By Is it true that if you are prescribed antidepressants you run the risk of becoming addicted to them? Would you like to know what to do to avoid a possible dependence on these drugs? Find all the information in the following article.
The increasing prescription of antidepressants raises questions about whether they are addictive drugs. These drugs are not only prescribed for depressive disorders; they are also frequently administered to patients with chronic pain, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, severe phobias or post-traumatic stress.
The first thing you should know is that the antidepressants currently available do not cause addiction . However, in certain circumstances they can cause a situation of “dependence.” This can occur when the person suddenly stops taking the treatment or has been taking it for many years. There are very specific characteristics that need to be known.
Antidepressants are effective, but they should not be used as the sole and exclusive strategy to overcome a mood disorder. Psychological therapy is the best strategy against depression and thus avoids relapses or the continued use of these drugs over time.
Are antidepressants addictive? Here’s what science tells us
Treatment for depression and any other mental condition is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Each person carries with them a history and, in turn, social and genetic particularities that will make them respond to psychotropic drugs in one way or another. The truth is that the debate about whether antidepressants are addictive is often accompanied by more than one myth.
To begin with, there is unanimous consensus among the scientific communities that these drugs are not addictive. They are not drugs like heroin or tobacco. Studies such as those carried out at King’s College London highlight that antidepressants cannot be classified as addictive substances, because there is no indisputable evidence to support this .
In addition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) does not list these drugs as an addiction. However, there are some aspects that need to be clarified.
Situations in which withdrawal syndrome appears
Withdrawal syndrome , in the context of antidepressants, can occur when the medication is stopped inappropriately . This is known as “antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.” Thus, it is common for a person who experiences dizziness, insomnia or irritability after stopping taking antidepressants to consider them addictive.
This response almost always has more than one cause that explains it. Apart from the inappropriate discontinuation of the drug, a 2022 study carried out by University College London highlights that this physical response is due to prolonged use of the drug. Taking an antidepressant for many years has consequences.
However, one thing must be stressed: this form of withdrawal is completely different from that which occurs as a result of drug use . On the other hand, there are patients who confuse withdrawal syndrome with a new relapse of their own depression. Often, the symptoms are very similar. Correct diagnosis is key in these cases.
Antidepressants do not have euphoric effects like drugs, but in some very specific cases they may generate a certain feeling of dependence if treatment is stopped from one day to the next.
Dependency and who experiences it
Some patients conclude that antidepressants are addictive, because they experience signs of dependence. We insist, once again, that the experience of consuming these psychotropic drugs is not the same for everyone. Thus, although this characteristic is not common, cases such as the following may occur:
- Improper administration of antidepressants can lead to dependence and adverse side effects .
- People who take these drugs for many years may become dependent.
- Antidepressant dependence may occur in patients who have previously taken benzodiazepines for prolonged periods.
Which antidepressants are the most and least “addictive”?
As noted, antidepressants are not addictive, but it is possible to generate symptoms related to dependence if the duration of treatment is longer.
In this last scenario, there are some types that, due to their composition, have a slightly higher potential to produce effects related to withdrawal syndrome . Below, find out which of these drugs produce the greatest effects and which ones the least.
Antidepressants with a higher risk of dependence
- Desvenlafaxine is a useful medication for treating chronic pain/depression.
- Paroxetine. It is indicated for cases of major depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, panic disorder .
- Escitalopram. It is used for major depression , generalized anxiety, panic disorder, phobias and OCD.
- Bupropion . It is used in patients with depression and to treat smoking. It always requires monitoring during administration.
Most common antidepressants with fewer side effects
- Sertraline .
- Fluoxetine .
- Mirtazapine.
- Agomelatine.
- Escitalopram.
Those who do not follow specific medical guidelines and overuse antidepressants will experience adverse effects, including addiction.
How to avoid adverse effects when taking antidepressants?
Although there is a false myth that antidepressants are addictive, these drugs are endorsed by medical institutions and there is no evidence that they have such an effect. However, the consumption of these psychotropic drugs requires following the instructions to the letter.
There are also a series of guidelines and recommendations that protect against addiction . These are strategies that would improve the process when overcoming a psychological disorder; these are listed below:
- Do not stop treatment from one day to the next.
- Follow the specialists’ recommendations exactly.
- Do not combine antidepressants with other substances, such as alcohol.
- Remember that long-term administration leads to dependency.
- If you notice any adverse effects, you should contact a specialist so that the dose can be adjusted or another drug can be tried.
- Genetic testing may be possible to determine what effect these drugs might have.
- Antidepressants treat the symptom, but not the root of the problem. Psychological therapy is necessary to address the diagnosis and thus be able to stop drug treatment.
In conclusion, only the improper use of these psychotropic drugs can turn them into addictive agents. Always consult with specialized professionals and follow their instructions. We are dealing with safe and effective medications that we could all need at some point.