TABLE OF CONTENTS
This guide explains the effects, trends, and dangers of antidepressant use, as well as an unbiased analysis of the medicinal and behavioral treatment methods for antidepressant addiction based on current research and publicly available statistics.
Derived From | Derived from both organic and synthetic substances; method of synthesis depends on the class of antidepressant |
Ways Used | Ingestion, under the tongue (sublingual), rectal, intramuscular, intravenous, crushing, and snorting |
Scientific Name | Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Venlafaxine, duloxetine, desvenlafaxine, levomilnacipran, milnacipran
Tricyclic antidepressants: Doxepin, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine, nitroxazepine Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluvoxamine Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs): Trazodone, nefazodone Serotonin modulator and stimulators (SMSs): Vortioxetine, vilazodone |
Slang/Street Names for Antidepressants | Happy Pills, Wonder Drug, Miracle Drug, Bottled Smiles |
How Long in Bodily System | Half-life:
SSRIs: 24 hours to six days SNRIs: 5 hours to 12 hours Tricyclic antidepressants: Average of one day |
Punitive Legal Measures: Using/Possession | Although antidepressants are not controlled substances, it’s still illegal to possess them without a valid prescription from a medical professional. Therefore, an individual who uses or possesses an antidepressant without a prescription may be charged with a misdemeanor. Depending on state law, the penalties may include fines, community service, participation in a court-ordered treatment program, and/or a jail sentence. |
Punitive Legal Measures: Selling/Distributing | In the United States, it’s illegal to sell or distribute prescription medications without a license. Therefore, selling or distributing antidepressants is a serious criminal offense. An individual arrested for this crime is usually charged with a felony, which is punishable by several years in prison. |
DEA Drug Rating | N/A |
The different classes of antidepressants have different effects on the brain. SSRIs prevent the neurons from reabsorbing serotonin, which increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which is a chemical used to transmit messages between the brain’s nerve cells. Tricyclic antidepressants block the effects of acetylcholine and increase the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Acetylcholine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are all neurotransmitters. SNRIs prevent the nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing the amounts of these chemicals in the brain.
By increasing the amounts of serotonin and/or norepinephrine in the brain, antidepressants elevate the individual’s mood and make it easier to cope with the stressful aspects of everyday life.
An individual who misuses antidepressants may exhibit a variety of behavioral symptoms. According to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, engaging in secretive behavior is one of the main behavioral signs of drug abuse. Individuals may lie about their whereabouts or hide what they have been doing to prevent their friends and family members from finding out about antidepressant use. Engaging in risky behavior is another sign of drug abuse. This may include driving recklessly, driving while intoxicated, or having unprotected sex while under the influence of antidepressants or other substances.
Sudden changes in professional or academic performance are another potential sign of drug abuse. Adults may struggle to perform their job duties, arrive at work on time, or show up for work at all. Adolescents who misuse antidepressants may stop doing their homework, get lower grades than usual, or skip school. Finally, sudden relationship changes may indicate that an individual is misusing antidepressants. An individual may stop spending time with friends, have arguments with close family members, or give up their favorite social activities.
By increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, antidepressants have several physical effects on the body. Serotonin is involved in the secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland. Therefore, taking antidepressants that increase the amount of serotonin in the brain can stimulate the release of hormones, which may affect an individual’s sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm).
Norepinephrine helps the heart muscle contract normally and is also involved in the contraction of skeletal muscle. Therefore, an increase in the amount of norepinephrine in the brain can cause an individual’s heart rate to increase. An increase in norepinephrine levels can also trigger the release of glucose into the bloodstream.
Antidepressants can produce several physiological effects within as little as 30 to 60 minutes of taking a dose. Some of these effects can be dangerous, especially for users who have preexisting medical conditions.
Short-term Physical Symptoms | |
Initial (direct effects of drug, 30 – 60 min.) | Sweating Nausea |
Lingering (within an hour of taking the drug) | Indigestion Difficulty sleeping Dry mouth Dizziness Fatigue Headache Shaking (tremor) |
Post-Use (several hours to days after use) | Reduced libido Inability to ejaculate Numbness/tingling Delayed ejaculation |
Long-term use of antidepressants can have some severe physical effects, particularly in individuals with a history of heart problems. Antidepressants are associated with changes in heart rhythm, and sudden cardiac death has also been known to occur. Patients with heart disease are also more likely to have adverse events when using antidepressants.
Antidepressants are known for having sexual side effects, particularly in men. The use of these medications has been associated with decreased sexual desire, delayed ejaculation, and inability to ejaculate, all of which can interfere with a man’s sexual satisfaction. In women, antidepressants can also delay orgasm or make it difficult to have an orgasm.
Long-term use of antidepressants may also lead to adverse events caused by interactions with other substances. Like many medications, antidepressants are metabolized by the liver. As a result, taking antidepressants with another substance may cause elevated levels of either substance in the blood. It may be necessary for an individual to stop taking the antidepressant to avoid this risk.
Long-term Physical Symptoms | |
Casual | Nausea Drowsiness Fatigue Increased appetite Dry mouth Blurred vision |
Chronic
Including all of the above effects for casual use |
Decreased libido Constipation Insomnia Weight gain Erectile dysfunction |
Withdrawal | Anxiety Vivid dreams Tiredness Irritability Dizziness Headaches Chill Muscle aches Worsening symptoms of depression |
Both MedlinePlus and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer in-depth information on the use and effects of antidepressants.
Two of the top three countries with the highest rates of antidepressant use are in Europe. Researchers attribute the increase in antidepressant use to the introduction of SSRIs; since these medications were introduced, antidepressant use “has continually increased in most European countries.” Iceland, Denmark, and Portugal have the highest rates of use, but Belgium, Norway, Finland, and Spain also report a high number of daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants.
Rates of antidepressant use are much lower in South America, Asia, and Africa than they are in North America and Europe. In 2016, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development studied global antidepressant use and ranked the countries studied based on the number of people who use antidepressants per 1,000 inhabitants. Korea ranked lowest on the list, with just 13 daily doses of antidepressants taken for every 1,000 inhabitants of the country.
The OECD researchers also found that only 13 out of every 1,000 inhabitants of Chile take some type of antidepressant. In contrast, the top two countries on the list reported more than 100 daily doses of antidepressants for every 1,000 inhabitants of each country. No African countries were included in the OECD list.
Highest | Second | Third | |
Countries with the Highest Rates of Antidepressant Use | United States | Iceland | Australia |
Regions with the Highest Number of Daily Doses of Antidepressants | North America | Western Europe | Australia |
According to OECD research, the United States has the largest number of antidepressant users anywhere in the world, with more than 100 daily doses of antidepressants for every 1,000 Americans. This high rate of use can be attributed to several factors, including depression rates, economic stability, and the availability of quality healthcare.
Within the United States, antidepressant use varies by state. In Utah, healthcare providers prescribe antidepressants at a rate of nearly twice the national average. Antidepressant use is also prevalent in Oregon and Maine.
The use of antidepressants and other prescription drugs is also common among adolescents. As part of the Monitoring the Future Study, researchers surveyed 12th graders to determine if they had used prescription drugs within the past month, within the past year, or at any point in their lives. For 2019, nearly 15% of the students surveyed stated that they had used a prescription drug at some point; 8.6% revealed that they had used one within the past year.
Past Year (2018) | Lifetime | |
8th grade (14-15 yo) | No data collected | No data collected |
10th grade (15-16 yo) | No data collected | No data collected |
12th grade (17-18 yo) | 8.6% | 14.6% |
Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Jeremy Barnett explains, “Addiction to antidepressants is not nearly as common as addiction to controlled medications – such as opioids and benzodiazepines – but, nevertheless, is always a possibility, especially with people who have a history of addiction. Antidepressant medication is sometimes prescribed to help stabilize newly recovering addicts struggling with post-acute withdrawal symptoms, such as euthymia, insomnia, and lethargy. However, there are increasing reports of abuse of Wellbutrin and Gabapentin, as they can provide similar effects to other drugs, such as cocaine and other amphetamines. Thus, people in recovery taking antidepressant medication should always be monitored closely for medication compliance.”
Antidepressants are helpful for managing the symptoms of depression, but they can also cause serious physical and psychological side effects, especially when used for long periods of time. Mixing antidepressants with alcohol and other substances increases the risk of these adverse effects, making antidepressants especially risky for nonmedical users.
Even if an individual wants to stop using antidepressants, it can be difficult to do so because of the withdrawal syndrome that sometimes occurs. This syndrome causes increased levels of anxiety, worsening symptoms of depression, and other withdrawal symptoms. Enrolling in a rehabilitation program that includes a tapered withdrawal process can help users avoid some of these symptoms and withdrawal from antidepressants in a safe manner. To learn more about this tapered withdrawal process, read our comprehensive antidepressant rehabilitation guide.
If you have a loved one who’s struggling with addiction, staging an intervention is often the first necessary step towards sobriety, but it’s important to be strategic and loving in your approach. Even the most well-meaning of interventions can have a negative effect if they aren’t handled correctly.
1. Don’t Do It Alone. A professional interventionist is always the most qualified to guide a successful intervention. Also, rely on non-addict family and friends – especially those who have a close relationship with you or the addict. |
2. Research Ahead of Time. It’s best to do plenty of research ahead of time to gather insight on the addiction and how it affects the addict. Also, be prepared with local resources for getting help. |
3. Write Out Your Statement. During the actual intervention, emotions will likely be running high, so it’s best to have a statement of how the person’s addiction has impacted you and your relationship with him or her. These statements should be honest, yet written from a place of love – no personal attacks. |
4. Offer Help. It’s important for everyone attending the intervention to offer tangible help and support as the person works through detox and rehabilitation. |
5. Set Boundaries. If the person refuses to seek help and take the next steps outlined, it’s important that they understand that everyone present will end codependence and enabling behaviors. |