There are many medications that are prescribed today for a wide array of mental health conditions and with those medications come potential risks of dependence, addiction, and misuse. Thankfully many of these circumstances can be effectively treated with the right level of care.
Is Seroquel Addictive?
Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic which can be prescribed for things like bipolar 1 disorder and major depressive disorder. It is not considered addictive in the same way that opioids are addictive but that does not mean it cannot be abused or misused of label and it does not mean that there is no risk of things like dependence.
Unlike opioids are stimulants, it doesn’t cause things like physical withdrawal in the same way but your body and brain can still develop tolerance to it. As a result, quitting cold turkey can lead to rebound side effects that are often mistaken as withdrawal symptoms, the result of an addiction.
For example, if someone were using Seroquel as a sleep aid over the span of several months, and they suddenly stop taking it or suddenly started taking a lower dose, they might notice rebound symptoms such as insomnia. These symptoms are not typically the hallmark of a cycle of addiction but rather an indication of having incorrectly tapered from a drug that led to tolerance.
Is Tapering Necessary?
Tapering is the process whereby individuals who are given prescriptions like Seroquel work with their doctor to slowly wean themselves off the amount they are taking or off the frequency they are using.
Anyone who is taking drugs like Seroquel, where there exists a risk for tolerance, needs to work with their doctor to slowly taper the same way they gradually increase the amount they took in the first place. Failure to do so, effectively quitting a prescription cold turkey can cause rebound symptoms that often feel like withdrawal symptoms.
Working with East Coast Recovery
If you are struggling with a mental health disorder like major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, or you have used Seroquel off label for things like sedation and sleep, our outpatient programs can provide a dual diagnosis treatment plan.
With our dual diagnosis programs, we offer treatment for co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders, with flexible levels of care that meet in the mornings, in the afternoons, or in the evenings. Our aim is to make treatment accessible without having to give up other obligations like work, school, or family.
To help with that we have created an inviting space for treatment that exposes clients to different modalities and different treatment programs, owing to the fact that each client is different and therefore the types of therapies and holistic programs that work best will be different too. We go so far as to offer local community events and transportation in the evenings so the clients can get to their meetings.
If you are ready to talk more about our outpatient programs and in particular our dual diagnosis treatment, call our team today at (617) 390-8349.
FAQ
Is Seroquel Chemically Addictive Like Opioids or Stimulants?
No, Seroquel (quetiapine) is not a chemically addictive substance like opioids or stimulants. It is prescribed as an atypical antipsychotic for many mental health disorders but does not cause dopamine spikes, compulsive cravings, or euphoria often associated with drugs like stimulants, opioids, or benzodiazepines.
Can You Abuse Seroquel?
Yes, even though it isn’t a controlled substance Seroquel can be misused. This misuse typically happens when it is used off label, in high doses to produce a calming effect or when it gets mixed with other drugs. Some of the most common abuse of Seroquel happens in environments like substance recovery programs are correctional facilities where individuals might use more than prescribed to achieve a sedative effect.
Can I Develop a Tolerance to Seroquel?
Yes, it is possible to develop a tolerance to the sedating qualities of Seroquel. As Seroquel is primarily used as a sleep aid, individuals might find that after the first few weeks or months of regular use, the drowsiness or sedative effects that happen begin to wear off. This is often a sign of the body developing a tolerance to it. This means that individuals might need higher doses to get the same sleeping inducing effect.
What Happens If I Stop Taking Seroquel Cold Turkey?
If you abruptly stop taking Seroquel without proper medical supervision it can lead to discontinuation syndrome. Discontinuation syndrome is not the same as withdrawal but it is often mistaken for withdrawal symptoms. This happens because of the shock to the central nervous system which results in a rapid return of any acute psychiatric symptoms. For example, if you were struggling with psychosis and received a prescription, and then stopped taking it, the symptoms of psychosis could rapidly return causing additional psychological distress.
How Do I Stop Taking Seroquel?
The best way to stop taking almost any prescription medication including Seroquel is to work with the prescribing doctor to taper. This means using a schedule to slowly decrease the amount and frequency you are taking just the same as your initial prescription slowly increased the amount and frequency you took. This will provide your doctor and medical team an opportunity to monitor for any discontinuation symptoms and to manage ongoing treatment more effectively.
What Are the Symptoms of Seroquel Discontinuation Syndrome?
If you stop taking Seroquel too quickly, you can experience psychological and physical withdrawal-like symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, nausea, rebound insomnia, rapid heart rate, irritability, excessive sweating, and extreme restlessness.
Is Seroquel FDA Approved for Sleep?
No, it is not FDA approved to treat insomnia though it is often prescribed in low doses, in what is called off label prescriptions. This comes with risks though as medical guidelines usually discourage this particular drug for a sleep aid due to the metabolic risks.
What is Seroquel Approved to Treat?
Seroquel has been approved for specific mental health conditions including schizophrenia, acute manic episodes with bipolar I, depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder, and an additional form of treatment for major depressive disorder.
Are There Long Term Health Risks of Taking Seroquel?
Even though Seroquel is not addictive, long-term use means careful medical tracking because it can have metabolic side effects. Regular use can lead to elevated blood sugar levels which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, significant weight gain, and in some cases movement disorders.
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