Antidepressant Addiction Treatment

The Pros and Cons of Antidepressant Medications

Antidepressants are a class of medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. The medications generally fall into one of four drug classes, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and atypical agents. Some classes of antidepressants may be more prone to misuse, abuse or likely to cause suicidal ideation than others and may require antidepressant addiction treatment.

While these medications are all usually safe when taken as prescribed, they can be dangerous when taken in excess, when continued for very long periods of time, when combined with alcohol, or when abused for potential mild-altering effects.One study, published in theBritish Journal of Psychiatry,determined TCAs had the overall highest toxicity and the highest rate of fatality compared to SSRIs and all other antidepressant classes.

How Common are Antidepressants?

According to data gathered by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, major depressive disorder (MDD) affects more than 16 million American adults (6.7% of the total population) and is the leading cause of disability for people aged 15 to 44 years. Many people with MDD have co-occurring mental health problems, including:

• All forms of anxiety disorders
• Panic disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Eating disorders
• Substance abuse disorder
• Adult ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactive disorder)
• BDD (body dysmorphic disorder)
• Stress

In response to this high prevalence, a growing number of people are being prescribed antidepressants.Survey datafrom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that between 2011 and 2014, one in nine Americans reported taking an antidepressant. Thirty years ago that number was just one in 50 Americans.

Keep reading to find out more about antidepressant dependence, addiction, and overdose.

The Basics of Antidepressant Abuse and Tolerance

Approximately 13% of American adults take antidepressants. Doctors may misdiagnose sadness as depression, putting patients at a higher risk of becoming hooked on prescription medications they didn’t need. Since they don’t get you high or make you want more, antidepressants aren’t like other often abused drugs. Therefore, many people believe that antidepressants are not addictive.

Antidepressants will not have the desired effect until weeks after beginning treatment. Patients may believe the medication is ineffective, leading them to take more. This increases the likelihood of acquiring a tolerance to the medicine. Despite adequately maintaining antidepressant drug dosage, many individuals with major depressive disorders will endure repeated depressive episodes.

Antidepressant treatment (ADT) tachyphylaxis refers to the state of losing a previously effective reaction while still receiving adequate antidepressant doses. Also known as antidepressant tolerance “breakthrough” depression or antidepressant “poop-out,” antidepressant tachyphylaxis is a recurrent depressive episode.

Common Drug Combinations

Those abusing antidepressants for their effects frequently mix them with alcohol, which is a dangerous combination. Mixing alcohol and antidepressants may worsen depression or cause an overdose because of the counter-active impacts of the two drugs on each other. It can also lead to intense sedation and excessively high blood pressure.

Some people face challenges waiting for antidepressants to work and self-medicate with other medications like opiates and marijuana. Doctors recommend avoiding drugs like alcohol while on antidepressants.

Antidepressant Drug Interactions

Other medications, such as migraine, anti-inflammatory, and some asthma medications, can interact with antidepressants.

Taking antidepressants alongside other psychiatric drugs can result in unfavorable interactions. For example, medications that affect serotonin levels may interact with other drugs that also act on this neurotransmitter. Migraine drugs or other antidepressants, for instance, increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which can lead to severe consequences.

Some antidepressants may also interact adversely with other drugs, such as:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Psychosis medications such as clozapine.
• Depression medications.
• Bipolar disorder medications.

Taking antidepressants can potentially result in antidepressant-induced mania or hypomania. These problems arise in people who have or are predisposed to disorders, including bipolar disorder and depression.

Are Antidepressants Addictive?

Although the National Institute of Mental Health doesn’t consider antidepressants as addictive drugs, patients who suddenly stop taking prescribed antidepressants often experience undesired symptoms.

As evidenced by the withdrawal symptoms caused by discontinuing or lowering antidepressant use, antidepressants can develop physical dependence. However, relatively few people give up their day-to-day activities to seek antidepressants since the reward is insufficient.

Taking antidepressants does not result in the joyful rush of dopamine caused by other psychoactive drugs. Antidepressants often cause no cravings, dangerous actions, or long-term addictive behavior.

Even though there are several risks to taking antidepressants, these medications help many people get back to functional and better living. If you are prescribed antidepressants, don’t stop taking the medicine unless instructed by your doctor.

Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms often occur within five days after stopping treatment and may last for weeks. Some people experience severe withdrawals that last for many months. Common antidepressant withdrawal symptoms include:

• Sleeping problems.
• Restlessness.
• Lack of balance or coordination.
• Excess sweating.
• Stomach issues.
• Flu like symptoms.
• Irritability, confusion, and anxiety.
• Electric shock sensations in the head.

Consult your doctor immediately in case of severe symptoms.

Dependence vs. Addiction to Antidepressants

Antidepressant dependence refers to the state where your body and mind adapt to taking the medication regularly. Individuals dependent on antidepressants may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they discontinue or reduce their dosage abruptly.

Antidepressant addiction is a significant, chronic, neurobiological disorder influenced by variables such as genetics, environment, and behavior. It is characterized by behaviors such as impaired control over drug use, obsessive usage, and continuing use despite harm. Relapse is typical with drug addiction, a curable disease requiring a multidisciplinary approach.

Dependence and addiction are two distinct issues. While dependence is temporary and may cause withdrawal after quitting, addiction is a debilitating and damaging experience. Call us today at 877-941-2705 if you or a loved one are battling antidepressant addiction.

What are the Signs of Antidepressant Abuse?

Antidepressant abuse warning signs might be difficult to detect unless you know what to look for. It is critical to constantly monitor a depressed person’s behavior for indicators of addiction or suicidal behavior.

The signs of antidepressant abuse disorder relate to the antidepressant side effects and abuse. Monitor loved ones for mood swings and unusual or impulsive. Other signs include:

• Irrational decision-making
• Isolation from family and friends
• Use of other drugs like alcohol despite the negative consequences

While symptoms may coincide with common side effects of prescribed antidepressant treatment, react cautiously and treat the depressed person respectfully.

How do Antidepressants Work?

Although how exactly antidepressants work is unknown, research suggests they act on specific brain circuits and chemicals known as neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin and noradrenaline are two neurotransmitters connected to mood and emotion.

Neurotransmitters may also affect pain signals delivered by nerves, which could explain why some antidepressants can help relieve chronic pain. While antidepressants help alleviate depression’s symptoms, they do not necessarily address the underlying reasons. This is why, in the treatment of more severe depression or other mental illness, they are frequently combined with therapy.

Here are the main types of antidepressants.

Reuptake Inhibitors like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Reuptake inhibitors are among the most common antidepressants. Reuptake is the process where neurotransmitters get naturally reabsorbed into brain nerve cells after they are released to send communication. This class of antidepressants prevents the reuptake process for efficient communication between nerve cells. The reuptake inhibitors treat depressive disorders by improving brain circuits and regulating a patient’s mood.

The three types of these antidepressants include:

1. SSRI
2. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
3. Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors

Tetracyclic Antidepressant Medication

These include drugs like amoxapine and mirtazapine. Most tetracyclic antidepressants block neurotransmitters from binding with specific nerve receptors.

Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARIs)

SARIs prevent serotonin uptake and also keep serotonin molecules released between nerves from binding at some unwanted receptors.

Can Antidepressants Stop Working?

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Even after depression symptoms improve after starting an antidepressant, many people must continue taking the medications indefinitely to avoid relapse. However, an antidepressant may simply cease working after a while for some patients.

Reasons why an antidepressant may no longer be effective for you include:

• Worsened depression.
• Other medical conditions.
• Some new medications.
• Undiagnosed bipolar disorder and dual-diagnosis.
• Age-related neurological changes.

Medication adjustments improve depressive disorder symptoms in most situations. Your doctor may advise you to adjust the amount of your current antidepressant, switch to another antidepressant, or add another antidepressant or other type of medication to your present regimen. Psychological counseling or psychotherapy is also beneficial.

Because there are so many possible causes for depression treatment to fail, you may need to consult with a medical professional or psychiatrist to determine the best way forward.

Recommended and Unsafe Dosage for Antidepressants

Over 5,500 people lost their lives because of overdosing on antidepressants in the United States in 2020. To stay safe and healthy, people who use antidepressants must adhere to the dosage given by their doctor, and they should discuss any increase with a doctor beforehand.

If a person continues to have symptoms of depression or another mood disorder despite taking antidepressants, they should consult a medical professional. Increasing the dosage of antidepressants without contacting a doctor may endanger the person’s health.

Unsafe antidepressant doses depend on a wide range of factors, such as:

• The class of antidepressants.
• Your body’s metabolism.
• Age and weight.
• Preexisting medical conditions.
• Preexisting mental health issues like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

TCAs often cause the highest number of fatalities. The daily recommended dose of the TCA amitriptyline is between 40 to 100 milligrams (mg), while doctors usually prescribe imipramine at 75 to 150 mg daily. Patients on most TCAs require emergency care if the dose exceeds 5 mg/kg.

When taken alone, SSRIs are rarely fatal. The average fluoxetine or Prozac dosage is between 20 and 80 mg per day. The risk of toxicity and mortality increases significantly when high SSRI doses are mixed with alcohol or other drugs.

Can You Overdose on Antidepressants?

Whether a person has accidentally or intentionally overdosed, the symptoms will usually be mild during the first hour or two, and they will progressively worsen as time continues. One of the earliest warning signs could be a rapid and irregular heartbeat, which typically doesn’t happen in younger people. Symptoms of antidepressant overdose can vary greatly due to the many types of antidepressants. If an overdose is suspected, a combination of any of the following symptoms is cause for an immediate visit to the emergency room:

• Confusion
• Delirium
• Hallucinations
• Tremors and seizures
• Involuntary eye movement and dilated pupils
• Increasingly rapid heart pace
• Respiratory distress
• Unconsciousness
• Coma

Milder symptoms, which should definitely be monitored, can include:

• Anxiety and agitation
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness and fainting
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever

If an overdose is determined or suspected, emergency medical interventions can include stomach pumping and activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is used to absorb the remaining, unabsorbed drugs. Intravenous sodium is used to counteract the effects of the medications.

Once the episode is over, the patient will need to remain in the ICU for no less than half a day and cannot be released from the hospital until an electrocardiogram is normal for at least 24 hours. The patient will also receive instructions about the appropriate psychiatric and substance abuse interventions prior to going home or being sent to inpatient treatment centers fordrug rehabiliation, depending on the case.

Possible Preemptive Antidepressant Overdose Treatment

Speak with your doctor about the potential for switching to a different antidepressant medication or changing the dose, but there are behavioral techniques and therapyprogramsthat should be considered to help address any underlying issues or addictive behaviors that may have preempted the overdose in the first place. These can include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).CBT is a mainstream therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and modifying thoughts that can lead to depression and anxiety.
• Mindfulness meditation and relaxation techniques.During therapy, your therapist can teach you how to meditate and other relaxation techniques to help bring mental clarity while easing anxiety and stress.
• Nutritional therapy.You are what you eat – and that includes mental wellness. Most treatment programs can provide you with information about how to manage your diet so that you have the strength to move beyond issues. Make sure to take advantage of those resources.
• Holistic and alternative therapies.Art therapy,experiential psychotherapy, acupuncture, and biofeedback have all been shown to be effective in helping to address both depression and anxiety.

Emergency Treatment for Prescription Overdose

Anyone who believes they have taken too many antidepressants or suspects someone else has should contact the emergency services. If a person takes too many antidepressants, they may become ill, even if severe symptoms may not appear immediately.

Antidepressant overdoses necessitate immediate medical attention. Doctors may offer the following treatments:

• Activated charcoal to help absorb the drug
• Pumping the stomach to remove the medication
• Reducing agitation using benzodiazepines to calm the patient

A doctor may prescribe serotonin-blocking medication if a patient exhibits symptoms of serotonin syndrome. They give the patient intravenous fluids to help with dehydration and blood pressure management. Once a person’s symptoms have eased, they may require hospitalization for observation.

Antidepressant Abuse and Addiction Rehabilitation

The antidepressant addiction rehab usually begins with a consultation and orientation at a treatment center. The patient or loved ones should visit the institution and discuss medical, addiction, and trauma history with a qualified professional. Healthcare providers then create a detoxification plan to help tapper off antidepressants.

Most rehab facilities offer a wide range of treatment options, such as cognitive and behavioral therapy. Therapy helps unearth the reasons for abusing antidepressants while treating co-occurring problems such as depression and anxiety. Group therapy encourages supportive bonds, and having a robust support system reduces the likelihood of recurrence. Following treatment, steps will be taken to integrate newly acquired sobriety into daily life to reduce the possibility of a relapse.

Below is a summary of the rehabilitation treatment process:

• Assessment
• Medical detoxification
• Therapy sessions
• Aftercare treatment

Since antidepressants aren’t categorized as controlled substances, rehabilitation for antidepressant substance abusers might be challenging. These medications affect particular neurotransmitters and brain chemistry, which can lead to addiction.

The withdrawal period is also more challenging than other medicines due to the drugs’ effect on brain chemistry. Stopping their use may exacerbate depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation. People who use antidepressants to cope with regular life or stressful situations may find quitting harder.

Antidepressants are also frequently taken for extended periods. Someone who has been using them for years will most likely struggle not to rely on them.

Antidepressants & Addiction Treatment Services

Most people try to stop taking antidepressants when they feel they can no longer function without the medications. However, quitting on your own can be extremely dangerous. If you discontinue antidepressants improperly, you may encounter unpleasant withdrawals. This makes it essential for those who want to discontinue antidepressants to have medical monitoring.

Some cases may require only consulting your treatment provider to develop a taper-down schedule. In severe instances, patients may require a constructive substance use disorder treatment plan that allows them to deal with substance abuse disorders and other mental health conditions.

Individuals in treatment plans often undergo detoxification and counseling and participate in support groups. Doctors sometimes prescribe medications to help with the withdrawal signs such as nausea and sleep problems.

• Inpatient Rehab Programs

Inpatient rehab centers are facilities where patients reside for an extended period. This can range from two weeks to a month and can also be long-term, ranging from three to twelve months. Some persons may be eligible for medication-assisted treatment, while others receive just therapeutic care.

• Partial Hospitalization Programs

This refers to getting care in a hospitalized setting where patients do not stay at the treatment centers overnight. Used as a transition from intensive inpatient care, partial hospitalization requires a full-time commitment to addiction recovery.

• Outpatient Rehab Centers

Patients in outpatient treatment plans do not reside in the rehab treatment provider. This therapy model allows patients to receive treatment while handling their work, school, or home commitments. It includes intensive day treatment, counseling, and aftercare treatment.

Potential Issues with Antidepressant Discontinuation

Stopping prescribed antidepressant medications, even after overdose, should not be done before consulting with a medical professional, and people should absolutely never stop antidepressants “cold turkey.” Although antidepressant are not physically addictive, they can cause dependence, so quitting suddenly can cause uncomfortable and even dangerous physical and emotional discontinuation symptoms.

The best way to stop taking antidepressants is to speak with your treatment provider about tapering your dose. In some cases, doctors may prescribe alternative medications to help you cope with discontinuation symptoms like nausea or insomnia. Withdrawal signs can last for up to a few weeks.

For more information on antidepressant discontinuation syndrome and the dangers of antidepressant withdrawal, view ourAntidepressant Rehab page.

Get Antidepressant Treatment Help Today!

Quitting antidepressant drugs, especially if prescribed by a doctor, might be harmful. Anyone attempting to overcome addiction may benefit from medical supervision during the withdrawal period. If you’re looking for rehab-related aid for yourself or a loved one suffering from substance use disorders, explore treatment centers near you with the help of Rehabs Of Armerica.

At Rehabs Of Armerica we are available 24/7 to help you get the dependence and addiction help you need. Our team of professionals can offer confidential advice on the best course of action and choosing a rehab facility. Call our hotline now to choose from a wide range of treatment options nationwide now!