Seroquel is not a highly addictive substance. But if you’ve been using it for an extended period, certain Seroquel withdrawal symptoms can make it difficult to quit.
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call us today or visit our admissions page to start your journey toward recovery.
What Is Seroquel?
Seroquel is the brand name of a prescription medication that is used to treat many mental health conditions. The primary active ingredient in Seroquel is quetiapine, which is classified as a second-generation, or atypical, antipsychotic.
Typical Uses
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally approved quetiapine in 1997. Today, Seroquel’s FDA-approved uses include treating adults who have:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder (as an adjunct to antidepressants)
The FDA has also authorized Seroquel to be used for adolescents ages 13-17 who have schizophrenia, and adolescents ages 10-17 who have been experiencing manic episodes due to bipolar disorder.
Physicians also sometimes prescribe Seroquel on an off-label basis to treat patients who have:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Psychosis associated with Parkinson’s disease
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Major depressive disorder (without antidepressants)
- Insomnia
Adverse Effects
Common side effects that have been linked to Seroquel use include:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Weight gain
Less common but more serious side effects include:
- Uncontrolled trembling, shaking, and/or twitching
- Blurred vision
- Muscle rigidity
- Racing heart rate
- Drop or increase in blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing, and speaking
- Incontinence
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Seroquel Withdrawal Symptoms
Seroquel does not pose a significant risk of addiction, which means that people are unlikely to feel compelled to use the drug or find it difficult to control how much they use.
However, Seroquel has been linked with one common addiction-related symptom: withdrawal.
Withdrawal occurs when a person abruptly ends or reduces their use of a substance after their body has adapted to the substance’s presence. Seroquel is one of several prescription medications that can cause withdrawal symptoms, particularly if a person has been taking them for an extended period of time.
For drugs such as alcohol and opioids, withdrawal can be an excruciating process that keeps people trapped in active addiction. Seroquel withdrawal symptoms are unlikely to be as severe as that, but they can still include both physical and psychological distress.
Common physical symptoms of Seroquel withdrawal include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Tics and tremors
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Fever and/or chills
- Excessive perspiration
- Nausea
- Vomiting
From a psychological perspective, Seroquel withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Confusion
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Agitation and irritability
- Dysphoria (overall sense of dissatisfaction)
- Depression
- Disrupted sleep
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating
- Thoughts of suicide
The nature and intensity of Seroquel withdrawal symptoms can vary considerably from one person to the next. Influential factors can include the individual’s age, weight, and metabolism; their current health status; the amount and frequency of their Seroquel use; and if they have also been using other prescription medications or recreational drugs.
Tips for Managing Seroquel Withdrawal Symptoms
The best tip for managing Seroquel withdrawal symptoms is to talk to your doctor before you stop taking it.
You should never end or otherwise alter your Seroquel use without first speaking with the professional who prescribed the medication to you. In addition to helping you avoid intense withdrawal symptoms, your doctor can also ensure that you don’t experience other health-related ramifications.
If your doctor agrees that it’s time for you to switch to another med or quit using antipsychotics altogether, they can set up a tapering schedule that will allow you to gradually reduce your Seroquel use over an extended period of time.
Following this type of plan will help your body adjust to having increasingly smaller amounts of the medication in your system, which can prevent or lessen the intensity of withdrawal.
Other steps that can help you manage withdrawal symptoms while you are tapering your Seroquel use include:
- Staying hydrated: Drinking enough water can reduce headaches and help you maintain your energy.
- Following a healthy diet plan: Nutritious food can enhance your physical and psychological well-being.
- Exercising regularly: Exercise can be an excellent stress reliever, while also helping you develop greater stamina and resilience.
- Employing self-soothing techniques: Meditation, breathing exercises, and other techniques can ease both physical discomfort and emotional distress.
- Avoiding isolation: Being able to discuss challenges and difficulties with people who care about you can help you address smaller problems before they become major concerns.
Treatment Options for Seroquel Withdrawal
If your experience with Seroquel withdrawal is particularly upsetting, or if you are concerned about managing your mental health without this medication, you may want to consider enrolling in a detox program and/or residential rehab.
Detox is a safe, closely supervised environment where you can receive both medical and therapeutic support to minimize your discomfort while you complete the withdrawal process.
Residential rehab can help you develop more effective symptom-management strategies so that you can take greater control of your thoughts and behaviors. During rehab, you can also learn how to build a more effective personal support network and become an informed self-advocate.
Find Help for Seroquel Withdrawal in Atlanta
Retreat of Atlanta is a premier source of personalized care for adults whose lives have been disrupted by Seroquel withdrawal and certain mental health concerns.
When you choose our detox and residential rehab program in Atlanta, GA, you will have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with a team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals. We will assess the full scope of your needs, help you set short- and long-term goals, and develop a customized treatment plan just for you.
With our support and a concerted effort on your part, you can find your path toward a much healthier and more satisfying future. To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.