Can Antidepressants Help Overcome Addiction?

The most popular SSRI brands, such as Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, and Lexapro, are types of antidepressants that are used to treat mental illness. Across the United States, there is a significant stigma surrounding these medications. However, they can also be used as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to promote recovery from substance use disorder. Another type of antidepressant medication is known as tricyclic antidepressants.

These medications work by increasing the amount of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain. Although they tend to cause more side effects than other types of antidepressants, they are used in people who haven't responded well to SSRIs and SNRIs. It's important to note that addiction to antidepressants doesn't happen in the same way as addiction to substances such as alcohol and heroin. In fact, antidepressants can help people overcome methamphetamine addiction by reducing cravings and making the drug less effective when abused.