I should be concerned about having a stroke! I know what it's like to feel alone and frustrated with taking so many medications, I don't know what is doing what to me anymore. I was off the hydro for 5 weeks when some I had ordered when I ran out came in the mail last Saturday. Timed themselves to arrive when I had a headache from hell, which I was having for over a week. I took 2 right away. :mad:
They helped get rid of the worst of the headache but did not give me the buzz I got off them before. After 5 weeks of craving the drugs, they didn't do it for me anymore. For that I am glad. I have not disposed of them yet because of the headaches I've had on a daily basis, I think from the cymbalta. I feel more depressed than ever and have been having anxiety attacks. It's like now I know that my crutch for yrs doesn't work anymore, I more depressed but happy because I don't want the addiction again. Anyway, I just wanted you to know you're not alone. As far as the Flexeril goes, I'm pretty sure that and Soma-another muscle relaxer- can both become addictive. Like someone said below, try skelaxin. That's the "baby" in the muscle relaxant dept - one dr told me he just prescribes that to teenagers and people that don't need a strong one.
I hope you feel happy again soon. I hope I do too. This addiction thing is going to be life long, I'm afraid, so we have to find other ways of being happy, without drugs or booze. It's hard for me with winter coming but at least there's some good tv on now.
JB