Zoloft Addiction: Side Effects, Detox, Withdrawal, and Treatment

What is Zoloft?

Zoloft is an antidepressant and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is the brand name of the drug sertraline and is only available with a prescription. Used to treat depression, OCD, PTSD, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, Zoloft is often marketed as a safer alternative than similar drugs like Prozac.

Zoloft works by preventing the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, which leaves more serotonin available for mood-regulation. Although it is effective for treating major depressive disorders, it also comes with a black box warning that it may increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors among children, teens, and young adults who use it.

Zoloft is produced in tablet form and comes in 25 mg, 50mg, and 100 mg dose tablets. It is intended to be taken once daily. Although it is not classified as an addictive drug, Zoloft and other similar antidepressants are commonly misused and can be psychologically addictive.

Slang for Zoloft

Although there aren’t many slang terms that are specifically used to refer to Zoloft, there are many different slang terms that are used to refer to antidepressant drugs. The following terms may be street names or slang for Zoloft:

• Wonder drug
• Miracle drug
• Happy pills
• Bottled smiles

How Common Is Zoloft Addiction?

Zoloft is the most prescribed antidepressant and the seventh most prescribed psychiatric drug in the U.S. Many people use it for medical purposes, but since it is so readily available and easy to get, it is also frequently abused.

People who abuse Zoloft typically don’t use it to get high. Instead, they may misuse it to deal with daily problems. It becomes psychologically addicting when they begin to rely on Zoloft as a quick fix for daily problems or they feel like they can’t function normally without it.

Abusing Zoloft or any other antidepressant drug can be very dangerous and may cause serious medical and psychological problems. Abusing Zoloft on a long-term basis can also cause physical dependence and withdrawal.

What are the Side Effects of Zoloft Abuse?

Some of the most common side effects of Zoloft abuse and misuse include:

• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Serotonin syndrome (sometimes caused by taking SSRI drugs)
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome (sometimes caused by taking antipsychotic drugs)
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Anorexia
• Abnormal bleeding
• Suicidal thoughts

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Zoloft Addiction?

A person who has had substance abuse problems in the past may be more likely to abuse Zoloft. If someone is misusing Zoloft or is psychologically addicted to it, there may be some red flags. Signs and symptoms of Zoloft abuse and addiction often include:

• Taking someone else’s Zoloft prescription
• Faking symptoms to get another Zoloft prescription
• Seeing several different doctors to get more than one Zoloft prescription
• Taking larger or more frequent doses of Zoloft than prescribed
• Using Zoloft as a quick fix for daily problems
• Feeling unable to function normally without Zoloft

Zoloft Withdrawal Symptoms and Detox

About a fifth of people who were prescribed SSRI drugs like Zoloft experienced severe withdrawal symptoms when they tried to wean themselves off of it. These Zoloft withdrawal symptoms are a sign that the body is physically dependent on the drug, which can often make it very difficult to stop using it.

Although tapering off of Zoloft instead of stopping Zoloft abruptly can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, it’s not guaranteed.

People who try to stop using Zoloft may experience some withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Concentration problems
• Fatigue
• Memory problems
• Mood swings
• Weight changes
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea
• Depression

If you are addicted to Zoloft, a medical detox program may provide the assistance and support you need to successfully wean yourself off of the drug and learn how to function without it on a daily basis.

During a Zoloft detox program, you will stay overnight at a treatment facility until you are physically and emotionally stable. A team of nurses, doctors, and addiction treatment specialists will treat any uncomfortable symptoms of Zoloft withdrawal and address any psychological issues you face in the process.

Completing Zoloft detox with professional assistance can decrease your risk of relapse, enhance your personal comfort, and prepare you for entry into a rehab program if you intend to continue with your addiction treatment after detox.

What is the Zoloft Withdrawal Timeline?

Generally, Zoloft withdrawal symptoms will subside within a month’s time, although some people may continue experiencing symptoms of withdrawal for upwards of 90 days (also known as post-acute withdrawal).

The severity and duration of Zoloft withdrawal symptoms will vary on a case-by-case basis depending on how long you used it, your dosage, and certain biological factors, so there is no dedicated timeline for Zoloft withdrawal.

Depending on the factors listed above, it may take a full week or longer for you to complete Zoloft detox and for the withdrawal symptoms to fully dissipate.

Treatment for Zoloft Addiction

After you’ve completed a detox program for Zoloft addiction, you can continue your treatment with a long-term rehab program. Continuing your addiction treatment after detox can help you address the psychological problems related to your addiction and pinpoint the primary causes of your addictive behaviors.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction treatment that lasts less than 90 days has limited effectiveness, especially for those who want to sustain long-term sobriety. As a result, if your intention is to get sober and stay that way, you may want to consider enrolling in a 90-day drug rehab program after detox.

If you’ve never been to drug rehab, there are a few things you can expect. During rehab, clients attend educational lectures about the disease of addiction, work the 12 steps (or similar recovery program), learn and implement relapse prevention strategies, attend group and individual counseling, and gain important life skills while adhering to a structured daily schedule.

Overall, drug and alcohol rehab is designed to help individuals get down to the root causes of their addiction and learn how to maintain a lifestyle of sobriety on their own.

Types of Zoloft Rehab Programs

There are several different types of rehab programs for Zoloft addiction and choosing the right type of Zoloft treatment is essential for lasting recovery. If you are looking for a rehab program, you may want to consider the following factors before choosing a program:

• Your financial ability and the cost of the program
• Your health insurance coverage
• The location of the rehab center
• The type of treatment offered at the rehab center
• The severity of your Zoloft addiction and your treatment needs

The two main types of Zoloft treatment programs are inpatient rehab programs and outpatient rehab programs. Here’s what you can expect if you are enrolled in one or the other.

As a client at a residential Zoloft rehab program, you can expect to:

• Temporarily live in group housing at the rehab center while you complete your treatment program
• Maintain a structured daily schedule
• Attend individual and group counseling sessions
• Participate in a variety of different types of behavioral therapies, including family therapy
• Have immediate access to medical and clinical care on-site

As a client at an outpatient Zoloft rehab program, you can expect to:

• Live at home while completing your rehab treatment
• Attend regular weekly meetings at a clinical location
• Complete program work and homework assignments on your own at home
• Continue tending to your daily responsibilities at work, school, or home while also completing treatment
• Attend individual counseling
• Have limited access to clinical and medical care while enrolled in treatment

Although inpatient and outpatient Zoloft rehab programs are different, neither one is necessarily better or more effective than the other. The right program for you is the one that best meets your treatment needs.

The cost of a Zoloft treatment program will also vary depending on the type of rehab, its location, amenities, treatment services, and its contracts with insurance companies. You may also have access to several different payment options, such as:

• Health insurance benefits
• HSA funds
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits
• Privately financed healthcare loans
• Personal loans from family members
• Treatment scholarships
• Out-of-pocket payments

Continued Care Options for Zoloft Treatment

After you complete Zoloft rehab, you may also choose to continue your addiction treatment with a sober living program or aftercare program. Other forms of aftercare may include:

• Peer recovery support programs
• Personal monitoring programs

Sober Living Programs

A sober living home offers structured, safe, and sober housing for men and women in recovery. Also sometimes referred to as halfway houses, ¾ homes, or transitional houses, sober living homes help people transition from a life of addiction into a life of recovery by providing accountability and peer support.

Many sober living homes also provide recovery support services such as:

• Tiered recovery programming
• Drug and alcohol testing
• Education, employment, and volunteer assistance
• Peer recovery support programs

The cost of sober living homes varies depending on the recovery support services offered, the location of the home, the room types, and the amenities.

Aftercare Programs

Aftercare programs are specifically designed to support alumni of detox and rehab programs. Many people use aftercare as a way to check-in with their sober peers on a regular basis. Otherwise, weekly aftercare meetings offer a safe, supportive, and judgment-free zone where people in recovery can share successes and struggles pertaining to life in recovery. Aftercare programs can be extremely therapeutic and supportive for people in any stage of recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling with Zoloft addiction, you don’t have to be ashamed to ask for help. Many other people have been in your shoes and are ready to help you and support you as you pursue a life of sobriety and ongoing recovery.

If you’re searching for Zoloft treatment, call Nova Recovery Center today to learn more about our 90-day residential drug rehab program or our IOP. Our friendly and knowledgeable admissions team is ready to take your call.

References:

1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-35-8095/zoloft-oral/sertraline-oral/details
2. https://www.rxlist.com/zoloft-drug.htm
3. https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/zoloft#basics
4. https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Mental-Health-Medications/sertraline-(Zoloft)
5. https://www.verywellmind.com/zoloft-side-effects-1067484
6. https://www.psycom.net/depression-medications-zoloft

Nova Recovery Center offers a large range of substance abuse treatment services: detox, residential, outpatient and sober living.

Search

Search

Treatment Options

• Detox
• 90-Day Residential
• Intensive Outpatient
• Sober Living
• Aftercare

Treatment Locations

• Austin, TX
• Houston, TX
• Wimberley, TX
• Colorado Springs, CO