How Antidepressant Addictions Occur

When a doctor treats a patient who suffers from depression, the doctor might recommend antidepressants. An antidepressant is a drug that changes the way the brain reacts to situations that cause depression. Manufacturers offer these drugs under several brand names, including Abilify, Elavil, Paxil and Wellbutrin.

Some of the medications have certain side effects that doctors use for the treatment of other conditions. For example, some doctors recommend Wellbutrin for patients who smoke because the medication reduces cravings for cigarettes. Some people who use these medications, however, might become addicted to them. If you have an addiction to an antidepressant, you need addiction treatment.

What Causes Addiction?

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, up to 65 percent of patients who take antidepressants experience a reduction in symptoms within the first three months of taking the medication. These medications can help those who suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders and eating disorders.

An addiction occurs when a person takes the medication for a set period. From the moment that the user takes a single dose of the medication, his or her body begins to change, and the longer the person takes the medication, the greater the chances of developing an addiction to the substance are. Even if you take the antidepressant as prescribed by a doctor, you can still develop a dependence on the drug.

Psychological Dependence

Those who take antidepressants have an increased risk of developing a psychological dependence on the medication. This refers to the psychological urge to continue with the medication. Some users find that they cannot stop taking the drugs because they fear a relapse of the original condition.

A psychological dependence can come about because of the ritual associated with taking the medication. You take the pill every day at the same time, and you think that you must continue taking it. Even though you no longer need the antidepressant, something in your body or mind tells you that you still need it. An antidepressant addiction treatment program can help you overcome a psychological dependence on the drug. We can help you locate the best antidepressant rehab to help you with your addiction.

Typical Withdrawal Signs

Withdrawal is a process that occurs when your body adjusts to a sudden change in chemistry. If you ever took a prescription painkiller or other prescription drug for a prolonged period of time, you might know how your body reacted when you discontinued the use of that medication. The same thing occurs when you take antidepressants. Withdrawal symptoms are more common in those who take the medication for at least six weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. An antidepressant addiction treatment program can help someone adjust his or her medication properly so the withdrawal process is manageable.

The Mayo Clinic also found that those who stopped taking the medication abruptly experienced more side effects. If you need to stop taking antidepressants, you should talk to your doctor. Your doctor might recommend that you gradually reduce the size of your dose over the course of several weeks, which lets your body adjust to the change naturally. Those who stop taking antidepressants might experience any of the following withdrawal side effects:

• Headache
• Weakness
• Loss of energy
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Disruption of sleep patterns
• Vision troubles
• Shaking
• Anxiety

Are the Symptoms Inevitable?

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, up to 50 percent of patients taking antidepressants experienced some form of withdrawal when they stopped taking the medication. The type of medication the user takes might relate to the symptoms that he or she experiences. The American Academy of Family Physicians found that patients taking Prozac experienced fewer withdrawal symptoms than patients who took Paxil. Antidepressant addiction treatment provide support programs for those battling an addiction to a prescription antidepressant.

Getting the Substance out of Your System

If you need antidepressant detox, you should work with a treatment center. Detox is a method that weans a user off a specific drug. When a person enters the treatment center, the staff ensures that the person discontinues the use of the antidepressant safely. This is a simple way you or your loved one can stop using an antidepressant without experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. When you contact us at , we can locate an antidepressant addiction treatment center near you. You can get the help you need, whether you need it for yourself or someone you love.