Signs Of Antidepressant Abuse

Misuse Or Abuse Of Antidepressants

People who struggle with depressive disorders and other mental health conditions are at a greater risk of substance misuse and addiction. Likewise, people with substance use disorders are more likely to have mental disorders such as depression. Because these conditions often overlap, some people may misuse antidepressants in an attempt to get high. This does not necessarily cause the desired effect and can be very dangerous.

Signs Of Prescription Drug Misuse

Misusing prescription drugs, such as antidepressants, refers to any use that differs from how they were prescribed. This can include:

• Taking more than the prescribed dose at one time or over a period of time
• Taking someone else’s prescription drug
• Taking the drug to achieve an effect that is not intended by the prescriber, such as getting high

Signs of prescription antidepressant misuse may include:

• Running out of a prescription earlier than expected
• Finding prescription pills in someone’s possession when they should not have them
• Seeing other signs of drug misuse or abuse

If you’re taking antidepressants exactly as prescribed, you may still develop a physical dependence. This is not the same as misuse or abuse.

Signs Of Antidepressant Abuse

Abuse of prescription drugs is a type of misuse in which a person uses the drug to achieve non-therapeutic psychotropic effects (such as euphoria, anxiety relief, or sedative effects).

Sometimes, abuse of prescription drugs is accompanied or closely followed by polysubstance use, where a person uses two or more substances at the same time. Possible signs of drug abuse, including abuse of antidepressants, include:

• Finding drug paraphernalia
• Observing signs of intoxication
• Lack of attention to personal hygiene
• Changes in sleep habits
• Spending less time with friends or acquaintances who do not use drugs
• Unexplained changes in mood or behavior

Even though antidepressants are not classified as a controlled substance with a risk of abuse, drug abuse of any kind can easily lead to polydrug abuse.

Effects Of Misusing Antidepressants

The misuse of antidepressants may increase the likelihood of unwanted or dangerous side effects and the risk of overdose on antidepressants. There are many different kinds of antidepressant medications, each of which may have different risks.

Certain antidepressants can cause dangerous medical conditions when taken with otherwise harmless foods, such as aged cheeses or meats. A person who is misusing antidepressants may not be aware of these dangers and might be more likely to take them without regard to the food they have ingested.

Conditions and side effects of antidepressant use and misuse can include:

• Agitation
• General feeling of sickness
• Gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea or constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness or drowsiness
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Reduced sex drive
• Difficulty achieving orgasm
• Erectile dysfunction
• Dry mouth
• Blurry vision
• Excessive sweating
• Abnormal heart rhythms

Possible serious side effects of taking too much of an antidepressant can include:

• Serotonin syndrome
• Low sodium in blood (hyponatremia), especially for the elderly
• Increased long-term risk of diabetes
• Suicidal thoughts

Serotonin syndrome, hyponatremia, and suicidal thoughts can all cause life-threatening symptoms if left untreated. Examples of dangerous symptoms include seizures, arrhythmias, loss of consciousness, psychosis, or suicidal behaviors.

While these effects are still possible when taking antidepressants as prescribed, with the supervision of the prescriber, they can be treated. Additionally, the above side effects often resolve on their own within a few weeks of taking an antidepressant consistently. People who are misusing or abusing antidepressants may face barriers to treatment or may not recognize the connection between their antidepressant use and their symptoms.

Can You Become Addicted To Antidepressants?

Though a person can become physically dependent on antidepressants and experience antidepressant withdrawal if they are discontinued, antidepressants are not considered to have addictive potential.

The DSM-5 identifies substance use disorders as a condition of compulsion in which people will seek and use a substance compulsively despite significant consequences in other parts of their lives. These behaviors have not been seen with antidepressants as a whole and only potentially with tranylcypromine and amineptine (rarely prescribed antidepressants of the MAOI and TCA classes of antidepressants, respectively).

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Drinking While Taking Antidepressants

Drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants can be dangerous and is not recommended. The combination of alcohol and antidepressants may cause:

• Reduced efficacy of antidepressants
• Increased drowsiness or dizziness
• Increase in blood pressure when taking MAOI antidepressants
• Lower seizure threshold, a concern with the antidepressant bupropion
• Increased risk of liver toxicity when taking duloxetine
• Lower threshold for alcohol overdose when taking venlafaxine

All antidepressants may have reduced efficacy when a person drinks alcohol while taking them. This can increase the risk of depression, suicidal thoughts, and behaviors. Over time, alcohol is known to worsen depression, and it may increase the likelihood of acting on suicidal thoughts due to reduced inhibition.

Using Drugs While On Antidepressants

The effects and side effects of taking drugs while on antidepressants may vary widely depending on the type and dose of drug(s) and antidepressants a person is taking. Some antidepressants in the SSRI and SNRI classes warn against specific medicine combinations, but mixing with recreational drugs can be even more dangerous.

For example, taking opioids, both legal and illegal, while taking SNRI or SSRI antidepressants may increase the risk of serotonin excess, leading to complications such as serotonin syndrome (toxicity). Excess serotonin can lead to neuromuscular hyperactivity (tremors, rigid muscles, or repetitive motions), fevers, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and abnormal mental states.

Many drugs obtained on the street are mixed with synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. It can be difficult to know exactly what is contained in a drug sample obtained on the street, making it even more dangerous to take while on antidepressants.

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How To Take Antidepressants Effectively

Antidepressants can be beneficial for those struggling with mood disorders. However, it is important to take them as prescribed and keep your doctor updated with any side effects you are experiencing. For greatest efficacy, it is important to keep in mind the following:

• It typically takes two or more weeks before a person begins to feel better from taking a prescription antidepressant.
• It is important not to miss doses, or it may take longer for the benefits to be felt.
• Comprehensive mental health treatment can provide a more complete approach to mental disorders.
• There are other options for treatment if a person cannot take antidepressants.

Each person may require a different dose or a different type of antidepressant. The type and dose of medication prescribed may vary to accommodate personal and biological factors. For those who do not wish to or cannot take antidepressants, some alternative treatment options may help.

Non-Medication Options For Mental Health Disorders

A combination of pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and alternative interventions often helps mental health. However, people with mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, may find relief through non-medical interventions and lifestyle changes. Even if a person does not experience complete healing, the following can help improve depressive and anxiety symptoms:

• Exercise
• Dietary changes
• Journaling
• Spiritual development or religious commitment
• Being in nature

Exercise of any kind, but particularly walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training, has been found to be an effective treatment for depression and other mental health conditions of varying severity. Overall, many depressive symptoms can be overcome with healthy lifestyle changes.

Get Help Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health condition, like depression, know that help is available. Reach out to your primary care physician or a mental health professional today to find out more about your mental health treatment options.

If you are struggling with antidepressant abuse or a co-occurring substance use disorder, inpatient and outpatient treatment options are available. Contact a treatment provider today to learn more about your available rehab options.