Are Psychiatric Medications Addictive?

You might shy away from seeking help for psychiatric conditions because you’re worried about the addictive nature of some medications. In reality, only a few types of medications have the potential for unhealthy dependency, and the benefits outweigh the risks for informed patients.

At Genesis Psychiatric Solutions, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Ifeanyi Olele provides psychiatric services for patients, including medication management and gene testing to find the right medication for you.

Addiction vs. dependency

When talking about psychiatric medications, many people confuse addiction with dependency. Addiction is the loss of control over intense urges to take the drug, even if the medication has a negative effect. 

Dependency is your body’s reliance on a drug for its beneficial effects, and the chance that you’ll suffer withdrawal if you stop taking your medications abruptly. Many mental health medications do have a dependency aspect, but only a few have a risk of addiction.

Common mental health medications

For mild to moderate mental health issues, medication is usually the front line of defense, often combined with psychotherapy. Here are the most commonly prescribed psychotropic medications. 

Antidepressants

Antidepressant medications can relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, and even obsessive compulsive disorder.  The most common types of antidepressants are serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 

Antidepressants are not addictive. But they do need to be slowly stepped up and down, meaning once you are on them, you develop a physical dependence and will need to slowly taper off your medication to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. 

Antipsychotics 

These medications manage psychosis and are commonly prescribed for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Antipsychotics can alleviate symptoms and improve overall health, and are not addictive. But you also need to slowly increase the dose at the start of treatment and tapered down carefully at the end.

Anxiolytic medications

Anxiolytic medications are safe and effective. They can relieve anxiety, stop panic attacks, and improve sleep. But most of these medications are classed as benzodiazepines, which can be addictive for certain people due to their sedative nature. 

Most doctors prescribe these medications for short-term use only until the underlying cause of anxiety is treated. After that, they may be used as a rescue medication during an anxiety or panic attack, or for occasional bouts of insomnia.   

Stimulants

Prescription stimulants treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as conditions like narcolepsy by increasing brain activity and encouraging a sense of wellness and energy. 

These medications are not addictive when taken correctly, but are a higher risk for abuse as some people may start to take them recreationally outside of their prescribed intention. 

Most psychiatric medications are not addictive in nature. But, as noted, there are a few medications that pose a risk for addiction based on misuse or an individual's predilection for addictive behavior. 

Always take your medications in accordance with Dr. Olele’s instructions and discuss any medication changes before making them.   

Do you think you may need medication for a mental health issue? Call us at the Genesis Psychiatric Solutions location closest to you, or request a consultation online. We have offices in Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia, and in Washington, DC.