Zoloft Detox & Comfortable Addiction Treatment

What is Zoloft?

Zoloft is the brand name of the prescription drug Sertraline. The drug can also be habit-forming and might require you to have Zoloft detox to safely live drug-free.

It is an antidepressant that belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Zoloft is used to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

SSRIs like Zoloft have long been associated with withdrawal symptoms when the use of the drugs is stopped or diminished abruptly.

Recovery professionals recommend facing Zoloft addiction with a long-term treatment plan that promotes positive decision-making and improvements to overall health.

This will all start by undergoing medically assisted Zoloft detox.

According to the US Food and Drugs Administration [1], taking this drug may cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Completing Zoloft detox with professional assistance can decrease your risk of relapse, enhance your comfort, and prepare you for entry into a rehab program if you intend to continue with your addiction treatment after detox.

This drug may also increase the risk of bleeding.

Taking it with aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk.

Antidepressant drugs may increase suicidal thoughts in people 24 yrs. of age and below, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed.

Common Side Effects of Zoloft

More Serious Side Effects of Zoloft

Serotonin Syndrome

This condition is one of the many serious side effects of using this drug and it can be life-threatening. Symptoms can include:

• Hallucinations
• Agitation
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Coma
• Fast heart rate
• Changes in blood pressure
• Muscle tremor
• Dizziness
• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Muscle rigidity

If you are addicted to this drug, a medical Zoloft detox program may provide the assistance and support you need to successfully wean yourself off of the medication and learn how to function without it daily.

Zoloft Overdose

A Zoloft overdose can become serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a medical emergency that causes fever, muscle tightness, confusion, and potentially lethal seizures; find out a medical-assisted Zoloft detox program.

Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

Zoloft Withdrawal

When you start the Zoloft detox process, withdrawal is a form of SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome. This condition will affect about 20% of people who use an SSRI.

Zoloft has a short half-life. Therefore its effects quickly wear off. Typically, drugs with a shorter half-life may indicate more potential withdrawal problems.

When a person suddenly stops taking this drug, their serotonin levels will abruptly decline. As a result, a person may experience physical as well as mental effects.

It is important to consult a professional, to begin with, Zoloft detox by gradually reducing the number of drugs until the individual stop completely.

This method is sometimes called tapering.

The length of time a person has been taking Zoloft will usually determine the length of the tapering strategy.

Typically, tapering lasts four weeks, but a doctor may suggest tapering the medication over 6–8 weeks to reduce the risk or severity of symptoms.

Possible symptoms of Zoloft withdrawal are:

• Chills
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Lack of concentration
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Recurring nightmares and vivid dreams
• Suicidal thoughts
• Tingling sensations in the skin
• Vertigo

Zoloft Withdrawal Timeline

24 – 72 hours

The first symptoms are felt within the first 24-72 hours after discontinuation. Usually, the first few days without Zoloft feel very uncomfortable.

Flu-like symptoms, mood swings, and racing or erratic thoughts are a few of the symptoms. Also, feelings of anxiety and strong craving tend to occupy the mind.

Seizures may occur in the first few days of Zoloft withdrawal. This is another reason why all cases of drug withdrawal should be medically supervised.

Week 1

In the first week after coming on Zoloft Detox, mood swings, fatigue, muscle tension, and even feelings of dissociation (that you are disconnected from your body) may occur.

The presence of medical professionals who follow the health condition and can provide either medication or psychological support is very important.

The symptoms are at their peak during the first few weeks.

Therefore the individual should try to endure the powerful cravings and find something that will occupy time and keep thoughts away from Zoloft.

Week 2

The second week is much easier compared to the first week. When a person reaches this period of withdrawal, the physical symptoms typically subside.

However, one may still struggle with insomnia or have vivid dreams or nightmares. These things will subside with time.

Week 3+

The most common symptoms after three weeks include weight gain, rebound depression, and overall feelings of malaise.

At this phase, the biggest challenge would be gathering the strength to carry on and live life without the need to use Zoloft. The most critical symptom at this period is depression.

Having low levels of motivation is the common trigger for relapsing back into the old patterns of use, but one must remain strong and find the will to beat this challenge.

Medically Assisted Zoloft Detox and Treatment

Many forms of treatment are available, but the first step towards a successful Zoloft recovery is detox. Withdrawal from this drug requires care from Zoloft detox specialists.

Medically–assisted detox removes the element of needless suffering and minimizes the potential risks of withdrawal.

Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use;

Addressing underlying mental health disorders is all a part of setting clients up for success.

After you’ve completed a Zoloft detox program, you may advance your treatment with a comfortable long-term rehab program.

Fewer than 20% of people on antidepressants undergo psychotherapy, although it’s often important in recovering from depression and avoiding recurrence. [2]

Talk therapy and other non-medication treatments should be continued normally to treat the psychological withdrawal symptoms of this drug.

Following detox, most clients will receive recommendations to continue with their addiction treatment.

Any addiction treatment program for Zoloft detox should be integrated with individual or group therapy.

Typically, treatment continues in the form of inpatient rehab, with a special focus on the following aspects of addiction recovery:

• Relapse prevention
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Individual and group therapy
• 12-Step Program work
• Family therapy
• Chemical dependency education

Is Zoloft addictive? Yes, this drug has a potent antidepressant effect, so it is one of the biggest risks in generating dependence.

People are much less likely to relapse after recovering from depression if they exercise three times a week or more.

Exercise makes serotonin more available for binding to receptor sites on nerve cells.

Exercise can compensate for changes in serotonin levels as the person tapers off SRIs and other medications that target the serotonin system.

Check-in a Zoloft detox treatment in a facility that offers holistic treatment and programs that promotes physical activities.

If you’re searching for Zoloft detox and treatment, call Level Up West Palm today to learn more. Our caring and knowledgeable admissions team are ready to take your call.