Zoloft
From Drug Rehab Wiki
The brand name for the generic sertraline, Zoloft is an antidepressant included in a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The medication is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
In its generic form, sertraline hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder that is only slightly soluble in water and isopropyl alcohol. Zoloft is supplied for oral administration as scored tablets and is often indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. On the street, Zoloft is traded and used under the names Zs, Zloft and Zoomers, among others.
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Abuses of Zoloft
Zoloft is not a controlled substance as in placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized studies, it did not produce positive subjective effectives that indicate it has abuse potential. Zoloft does not appear to produce euphoria, nor does it suggest drug linking. Those who use Zoloft do not appear to seek more of the drug.
Contrary to these studies, use in the market has shown that Zoloft actually does have potential for abuse, especially when it is taken with other drugs or alcohol. Patients have been known to abuse Zoloft when they take the mediation for an extended period of time as dependence can develop.
Effects of Zoloft
To achieve its intended effects, Zoloft impacts chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Zoloft works to balance those chemicals to keep the individual on a more even keel mentally.
Specific side effects have been known to be serious and can occur in the use of Zoloft, including very stiff or rigid muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination, headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.
Less serious and still concerning side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, tired feeling, mild nausea, stomach pain, upset stomach, constipation, dry mouth, changes in appetite or weight, sleep problems (insomnia), decreased sex drive, impotence or difficulty having an orgasm.
Withdrawal of Zoloft
A person who has taken Zoloft has likely done so for an extended period of time as this is normal in a doctor-prescribed situation. As a result, an abrupt cessation is likely to induce some uncomfortable and potentially dangerous Zoloft withdrawal symptoms, also known as SSRI discontinuation syndrome.
Withdrawal symptoms associated with Zoloft can include, but are not limited to:
• Irritability • Agitation • Dizziness • Burning or tingling sensation • Anxiety • Confusion • Sexual dysfunction • Tremors • Insomnia and/or restlessness • Profuse sweating • Nausea • Vertigo • Nightmares • Emotional instability • Headaches • Malaise
Treatment of Zoloft Addiction
Zoloft withdrawal can cause potentially dangerous symptoms, making it important that Zoloft users or addicts seek personal care from a board-certified physician and board-certified addiction psychiatrist. Entering a center for 24/7 comfortable detox treatment is highly recommended to ensure the individual rids their body of the drug completely and have a better chance of staying off the drug in the future.
Withdrawal medications are often used by quality centers during the comfortable detox process. This approach is used to correct the chemical imbalances in the individual suffering from a Zoloft addiction and should be combined with psychological evaluations and other medical care to address cravings for the drug. Such an approach to treating the patient goes beyond merely alleviating the symptoms.
