Zoloft is an SSRI medication that can be prescribed to individuals struggling with certain mental health disorders like depression or anxiety disorder. Because Zoloft is typically taken daily, this can make many wonder: is Zoloft addictive? While you can develop a physical dependency to Zoloft, it’s important to follow your doctor’s recommendation and consult with your doctor if you have any concerns about your current Zoloft prescription.
At East Coast Recovery Center, we are a leading recovery center in Massachusetts that’s here to help you regain control of your life and heal so you can lead a healthier life. We provide a range of addiction treatment and mental health support to ensure you receive the right care to best support your recovery. Ready to break free from addiction? Contact us today!
Is Zoloft Addictive?
Depression is a common mental disorder that impacts millions of people worldwide. While not all individuals who struggle with depression may need medications to improve their symptoms, some patients can benefit from taking certain prescribed antidepressants like Zoloft to better manage their depression symptoms.Â
Zoloft is a common antidepressant medication that can help improve mood and reduce mental illness symptoms in some individuals. When patients are prescribed by their doctor to take Zoloft once a day, Zoloft is not considered addictive. However, if you misuse Zoloft and abuse it outside of your prescription, this can increase your risk of addiction.
It’s important to note that it is possible to develop a physical dependency for Zoloft over time while taking the medication as prescribed by your doctor. If you have concerns about developing a Zoloft addiction and are currently prescribed Zoloft to help with a certain mental health condition, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Why It’s Important to Take Medications As Prescribed
If you are currently taking Zoloft, it’s critical you are taking your prescription as prescribed by your doctor. This is because abusing your prescription raises the risk of experiencing adverse side effects. Therefore, if you find your Zoloft prescription is not working to help relieve your mental illness symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor rather than on your own trying to use more of the medication as this can inevitably result in adverse side effects.
Whether you are taking Zoloft or another prescription, below are several reasons why you should be taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor:
Effectiveness
First, not taking your medication as prescribed risks the effectiveness of the medication. Whether you skip taking your medication on certain days or overuse your medication, either situation is not recommended as you should be following your doctor’s instructions.
Risk of Side Effects
Additionally, not taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor runs the risk of experiencing adverse side effects. While this may vary by the medication, you may experience mood changes, changes in appetite, and other physical or psychological adverse reactions if you take your medication not as prescribed.
Risk of Overdosing
You run the risk of potentially overdosing if you take too much of a prescribed medication. This is why it’s crucial to take your medication at the dosage and frequency your doctor prescribed to you and talk with your doctor if you find your current dosage and frequency do not help your condition.
Ultimately, it’s important to take your Zoloft medication as prescribed by your doctor. You should never take more of the medication to help your condition without consulting with your doctor first. While you can develop a physical dependency on Zoloft over time, if you have any concerns about developing a Zoloft addiction with your current prescription it is important to talk with your doctor.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about the addiction risks of Zoloft. While Zoloft is not considered addictive when used as prescribed by your doctor, you can develop a physical dependency to Zoloft. It’s important to understand that if you suspect you may have a Zoloft addiction and/or have concerns about your current prescription to talk with your doctor about your concerns. If you suspect you may be struggling with addiction, it’s critical to seek professional help to break free from addiction.Â
East Coast Recovery Center is committed to helping patients safely and effectively overcome addiction so they can lead a healthier, happier life. We offer a broad range of addiction treatment options and mental health care support so you can receive the tailored care you need to break free from addiction. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recovery journey.
