9 Alternatives to Antidepressants

There are alternatives to antidepressants for treating depression, and this page covers nine of them. Some are therapies, some are changes to sleep, exercise and diet, and some are clinical treatments used when medication has not worked. None of them is a reason to stop a prescription on your own, because stopping an antidepressant abruptly carries its own risks.

Depression is a common issue that many Americans face. 13.1% of Americans aged 12 and older, equivalent to over 1 in 8 people, reported recent depressive symptoms in a two-week period, which is the leading cause of disability worldwide.¹ Many people with depression also have co-occurring disorders like substance abuse problems or sleep disorders that can increase the negative symptoms of both and make recovery very difficult.

While only about 40 percent of people who suffer from depression receive treatment for it, many who do receive a prescription for antidepressant drugs.¹ One in nine Americans takes an antidepressant, but like any drug, there are some risks involved, including addiction.²

Some people who initially start using antidepressants for the treatment of anxiety disorders may develop an addiction or dependence to the drugs. This can lead to further problems involving substance abuse, worsening depression, financial difficulties, relationship problems, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors, among other negative side effects.

While antidepressants can help many people live better lives and effectively manage symptoms of depression, the misuse of antidepressants or abuse of other drugs and alcohol can contribute to mental health problems make depressive symptoms worse, resulting in a cycle of ongoing worsening drug abuse and depression.

If you are recovering from substance abuse and are looking for alternatives to antidepressants, you’re in luck because there are many! Symptoms of depression can sometimes persist in recovery and while antidepressants may work for some people, there are also several different ways to cope and manage these symptoms without prescription drugs.

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What are Antidepressants?

Antidepressants are a common type of prescription drugs that are used to treat moderate to severe depression, OCD, and anxiety. They are generally viewed as a safer alternative to benzodiazepines like, Ambien, or. Antidepressant use has increased in recent years and these drugs are the third leading type of prescription drug used by Americans³

Nearly 13 percent of the U.S. population used an antidepressant in the past month and women are twice as likely as men to take them. People over the age of 60 are also more likely to use antidepressants, with about 19 percent of adults over the age of 60 taking an antidepressant in the past month.⁴

Antidepressants work differently than addictive drugs like heroin or methamphetamine and they do not produce euphoric effects or cravings. However, they can cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, especially among those who misuse them.

Some antidepressants work by altering the brain’s chemical balance of serotonin, which is a naturally-occurring chemical in the body that contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being. Other antidepressants interact with both serotonin and norepinephrine, which is a stress hormone found in the body that also influences mood.

What Are Examples of Common Antidepressants

Most antidepressants are available in tablet or capsule form and are taken orally. Some examples of common antidepressants include:

• Celexa (citalopram)
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• Desyrel (trazodone)
• Effexor (venlafaxine)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Viibryd
• Wellbutrin (bupropion)
• Zoloft

Why Are Antidepressants Addictive?

Antidepressants aren’t typically considered to be addictive in the same ways other substances like alcohol are. This is because people who are physically dependent on them rarely give up personal responsibilities to use them, experience cravings, or experience long-term addictive behaviors like a loss of control using them.

Although antidepressants may not be defined as “addictive”, people can (and do) become physically dependent on them. This can cause physical and psychological problems and people who take large doses of antidepressants are at risk of overdosing. Some people may also abuse antidepressants to try to get high, even though these prescription drugs won’t produce the same euphoric effects as other addictive substances.

What Is Antidepressant Abuse and Dependence

Antidepressants don’t provide immediate relief from symptoms of depression. Instead, they work over time, accumulating in the brain and sometimes taking weeks to relieve symptoms. As a result, many people may believe that they need a larger dose to experience relief. While a small number of people may try to abuse antidepressants to get high, most people who misuse antidepressants are taking larger doses than necessary because they believe they need more of the drug to experience its effects more quickly or more intensely.

Waiting for antidepressants to start working can be difficult, especially if the depression is severe. Some people may also start abusing other substances like alcohol, marijuana, or prescription opioids as a way to cope in the meantime.

Antidepressants may sometimes be prescribed as a short-term solution, but long-term misuse of these drugs can have harmful consequences. Taking large doses of antidepressants is very dangerous and can cause seizures or overdose.

Once you are physically dependent or psychologically addicted, suddenly stopping your antidepressant use is very likely to cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia or vivid dreams
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Irritability
• Flu-like symptoms, including achy muscles and chills
• Nausea
• Electric shock sensations
• Return of depression symptoms⁶

Even people who aren’t addicted to or dependent on antidepressants are likely to experience these withdrawal symptoms, so quitting without medical assistance can be difficult. Fortunately, your doctor can help you wean yourself off the drugs or, if you have been misusing them regularly, you can complete a medical detox program to reduce the discomfort of antidepressant withdrawal symptoms.

Antidepressant drugs are most often prescribed alongside other treatment methods like cognitive behavioral therapy. This is often the best way to treat and resolve symptoms of depression due to the many different contributing factors that cause it.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, depression is a treatable disorder and there are several different approaches for treatment, including medication, therapy, and residential treatment, among others.⁷

If you are in recovery from drug addiction and you are struggling with symptoms of depression, you may choose to avoid antidepressants and the use of other similar prescription drugs. However, this doesn’t mean you have to continue to suffer from the symptoms of depression. There are many different ways to find relief without antidepressants that are scientifically proven to provide relief.⁸ Here are nine great alternatives to antidepressants.