What Happens When You Stop Taking Trazodone Cold Turkey?

Trazodone is an atypical antidepressant that is commonly prescribed for depression and insomnia. It works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain – a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. While trazodone can be very helpful for many people, stopping it abruptly or “cold turkey” can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. In this article, we’ll explore what happens when you stop taking trazodone without tapering off as well as tips for discontinuing trazodone safely.

Why People Stop Taking Trazodone Cold Turkey

There are several reasons why someone might decide to stop taking trazodone cold turkey rather than tapering off slowly under medical supervision:

• They feel like the drug is no longer working effectively.
• They are experiencing unpleasant side effects.
• They want to switch medications.
• They feel like they no longer need the medication.
• They cannot afford the prescription anymore.
• They simply forgot to get a refill.

Regardless of the reason, it’s never advisable to stop taking any psychiatric medication abruptly Always consult your doctor first to develop a safe discontinuation plan Stopping trazodone suddenly can lead to difficult withdrawal symptoms.

Trazodone Withdrawal Timeline

When you stop taking trazodone cold turkey, withdrawal symptoms can begin within 1-3 days and peak around 5 days after your last dose. The timeline may vary slightly depending on factors like:

• How long you were taking trazodone
• The dosage you were prescribed
• If you are on any other medications
• Your own body chemistry

Overall, trazodone withdrawal symptoms can last around 2-4 weeks as your brain chemistry adjusts to the absence of the drug. Here is an overview of the typical trazodone withdrawal timeline

Days 1-3

• The first signs of withdrawal start to appear including headache, nausea, sweating, irritability, and insomnia.

Days 4-5

• Withdrawal symptoms peak in intensity. This is typically when symptoms like “brain zaps”, anxiety, confusion and rapid mood swings emerge.

Days 6-7

• The most severe withdrawal effects begin improving. However, symptoms persist.

Weeks 2-4

• Lingering withdrawal effects continue to taper off slowly until they have fully resolved. Mood and sleep issues may still be present.

Trazodone Withdrawal Symptoms

When trazodone is stopped abruptly, a number of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can develop. The most common symptoms include:

Physical withdrawal symptoms:

• Headaches, migraines
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo
• Tremors, shaking, muscle spasms
• Insomnia, vivid dreams, nightmares
• Fatigue, lethargy, brain fog
• Sensory disturbances (“brain zaps”)
• Tingling, numbness, pain
• Sweating, chills, hot flashes
• Heart palpitations, high blood pressure

Psychological withdrawal symptoms:

• Depression, crying spells
• Anxiety, panic attacks
• Irritability, agitation, anger
• Mood swings
• Lack of motivation, apathy
• Brain fog, confusion
• Suicidal thoughts

The intensity of symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the individual. Psychological symptoms may be especially tough for those taking trazodone for depression. Insomnia and nightmares are also very common since trazodone is often prescribed for sleep.

Dangers of Stopping Trazodone Cold Turkey

While trazodone withdrawal is seldom life-threatening, quitting cold turkey does carry certain risks:

• Severe depression – Risk of suicidal thoughts may increase especially if trazodone was prescribed for depression initially.

• Difficulty functioning – Withdrawal can impair your ability to work, go to school, care for family, and manage daily tasks.

• Relapse of insomnia – Those taking it for sleep disorders may experience worsening insomnia.

• ** Anxiety or panic attacks** – These may emerge even if you didn’t have issues before.

• Psychosis – There have been rare cases of psychotic reactions during trazodone withdrawal.

• Seizures – Quitting abruptly may rarely trigger seizures. Those with a history of seizures face higher risk.

While very uncommon, trazodone withdrawal can also increase the risk of potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome especially if mixed with other drugs. Seek emergency care if you experience high fever, agitation, muscle rigidity, vomiting, racing heart rate, seizures or loss of consciousness while stopping trazodone.

Safely Discontinuing Trazodone

To minimize the risk of difficult withdrawal symptoms, it is critical to never stop taking trazodone suddenly. Follow these tips for safely discontinuing trazodone:

• Consult your doctor – Never change medication dosage without first discussing with your physician. They can help create a customized tapering schedule for you.

• Taper slowly – Gradually reduce your trazodone dose over many weeks and months to avoid symptoms. Some doctors recommend decreasing dose by 25-50 mg each week.

• Take missed doses – If you miss a dose during your taper, take it as soon as you remember. Withdrawing too quickly raises your risk of effects.

• Avoid triggers – Steer clear of alcohol and drugs during withdrawal as they can worsen symptoms. Reduce stress levels if possible too.

• Enlist support – Confide in loved ones so they can watch for concerning symptoms like suicidal thinking. Consider counseling as well.

• Try alternatives – Discuss non-drug and lifestyle approaches to managing insomnia or depression with your healthcare provider.

• Be patient – Know that withdrawal symptoms will improve with time as your brain chemistry normalizes. Hang in there.

Following your doctor’s guidance, tapering trazodone slowly, and using healthy coping strategies can help you safely transition off this medication. Don’t hesitate to seek medical care if symptoms become severe. With the right plan, you can discontinue trazodone in a controlled manner.

Seeking Treatment for Trazodone Addiction

While trazodone has a relatively low potential for abuse, addiction is still possible in some individuals especially at high doses. Warning signs of trazodone addiction include:

• Taking more than the prescribed amount
• Continuing use despite harmful side effects
• Doctor shopping to get multiple prescriptions
• Intense drug cravings
• Building up a tolerance and needing more to get high
• Mixing trazodone with alcohol or other drugs
• Inability to cut back or quit despite negative consequences
• Spending excessive time and energy obtaining trazodone

If you or someone you know is addicted to trazodone, professional treatment can help overcome dependency on this drug. Options include:

Medical Detox

Medically-monitored detox provides 24/7 care while safely flushing trazodone from your system. Medications and other therapies help ease the severity of withdrawal.

Inpatient Rehab

Residential rehab removes you from the triggers of everyday life so you can focus fully on sobriety. Individual and group counseling address the root causes driving your trazodone addiction.

Outpatient Programs

Outpatient treatment offers structured therapy sessions multiple times per week while allowing you to live at home. Both individual and group counseling are utilized. Day treatment programs provide the intensity of inpatient rehab while allowing you to return home each evening.

12-Step Groups

Peer support groups like Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery provide ongoing assistance and community throughout the recovery process.

Aftercare Support

Ongoing aftercare services such as counseling, peer support groups and relapse prevention education help sustain sobriety long-term after completing a rehab program.

Overcoming trazodone addiction is possible with comprehensive treatment tailored to your unique needs. Talk to an addiction specialist for help finding the right recovery options for you.

The Bottom Line

While trazodone can be effective when taken as prescribed under a doctor’s care, quitting cold turkey often leads to difficult withdrawal symptoms that may persist for weeks. Never stop trazodone abruptly – always taper slowly under medical supervision. Seek emergency care for seizures, fever, cardiac effects or other concerning symptoms while withdrawing. Those battling trazodone addiction can achieve lasting sobriety through professional treatment programs. Consult your physician or an addiction specialist to get started on the road to recovery today.