Millions of Americans take antidepressants every day. Even though these medications are so common, many people have questions about them, such as Can you become addicted to antidepressants? and What alternatives are available if antidepressants don’t work for you?
Learn more on our 2024 Guide to Mental Health Medications
Types of Antidepressants
The answer to the question, Can you become addicted to antidepressants? isn’t a simple yes/no query. There are myriad medications that fall within the general category of antidepressants. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): This classification includes fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Frequently prescribed meds in this group include venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq).
- Tricyclic antidepressants: This classification of older medications includes nortriptyline (Pamelor) and desipramine (Norpramin).
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): This is another class of older medications, such as phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Most people who receive medication for depression first get a prescription for an SSRI or an SNRI. Tricyclics and MAOIs, which can cause intense side effects, are reserved for those who don’t respond to SSRIs or SNRIs.
Can You Become Addicted to Antidepressants?
If the question, Can you become addicted to antidepressants? causes you to envision the intense cravings, dangerous behaviors, and extreme withdrawal symptoms that are associated with dependence on heroin, fentanyl, or other opioids, we can assure you that these types of experiences are highly unlikely.
However, that doesn’t mean that the answer to this question is an absolute, unequivocal no.
Using some antidepressants can cause you to experience the following, both of which are symptoms of depression:
- Tolerance. This means that, over time, taking the same amount of an antidepressant may not produce the same effects anymore.
- Withdrawal. This can include physical and psychological symptoms that occur when you abruptly end your use of the medication.
But what does this mean in terms of antidepressants and addiction?
Though antidepressant use can cause some symptoms that have been associated with addiction, these symptoms do not meet the full criteria for a substance use disorder (which is the clinical term for addiction) as established in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Are There Alternatives to Antidepressants That You Can’t get Addicted to?
If you have not had a successful experience with an antidepressant, this isn’t a sign that you have failed. It also doesn’t indicate that you cannot be helped. It simply means that your treatment provider hasn’t found the right way to address your specific symptoms.
The following options can be beneficial as alternatives to antidepressants or as complements to taking a particular medication:
- You may need to try a different medication or a different dosage level. Though antidepressants are science-based interventions, prescribing them is not an exact science. For some people, it can take a trial and error before finding the medication and dosage level that works.
- Genetic testing can identify pharmacogenetic markers within a DNA sample. These markers can provide valuable information about which types of medication may be most effective for you. It can also tell you which antidepressants are less likely to yield favorable outcomes.
- Various forms of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), have proved effective at alleviating some types of depression-related distress and empowering people to better manage their symptoms.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is an innovative technique that employs brief electromagnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that are associated with depressive disorders. This technique has helped many people who did not have successful experiences with antidepressants.
- Ketamine therapy: This is another approach that has shown great promise for people who have treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine therapy can be done one of two ways with the nasal spray Spravato or Ketamine infusion sessions that typically last 40-60 minutes. This type of treatment can promote enhanced neural growth and the development of new synaptic connections, both of which have been linked with elevated mood and a variety of other beneficial effects. At Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry we currently offer Spravato as our form of ketamine therapy.
Find Depression Treatment in Atlanta
If antidepressants or other standard services haven’t helped you, Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry may have the solutions that can. Our innovative approach to depression treatment includes an array of integrative modalities, including TMS therapy, ketamine infusion therapy, and genetic testing.
Throughout your time at our outpatient depression treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, you will be cared for by a team of compassionate experts within a safe and highly supportive environment. We will work closely with you to understand the full scope of your needs, so that we can provide the focused services that can put you on the path toward improved health and a much more hopeful future.
To learn more about how we can help you, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Appointments page or call us today.
