Trazodone is a prescription drug used to treat insomnia and major depressive disorder. It’s generally considered a safe and effective drug, but if it’s misused, it’s possible to become dependent on it. Withdrawal from trazodone should be carefully supervised as there are some medical risks associated with stopping it suddenly.
If you’re searching for “rehab for trazodone near me,” call the National Rehab Hotline for free, confidential advice. The helpline is open 24 hours a day to help you access the support you need to beat substance abuse.
What Is Trazodone, and How Common Is Trazodone Abuse?
It’s common for people to be given long-term prescriptions for trazodone, and it’s not dangerous to take the drug for years under proper medical supervision. However, long-term use of the drug can lead to dependence, and people who stop taking trazodone may experience unwanted withdrawal symptoms.
The term “trazodone addiction” isn’t necessarily accurate because people don’t usually crave antidepressants in the same way they crave many addictive substances. However, they can start to depend on the drug to feel normal, and if their prescription is withdrawn, they may find themselves doctor-shopping or purchasing the drug illegally, exposing themselves to additional risks. Trazodone abuse could cause problems if a person buys the drug from an unauthorized seller, as they can’t be sure of the strength or purity. This puts them at risk of an overdose or unexpected side effects.
The Dangers of Trazodone
When taken correctly, under the supervision of a medical professional, trazodone is generally considered safe. However, the drug does have some common side effects:
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
There are some rare cases of people who take trazodone experiencing liver issues, changes in their heart rate or an increase in the severity of their depressive symptoms.
It’s possible to overdose on trazodone, and there’s been one recorded fatal overdose where someone ingested 6.45 grams of the drug. Smaller, nonfatal overdoses may cause seizures, liver failure and hypotension.
Long-term use of trazodone creates changes in the brain, and these changes mean people need to keep taking trazodone to regulate their mood. This isn’t quite the same thing as trazodone addiction, but it does mean there’s a physical dependency on the medication.
It’s this dependency that makes medical supervision so important. If you’re taking trazodone to manage depression or insomnia, your doctor can monitor your dosages. They can also help if you need to change to a different medication or stop taking it altogether.
What Happens During Trazodone Withdrawal?
When someone takes trazodone for a long time, the brain reduces the number of serotonin receptors it has. If they then decide to come off trazodone, they’ll find they have a deficiency of serotonin activity in the short term. In most cases, the brain will respond to this by increasing the number of serotonin receptors to correct the deficiency. However, the length of the adjustment period may vary, and there can be some unpleasant symptoms while it happens.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Suicidal thoughts
- Vertigo
- Brain fog
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Chills
- Shock-like sensations
- Dissociation/depersonalization
If someone stops taking trazodone abruptly, they may notice symptoms within a day of their last dose. Those symptoms may last for up to 3 weeks. It’s possible to reduce the appearance of these symptoms by tapering off the medication. This involves gradually reducing the dose, giving the brain and body time to adjust.
Finding Treatment Options for Trazodone Addiction
Trazodone addiction differs from other drug addictions in that it’s not associated with cravings. Most people who could be classed as abusing trazodone aren’t taking it recreationally. Rather, they were prescribed it at some point and have become dependent on it. Perhaps their doctor will no longer prescribe it, or they’ve started taking higher doses than their doctor would like them to.
Treating trazodone abuse requires a slightly different approach than for other forms of addiction. The goal is to help the individual safely reduce their dose so they can stop taking the medication. If they’re still experiencing the depressive symptoms that prompted the prescription, they may also need support to find a different medication that’s more suited to them.
If you’re worried you may be dependent on trazodone or concerned about a loved one’s use of the drug, it’s important to talk to a professional about coming off it. If you feel you can’t approach your primary care physician about your trazodone addiction, look for local drug rehab centers that work with people who are concerned about prescription medication abuse.
Call the National Rehab Hotline for Confidential Help and Advice
The National Rehab Hotline is a free hotline that offers confidential advice and support 24 hours a day. In addition to a telephone hotline, there’s an online knowledge base full of advice for people struggling with substance abuse. There’s even advice for those who are helping others on their recovery journey.
The National Rehab Hotline is staffed by trained advisors who’ll listen to your issues and provide nonjudgmental advice. Our goal is to connect callers with local organizations that can help them beat substance abuse. Whether you’re struggling with trazodone abuse or have multiple addictions and mental health challenges, we’ll work with you to find a service in your area that can help.
The service is free and available at any time of the day or night year-round to provide crisis support, intervention and treatment suggestions. If you need someone to listen and support you, call the National Rehab Hotline today.