Can you get high on Zoloft?

Most people DO NOT get high on Zoloft. In fact, less than 1% of people who take Zoloft get high on it. Learn why not, plus a brief look at Zoloft addiction risk.

3
minute read

Sometimes.

If you are one of many people getting on Zoloft and are worried about feeling high or euphoric on Zoloft, don’t. Getting high on Zoloft doesn’t happen very frequently. And if you want to use Zoloft to get high, don’t bother. We review why here.

Zoloft chemistry and use

Zoloft is a type of medicine used to treat anxiety and depression. Zoloft is from a new class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and is thought to work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, which changes the brain’s receptors to serotonin, making them more sensitive to this particular chemical. Similar and popular medications in this class of drugs includes Prozac and Trazodone.  The end result of using SSRIs is increased perceptions of happiness and fullness and decreased perception of pain. In other words, taking Zoloft can increase your quality of life.  But can it get you high?

Zoloft and euphoric effect

Antidepressants like Zoloft do not bring about happiness, they just relieve depression. The most common description of the effects of Zoloft is a gradual feeling that depression lifts.  Not of euphoria or feeling high. In fact, Zoloft starts working only after you take it regularly.  Most people start feeling normal after 3-6 weeks of taking Zoloft – the average time it takes for how long zoloft to work.  Again, people who respond to antidepressants are not euphoric but report feeling more balanced emotional states.

During clinical trials, for example, researchers found that Zoloft infrequently created feelings of euphoria associated with feeling high. These infrequent cases occurred in 1/100 to 1/1000 of people who took Zoloft, the same percentage of people who report prozac high.  By contrast and FYI, trazodone high is not even possible.  So although it is possible to get high on Zoloft, it is highly unlikely that euphoric effect will occur.

Can you get addicted to Zoloft?

Experts are still not sure if Zoloft is physically addictive, or not. Clinical trials did not reveal any tendency for withdrawal syndrome when you stop taking Zoloft or drug-seeking behavior that is typical of drug that produce a high. But Zoloft does affect the central nervous system and doctors need to be aware of past drug abuse because this can lead to misuse or abuse of Zoloft, characterized by tolerance to the drug, increasing doses, and drug-seeking behavior.

Are you struggling with Zoloft? You can give an end to your abuse and addiction problem, and learn more about what happens when you seek help in our Zoloft Addiction Treatment Program and Help GUIDE…and get rid of the grip this antidepressant has on you once and for all.

Let’s verify your coverage for treatment at an American Addiction Centers location. Your information is kept 100% confidential.

 

Questions about Zoloft

Please leave your questions or experiences below. We are here to help you and to help connect you with other people interested in Zoloft. We answer all questions personally and may even respond with a new article! Your feedback and comments are welcomed.

Reference sources: Daily Med drug info for Zoloft
MIT drug chart comparison
Stanford University Mood and Anxiety Disorders Laboratory info on antidepressants
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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