How Addictive are Antidepressants?

If you’ve ever spent time asking yourself, “Are antidepressants addictive?” then you may have found that it’s difficult to come to a firm answer. While not truly addictive in the traditional sense, antidepressants are routinely abused like other substances. Addiction is a disease that can take hold of an individual in several ways. Although many associate addictions with physical aspects like euphoria or withdrawal, there are mental aspects as well. For some, medication can become a psychological dependence. When dealing with a mental health issue like a depressive disorder or anxiety disorder, prescription medication can be abused. If you’re wondering whether or not you or someone you love may have an abusive relationship with this substance, here’s some information for you. Beaches Recovery can help guide individuals through recognizing the signs of addiction and find the right support.

How Are Antidepressants Addictive And What Happens?

While antidepressants do not often create cravings, they can cause physical dependence to form. This dependence equates to a physical need for this substance. Unfortunately, many individuals who become dependent on antidepressants eventually abuse other substances. This quickly creates a pattern of addiction and abuse.

Antidepressants work over time and need to accumulate before you can feel their effects. Because of this, many individuals turn to additional substances to feel better faster. Alcohol is the most common substance to be combined with antidepressants. Mixing these two substances can cause the following to occur:

• High blood pressure
• Impaired coordination
• Overdose
• Intense sedation

Furthermore, mixing antidepressants with other substances can hamper or delay the effectiveness of the medication. This, in turn, can lead individuals to further abuse drugs or alcohol so that they get what they perceive as faster relief. Unfortunately, this relief is only superficial. The individual’s mood disorder remains, often worsening, while the individual’s substance abuse moves them ever closer to dependency on drugs or alcohol. It is a dangerous mixture.

How Are Antidepressants Addictive And What Effects Can That Have On My Family?

Similar to alcohol, antidepressants have become incredibly common throughout our society. According to statistics reported by Harvard Medical School, approximately 10 percent of adults take some form of antidepressant. Additionally, nearly 23 percent of women over the age of forty take antidepressants.

The most common antidepressants are SSRIs–Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, etc. These have fewer side effects than other forms. However, mood, energy levels, and sleeping patterns can all be affected. These side effects can quickly bleed over and cause turmoil between yourself and your loved ones.

What To Do When You’ve Become Addicted To Antidepressants

Individuals who answer “are antidepressants addictive” with a resounding yes are encouraged to seek treatment. In many cases, pursuing dual diagnosis treatment has proven to be effective in combating this type of addiction. Dual diagnosis treatment works to treat an individual’s addiction to a substance and any lingering mental health issues. This often helps to move someone in recovery away from relying on antidepressants so strongly.

When you attend a drug addiction treatment center, you set yourself up for your best chance at becoming sober. With professional treatment, prescription drug abuse can quickly become a footnote in your life.

Beaches Recovery is located in Jacksonville, Florida. This treatment facility offers nationally recognized dual diagnosis treatment programs. You can pursue treatment for polysubstance abuse, including:

• Antidepressants
• Cocaine
• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Opioids

Take control of your life once more. Pick up the phone and call Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532 to speak with someone today about setting yourself on the path to sobriety. Take an active role in becoming and staying sober and reach out at 866.605.0532 or contact us online right away.