Trazodone Abuse: Effects, Signs & Symptoms

Trazodone Abuse: Effects, Signs & SymptomsTrazodone, which is sold under the brand names Desyrel, Oleptro and Dividose, is an antidepressant medication used to treat both depression and anxiety disorders, which often occur together. It can also be prescribed as a remedy for sleeplessness, due to its sedating effects.

Despite not being as well-known as other antidepressants, trazodone is considered one of the safest and most reliable medications in its class. About 28 million prescriptions for trazodone were written in 2015, and that is nearly double the rate from 10 years earlier1.

Classified as an atypical antidepressant, trazodone disrupts the brain’s capacity to absorb the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is involved in the regulation of mood and sleep cycles, among its many vital functions2. Boosting serotonin helps restore emotional equilibrium in those who are battling anxiety or depression, and it can also counteract the chemical imbalances implicated in insomnia.

But trazodone is not a risk-free substance. Like all antidepressants, trazodone is a potent medication that can cause dependency if misused, and trazodone addiction is a possible result for those who take the drug without a prescription or in excess of prescribed supplies.

If you or a loved one have been abusing this medication, and are experiencing cravings or withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop, you should see a physician or addiction specialist to be evaluated for trazodone addiction.

Symptoms and Side Effects of Trazodone Abuse

Some users find trazadone highly effective, to the point where they’re tempted to keep using it indefinitely. This is especially common among people who experience panic attacks or severe depression and are desperate for relief, or among those who have chronic sleeping problems and appreciate trazodone’s drowsiness-inducing effects.

An additional problem is that some people use trazodone recreationally, often as a part of drug mixtures. Trazodone will not produce euphoria, but it does create feelings of extreme relaxation and general wellbeing that some people find appealing.

It is not easy to become addicted to trazodone. But extended use is a recipe for trouble. There are some sure signs that might indicate you’ve developed a dependency on the drug and are using it too frequently.

Some of the physical symptoms of trazodone abuse include3:

  • Nausea
  • Muscle cramps or pain
  • Headaches
  • Constipation
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Dry mouth
  • Lightheadedness
  • Sluggishness, lethargy
  • Poor coordination
  • Slowed reflexes
  • Numbness in the extremities

Behavioral Signs of Trazodone Abuse

As your reliance on trazodone increases and your ability to control your drug use declines, behavioral signs of drug dependency will become evident. They may include:

  • Doctor shopping (visiting multiple medical practitioners looking for more trazadone prescriptions)
  • Obtaining extra supplies of trazadone from illegal sources or from theft
  • Compulsive use of the drug, in amounts greater than expected or intended
  • Lying about your trazadone use coupled with hiding it from friends and family members
  • Making drug use a priority, leaving no time for activities you enjoyed in the past
  • Continuing to use trazadone to excess, despite growing financial and interpersonal problems linked to its consumption

Such behaviors usually develop in response to strong physical and/or psychological cravings for trazodone and a growth in tolerance for the drug, which will require greater consumption of trazodone to achieve the same effects.

More serious health issues may ultimately develop, possibly including:

  • Fainting spells
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Vomiting
  • Extreme drowsiness that lasts for hours
  • Respiratory distress
  • Seizures

Combined with the telltale behavioral symptoms of addiction, these physical manifestations of drug abuse are a warning sign you cannot afford to ignore. Your body is sending you a message that it’s time to get help. And if you fail to do so the results could be tragic.

Reach Out For Help

We provide holistic care and treatment using an individualized approach specifically tailored to your needs. Our holistic care and treatment is based on the best scientific evidence available. Secondly, we help you lead a healthy, substance-free life with adaptive coping and problem-solving skills. Don’t let Trazodone addiction control your life. Our addiction professionals can help you get on a path of recovery, significantly changing your life. Contact us today for more information on our certified staff of professionals, as well as our first-rate facilities.