Is Zoloft (Sertraline) Addictive? — Talkspace

Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant treatment within the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of medicine. It’s used to deal with despair, nervousness issues, and different psychological well being situations. Zoloft will increase serotonin ranges within the mind to enhance temper and regulate feelings. 

A standard query earlier than beginning this — or any — antidepressant is commonly: is Zoloft addictive? When taken as prescribed, Zoloft is not thought-about addictive. In truth, analysis reveals it’s tolerated effectively by most individuals who take it. It doesn’t produce a euphoric excessive or trigger cravings, like substances abused for leisure functions do. That stated, Zoloft dependancy can nonetheless be a priority for many individuals, because it is doable to turn out to be bodily dependent on this treatment over time. 

What’s the distinction between being addicted and being depending on a prescription drug? Maintain studying to be taught extra — we’ll clarify why sertraline isn’t addictive and discover the whole lot you want to learn about this SSRI.  

Zoloft Dependency vs Habit

Being dependent, versus Zoloft dependancy, means you’ve developed a tolerance for a substance. This implies you would possibly want extra frequent doses or larger dosages than initially prescribed to attain the identical impact. It doesn’t essentially point out drug dependancy has occurred, although. 

Dependency might be managed by cautious monitoring by a physician. In contrast, drug dependancy includes compulsive use regardless of detrimental penalties, together with psychological misery and impaired functioning socially and/or occupationally. 

“Zoloft dependence is usually hooked up to extra of a psychological dependence relatively than an addictive scope, which leads to damaging repercussions from compulsive overuse.”

– Talkspace therapist Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW

How Lengthy Ought to I Keep on Zoloft?

First, you have to know how lengthy it takes for Zoloft to work. The size of time anybody ought to keep on Zoloft is determined by particular person wants and circumstances and your physician’s advice. It’s vital to first give it time to see if it improves your despair signs or nervousness signs. By no means discontinue utilizing Zoloft or any SSRI abruptly, as there’s a excessive potential for withdrawal signs.

What Occurs if You Cease Taking Zoloft?

When you cease taking Zoloft, you may expertise withdrawal signs beginning inside 24 hours after stopping remedy and lasting as much as 2 – 4 weeks, relying upon components like length and dosage earlier than cessation. Truly fizzling out of an SSRI step by step and below medical supervision is at all times really useful.  

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, also called antidepressant withdrawal, is a set of bodily and psychological signs that may happen when somebody stops taking an antidepressant treatment. It generally happens in individuals who’ve taken antidepressants for at the least 4 weeks or longer. Signs embrace: 

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Complications
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Flu-like aches & pains
• Vivid goals 

keep away from Zoloft withdrawal signs

A part of answering the query is Zoloft addictive means understanding the dangers related to stopping this treatment abruptly or too rapidly. The next might help you keep away from Zoloft withdrawal signs:

• Taper off slowly: It’s vital to not make sudden adjustments in dosage as this might trigger critical Zoloft unwanted effects. Your physician will cut back your dose step by step over time. The method may take a number of weeks or months, relying on how lengthy you took Zoloft and what dose you had been on.
• Take with meals: Taking the treatment with meals helps your physique take in the energetic substances correctly. This might help cut back any potential unwanted effects or withdrawal signs in case you cease taking it afterward down the road.
• Monitor signs carefully: Monitor any adjustments in temper or conduct whereas taking Zoloft and after discontinuing use. This fashion, you may catch withdrawal indicators earlier than they turn out to be extreme. Some frequent signs embrace insomnia/bother sleeping, irritability, complications, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, problem concentrating, and elevated nervousness/panic assaults. If signs seem, contact your physician straight away.

“As with all medicines, compliance and sustaining common treatment consultations are the most effective methods to keep away from detrimental unwanted effects even whereas titrating down. Proceed a wholesome self-care routine, together with vitamin and sleep, to extra clearly discover adjustments or detrimental withdrawal signs.”

– Talkspace therapist Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW