Remeron is primarily used to counteract major depressive disorder and other mental health conditions. It has also been prescribed for anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses. However, it can lead to physical dependence or addiction, despite being considered nonaddictive by medical professionals.
Fortunately, Remeron addiction treatment centers in New York can help those who have become addicted to or dependent on the substance so that they can move past this and start handling what Remeron had been intended to treat in a different way, one that is more effective for them.
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Understanding Remeron
Remeron, known generically as mirtazapine, is a tetracyclic antidepressant. It was initially approved for treating clinical depression in the Netherlands in 1994 and in the United States in 1996. It works by adjusting neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, to create a balance, affecting the central nervous system (CNS).
Note that Remeron is the most common brand name for this antidepressant, which is more generally known as mirtazapine. It is also referred to by numerous other names throughout the world.
Mianserin, commonly known as Tolvon and predominantly prescribed in Europe, is similar.
Antidepressants and Other Uses
While Remeron primarily treats major depression, it is also prescribed for conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, OCD, insomnia, schizophrenia, and even drug abuse. Its ability to improve mood, induce relaxation, and increase appetite makes it useful in these contexts.
In fact, one of its off-label uses is treating drug addiction, and it is effective in doing so for many. It has often been prescribed to counteract addictions to substances such as marijuana, opioids, benzos, cocaine and alcohol.
Remeron partially does those things by making adjustments to the brain’s neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, to make them more balanced. It also has a similar effect on the body’s central nervous system.
Benefits of use can include improved mood and well-being, a sense of feeling relaxed and not as nervous as had previously been experienced, improved sleep and, only a positive if this is desired, an increase in appetite.
However, benefits experienced as a result of taking Remeron can result in a user becoming addicted to or dependent on it.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects of Remeron can include drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, bizarre dreams, and unwanted weight gain. Serious side effects may involve worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and severe behavioral changes. Adverse effects are more pronounced in those misusing the drug, especially when combined with substances like alcohol or cocaine.
Do keep in mind that side effects tend to be more common in the early going of treatment. Regardless, if you are experiencing any, particularly more serious ones, reach out to your doctor.
Individuals who are addicted to or dependent on Remeron will usually experience more pronounced side effects, both in number and severity, because they are likely taking more than they had been prescribed or any at all with no prescription or advisement. More severe side effects are also possible when prescribed Remeron use is combined with alcohol, cocaine or similar substances.
Also make sure to not combine the use of different antidepressants unless you have the approval of a medical professional as doing so will often result in greatly increased sedation and other side effects.
Although an overdose of Remeron is usually not as dangerous as an overdose of other similar substances, side effects related to that do still have the potential of being significant and dangerous. Examples of that include extremely low blood pressure, respiratory depression, seizures, cardiac arrest and hallucinations.
Withdrawal Effects
Withdrawing from Remeron can cause uncomfortable experiences, especially if use is stopped suddenly, particularly if the doses had been larger ones. Withdrawal symptoms on their own can result in users continuing to take it despite wanting to cease doing so.
One of the most common effects of stopping use is rebound depression while nausea and experiencing nightmares and irritability are possible as well. As a result, some will go through a seemingly never-ending cycle of using Remeron, stopping use, using it again and so on.
It is important to cease use safely and under the direction of a physician. A gradual reduction in use will usually be recommended.
Prescription Options
This treatment method is usually undergone for around nine months or 40 weeks. The dosage that is normally prescribed, particularly early on, is 15 mg/day. Other common dosages include 30 and 45 mg while smaller and larger ones are possible as well. Since Remeron usually calms the person taking it, it is normally recommended that it be taken closer to when they will be heading to sleep.
The effects of taking Remeron are usually experienced quickly while its half-life is normally around 30 hours. However, it can take about four weeks to experience the maximum benefits.
Identifying Addiction or Dependence
Those who have become addicted to or dependent on Remeron are usually wanting to increase its ability to calm them or boost their mood. This medication does not, however, produce a euphoric high as is the case for many drugs that people are addicted to, but what it does offer can still cause an addiction or dependence.
What is the difference between Addiction and Dependence?
Addiction results when something is compulsively repeated despite doing so resulting in negative consequences. Some common substances that people are addicted to include alcohol and opioids. However, just about anything can be the source of an addiction. Less common examples include shopping, playing video games, getting tattoos, cleaning and exercising.
Dependence occurs when someone is physically reliant on a substance. This often results when a drug that has been used causes a high, but increasing amounts of it must be consumed in the future to achieve that same high. Regardless of how the substance affects them, when someone is dependent on it, they will continue taking more and more of it as they chase that past experience.
Although not common in either case, an addiction to or dependence on Remeron is possible with a dependence being the more likely of the two.
Keep in mind that one of the ways that Remeron can be abused is by someone using it with the primary intent of counteracting the side effects of other substances. A common example of the latter type of substance is cocaine since a desire to calm down from how that drug has affected them is often wanted.
Treatment Options
For those struggling with Remeron dependence, inpatient and outpatient treatment programs are available. These programs often include detoxification, therapy, and aftercare support to manage cravings and prevent relapse. Healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of integrating counseling and support alongside medication to enhance recovery.
Seeking Help
If you or a loved one is experiencing addiction or dependence on Remeron, it is crucial to get help. Long Island Interventions offers treatment options tailored to individual needs, understanding that recovery is a non-linear process. Combining proper use of medication with counseling and support reduces the likelihood of addiction and aids in managing substance use disorders.
Conclusion
Remeron’s benefits in treating mental health conditions are significant, but the risk of addiction and dependence should not be ignored. Awareness of its side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and the importance of seeking professional help can lead to more effective management and recovery.
