If you have been using an OTC nasal spray like Afrin, you might be wondering if Afrin nasal spray is dangerous, and you may be uncertain whether it’s possible to develop an Afrin addiction.
This guide addresses the issues of nasal spray abuse, and Afrin dependency, and explores how to stop Afrin addiction.
Afrin Dependence
While addiction to Afrin isn’t comparable to opioid use disorder or stimulant use disorder, you may nevertheless experience a rebound effect if you stop using a nasal spray like Afrin after sustained use.
Afrin is a DNS (decongestant nasal spray) that is commonly used for the treatment of congestion, delivering almost instant relief from symptoms. Afrin achieves this by shrinking the blood vessels in your nasal passages and improving your breathing.
Using any DNS like Afrin for three days or more may trigger rebound symptoms of congestion – a condition known as rhinitis medicamentosa. The clinical term means rhinitis that is caused by medication.
Tolerance to Afrin develops if you use this DNS repeatedly. As tolerance builds, many people who take Afrin start using the spray more frequently in an attempt to counteract the diminished effects caused by physical tolerance to Afrin. This will accelerate the development of physical dependence, a condition characterized by the presentation of withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the substance.
While physical dependence often leads to addiction, dependence and addiction are not synonymous. While Afrin dependence is associated with withdrawal – symptoms of rebound congestion – addiction is a chronic brain disorder that involves intense cravings for a substance and an inability to control use regardless of negative outcomes. There is no psychological component to Afrin dependence. Decongestant nasal sprays do not cause the same intense cravings as other drugs of abuse, so while you may feel that you are addicted to Afrin, you will not develop a diagnosable Afrin addiction.
Afrin Abuse
If you overuse a nasal spray like Afrin, this is classified as Afrin abuse. Abusing a DNS may include:
- Using Afrin for more than one week
- Using the spray more frequently than directed
- Trying to stop using Afrin or skipping doses and becoming congested
Abusing Afrin may prevent you from experiencing relief from the symptoms you are treating, and you may also notice that the following symptoms manifest:
- Rebound congestion
- Sinus pressure
- Headaches
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
Can you get addicted to Afrin, then?
Addiction to Nasal Spray
Is Afrin addictive?
The sustained use of Afrin may cause physical dependence, but it will not lead to a clinically diagnosable addiction. If you are wondering what is in Afrin that’s addictive, your body simply becomes accustomed to its effects, with tolerance diminishing the decongestant properties of the nasal spray. Using the same amount of Afrin will no longer deliver the same initial effects.
When someone asks “Why do people get addicted to Afrin”, they are typically describing the phenomenon of rebound congestion triggered by Afrin abuse.
Drug addiction – clinically described as substance use disorder – is a chronic condition with diagnosable symptoms. Central to drug addiction is a driving psychological need for a substance even when it is known to produce negative consequences physically, mentally, and socially. When considering is Afrin nasal spray addictive, it is worth noting that over-the-counter nasal sprays like Afrin are not associated with the cravings or psychological symptoms that mark drug addiction.
That said, it is possible to prevent the rebound congestion associated with Afrin. If you are thinking of using Afrin to treat your congestion, use the spray for no more than three days and limit doses. Using higher doses of Afrin than directed may provoke rebound congestion. If you find that your congestion does not improve, or worsens, you may need to consider using a stronger prescription medication.
For those still wondering “Is Afrin addiction dangerous”, prescription nasal sprays that contain steroids are indicated for long-term use and do not cause a rebound effect in the same way as Afrin and other decongestant nasal sprays.
Why is Afrin Addictive?
Afrin can feel addictive if used for an extended period of time or in excess. This is because the constriction of blood vessels in the nasal passages caused by the active ingredient, oxymetazoline, can lead to a rebound effect when the medication wears off. This means that the blood vessels may become even more dilated than before, causing an increase in nasal congestion.
As a result, some people may feel the need to use Afrin more frequently and in higher doses to relieve the congestion. This can lead to a cycle of dependency, where the individual needs to use the medication regularly to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as severe nasal congestion.
What Is in Afrin That’s Addictive?
Afrin-caused rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound congestion) is not a diagnosable addiction. Rather, those who suffer from recurring nasal congestion triggered by the abuse or overuse of Afrin are experiencing a physiological reaction that involves tolerance of nasal passage tissue to oxymetazoline, the active ingredient in Afrin.
The rebound effect associated with nasal sprays like Afrin has no psychological aspect. People do not crave Afrin in the same way they would crave a chemically dependent drug like opioids. The only reason that drives people to continue using Afrin is experiencing difficulties breathing normally through the nose without continually using oxymetazoline.
Is Flonase Addictive?
Is Flonase addictive like Afrin?
Flonase is a prescription nasal spray indicated to relieve the symptoms of allergies or sinusitis. Flonase is a corticosteroid that works differently than a DNS like Afrin. As well as reducing inflammation, Flonase also disrupts the irritating effects of dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander. Unlike Afrin, Flonase does not start working immediately so you might not feel congestion relief for several days.
Fortunately, Flonase does not trigger a rebound effect like Afrin does, so it is considered suitable for the long-term, although the sustained use of corticosteroid nasal sprays may promote headaches and nosebleeds.
Is Sudafed Addictive?
Is Sudafed addictive like Afrin?
Sudafed is used as a nasal decongestant and contains an ingredient known as pseudoephedrine. When properly used, this substance is not addictive, but any form of abuse carries many risks.
Pseudoephedrine may be abused to enhance physical performance or increase alertness. The substance is also converted into an ingredient used to make the illicit stimulant methamphetamine. Pseudoephedrine is most dangerous when converted into meth rather than when ingested in formulations like Sudafed or when combined with alcohol.
If you use a decongestant like Sudafed as directed, you will not risk addiction developing.
How To Cure Afrin Addiction
There is no cure for Afrin addiction because it is not possible to develop an Afrin addiction.
If you have become dependent on a nasal spray like Afrin, consult your physician and explore alternative treatment options that are safe and effective for the long-term relief of congestion.
Afrin Addiction Treatment
The misuse of a DNS like Afrin is not an addiction, although it may involve physical dependence.
If you abruptly discontinue the use of Afrin, you are likely to experience intense rebound congestion symptoms. A tapered reduction in dosage will mitigate this. Try waiting as long as possible between doses of Afrin. Each day, try to wait for longer before using Afrin.
If you are unable to tolerate the stinging and burning congestion that rebounds after you stop using Afrin, your physician may recommend a saline spray or an oral decongestant.
Even if it is not possible to develop a clinical Afrin addiction, you may still need help with abusive patterns of substance use. We can help you here at Ohio Recovery Centers in Cincinnati.
Get Help for An Afrin or Nasal Spray Addiction at Ohio Recovery Centers
If you need help breaking the cycle of abuse, dependence, or addiction, kickstart your recovery at Ohio Recovery Centers.
We specialize in the outpatient treatment of addictions and substance abuse issues. We also treat mental health conditions and offer integrated dual-diagnosis treatment for those with addictions and co-occurring mental health disorders.
All treatment programs at our Cincinnati rehab involve personalized treatment that includes a combination of MAT (medication-assisted treatment), counseling, psychotherapy, and holistic therapies.To move beyond a life constrained by substance abuse, call (877) 679-2132 for immediate assistance.
