Can Antidepressants be an Addictive Drug?

Of the 2.4 billion drugs prescribed by doctors and hospitals in 2005, 118 million were antidepressants. With news about the growing problem of prescription drug addiction, it makes sense that those taking Prozac and similar pills might be wary. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent findings show that those taking antidepressants can breathe a big sigh of relief.

While some users report symptoms when they tried to stop taking the drug, which might indicate addiction, once the drug is taken again the symptoms disappear. In this case, the real culprit isn’t addiction at all, experts say, but the result of quitting the drug “cold turkey.” According to The American Family Physician: Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome occurs in approximately 20 percent of patients after abrupt discontinuation of an antidepressant medication that was taken for at least six weeks.

In a further argument against addiction, the Journal of Psychopharmacology (JOP) reported: “an extensive literature review identified 21 English language case reports of antidepressant addiction (DSM-IV ‘substance dependence’ criteria) published since 1963. Sixteen involved tranylcypromine or amineptine and may reflect their dopaminergic and stimulant properties. Subject characteristics included male sex (14/21), personality problems (10/21) and prior substance misuse (14/21).”

The JOP concluded that, “with the exception of tranylcypromine and amineptine, antidepressants do not have a clinically significant liability to cause addiction.”

For drugs that do turn into addiction, Alta Mira Treatment Programs offer treatment programs to help the addict into recovery.