(Sertraline) Zoloft Detox Symptoms, Timeline, Withdrawal Side Effects, & Detox Treatment

Zoloft Withdrawal Symptoms Dangers & Warnings

Zoloft (sertraline) Withdrawal symptoms, commonly called “discontinuation symptoms,” can occur when the medication is stopped suddenly. These symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, headaches, anxiety, and flu-like symptoms. It is recommended that medication be gradually reduced when it is time to stop taking it.

Zoloft abuse can lead to habit-forming dependence and addiction. Many drugs that fall into the SSRI classification are not addictive. However, Zoloft abuse studies have shown the opposite with this particular medication.

In most cases, prescription pill addictions develop because the patient taking them chooses to abuse them, but that’s not always the case.  For instance, someone abusing Zoloft may take more significant amounts of the drug more often or crush the tablets and snort them instead of taking them orally.

Given that, it is possible to develop a tolerance to Zoloft, leading to an increased dosage taken (either by the doctor or the patient). As a result, users may increase how much or how often they take Zoloft frequently, and once that occurs, stopping it results in Zoloft withdrawal, which can last a long time.

Users experience withdrawal symptoms of Zoloft once they try to stop taking Zoloft. Zoloft’s withdrawals can be harmful even when the medication has been tapered down.

Zoloft Withdrawal Timeline

Generally, Zoloft detox will exacerbate Zoloft withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft will eventually subside within a month, although some people may endure experiencing Zoloft withdrawal symptoms for upwards of 90 days. Elongated Zoloft withdrawals are identified as post-acute Zoloft withdrawals.

The severity and span of Zoloft withdrawal symptoms will differ on a case-by-case basis depending on how long you used the drug, dosage, and several biological factors, so there is no dedicated timeline for Zoloft withdrawal. Depending on the abovementioned determinants, you may take a long week or more to complete the Zoloft detox for the withdrawal symptoms to disappear.

After you’ve completed a detox program for Zoloft addiction, you may advance your treatment with a long-term rehab program. Moreover, continuing your addiction treatment after detox can help you address the psychological problems related to your addiction and pinpoint the leading causes of your addictive behaviors.

What is the duration of withdrawal from Zoloft for those who are tapering off? Based on the length of use, dosage, user physiology, and time taken to taper off, sertraline withdrawal symptoms can vary in intensity and duration. The symptoms can be lessened or entirely avoided by gradually weaning off Zoloft under a doctor’s supervision. Typically, sertraline is tapered off over four weeks. Under a sample taper schedule, reduce the dose by 50 mg every 5-7 days for 25–50 mg before stopping the medication.

What Is Zoloft, Sertraline, Or Clonazepam?

Sertraline, sold under the brand name Zoloft, is an antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It’s often used to treat depression and sometimes panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).   

Zoloft has been very useful in helping individuals to manage their thought patterns. It’s also helped to improve many people’s energy and appetite levels. In addition, those who take it often experience better sleep. Zoloft was one of the most prescribed antidepressants by 2011, and it was presented as an option for those suffering from mental disorders in 1991.

Is Zoloft addictive? Zoloft is a popular antidepressant, but it can pose risks and be addictive. If you are addicted to this drug, a medical Zoloft detox program may assist and support you need to successfully wean yourself off the medication and learn to function without it daily.

Those taking sertraline should continue their regular prescribed dosage, even if they feel better. Missing doses of sertraline can also run the risk of relapsing into the symptoms being treated in the first place. However, if your doctor recommends discontinuing taking the drug, it’s important to wean off Zoloft mindfully to mitigate any withdrawal symptoms and side effects.

Zoloft Overdose Symptoms

Since Zoloft is so effective for anxiety, panic attacks, or stress-related disorders, it is frequently prescribed for long-term use. Due to long-term use, Zoloft abuse can become habit-forming. Unfortunately, users addicted to the drug might experience a dangerous overdose.

The most common symptoms of a Zoloft overdose include nausea, tremors, lethargy, agitation, confusion, and vomiting. If you have taken Zoloft excessively, contact Poison Control and seek emergency care immediately to avoid serious side effects like an overdose.

Zoloft Pill Images

During a professional Zoloft detox program, your doctor may gradually reduce your dose of Zoloft or switch you to a different antidepressant with fewer side effects. They may also prescribe medications to ease Zoloft’s detox process. Additionally, doctors may recommend counseling and lifestyle changes to help manage Zoloft withdrawal symptoms.

Learn more:

• Prescription Pill Detox

• Xanax Detox
• Panic Attacks Treatment
• OCD Treatment
• PTSD Treatment
• Zoloft Withdrawal Treatment
• Residential Rehab
• Zoloft Side Effects, What To Expect During The First Week
• Zoloft and Alcohol, Is it Safe to Mix?
• Detox Programs

• Drowsiness
• Agitation
• Hallucinations
• Fever
• Sweating
• Confusion
• Fast heartbeat
• Shivering
• Severe Muscle Stiffness or twitching
• Nausea

• Loss of coordination
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Mania
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

24.3%

For both sexes, the overall rate of antidepressant use increased with age; the rate was highest among women 60 and older (24.3%).

Source: CDC

13.2%

13.2% of adults 18 and older used antidepressants between 2015 and 2018.

Source: CDC

Managing Zoloft Detox Withdrawal Symptoms

Managing and controlling withdrawal symptoms will be most successful when Sertraline dosage is gradually decreased. Your brain can gradually adjust to lower doses of sertraline and eventually to no medication by gradually reducing the dosage.

Having a clear understanding of the symptoms to expect will also aid in managing withdrawal. Knowing that many symptoms are common will help you deal with them mentally by lowering your anxiety about them.

Sertraline’s psychological withdrawal symptoms should be managed generally with talk and non-drug therapies.

Exercise could also be beneficial. It is well known that exercise enhances both physical and mental wellness.

A balanced diet may also be beneficial. Consume healthy, whole foods instead of foods like caffeine and sweets known to make people jittery. A nutrient-rich, balanced diet may help address Sertraline withdrawal’s physiological and psychological effects.

• Myoclonus:  A quick, involuntary muscle jerk.
• Muscle Rigidity:  The inability of the muscles to relax usually.  The condition can affect any of the muscles in the body, causing sharp pain that makes it difficult to move.
• Diaphoresis:  Excessive, abnormal sweating
• Tremor:  An involuntary quivering movement

• Hyperreflexia:  An exaggerated response of the deep tendon reflexes, usually resulting from injury to the central nervous system
• Agitated Delirium:  A controversial syndrome sometimes characterized as a potentially fatal state of extreme agitation and delirium
• Hyperthermia:  The body temperature is exceedingly above normal.

• Feelings of Paranoia
• Demonstrating Aggression
• Feeling that You’re Depressed

• Exhibiting Anxiety or having Panic Attacks
• Being unable to fall asleep at night

• Feeling as though you have a terrible case of the flu
• Feeling sick to your stomach
• Achiness over your entire body
• Experiencing severe fatigue

• The blurriness of your vision
• Dizziness or Vertigo
• Experiencing Insomnia

Zoloft Withdrawal Detox

About a fifth of people prescribed SSRI drugs like Zoloft experienced severe withdrawal symptoms when they attempted to wean themselves off it. Therefore, these Zoloft withdrawal symptoms signify that the body is physically dependent on the drug, making it painful to stop using it.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms during Zoloft Detox

If you’ve never been to drug rehab, there are a few things you can anticipate.  Firstly, during recovery, clients attend educational lectures about the illness of addiction, work the 12 steps (or similar recovery program), learn and execute relapse prevention strategies, and attend group and individual counseling.  Then, gain fundamental life skills while adhering to a structured daily schedule.

Above all, drug and alcohol rehab is intended to assist clients in getting down to the root causes of their addiction and learning how to maintain a lifestyle of sobriety on their own.