HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Can Drug Addiction Cause Depression?

Posted on Wed, 22 Jun 2016

Question: Thanks doctor..i had discussed with my doctor...i have no problem of smoking now..but i want to know y i dont feel pleasure in any activity n i have no interest in the activities i enjoyed earlier..is nodict destroys the cells is that is the reason..as dont feel pleasure in any activity..my doctor told me that first we increases retalin 150mg to 200 but if it remains unaffective the we will changed treatment from ssri to snri whats ur opinion doctor?????n i wanna ask some further about nodict...that time i took drugs and then nodict after that i feel worse depression..n i took nodict for 5 days then again took drugs for month..i do this continously for one year also i took zosert two tablets in a day...i want not aware of how to take it.when i stats feels better i again stops and again starts taking drugs..is there any harm of taking antidepressants higher or lower doses ????

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Drug addiction can cause depression.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I have gone through your query and also the discussion which you had with other doctor here.

Nodict does not destroy the brain cells. It is not the reason for your depression. But, the drug addiction can be the reason for your depression.

I agree with your doctor that sertraline can be increased to upto 250mg. But as this drug is having no effect on you, it's better to switch to another antidepressant like desvenlafaxine.

Please donot restart with your drugs again once you start feeling better. Your depression will not be cured until you completely stop your drugs.

Antidepressants do have common side effects like weight gain, dizziness, heaviness in head and gastric upset. But these drugs should be taken only under your doctor's supervision in the doses as directed.

Hope this answers your query.
Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (22 minutes later)

Thanks doc..but i m worried about zosert side effects...as i took 2 tabs in a day n then leave n start taking drugs.. i was unaware how to took these tab..i was taking treatment from govt. Hospital so i didnot got proper advice n i did take meds n drugs without consulting...n depression is very worse this time...may i become proper fit after taking this treatment..i heard that there are antidepressant treatment worsen next episode...i took zosert one in the mrng n one in the evng..can this have harmful effects..

And there is always running thoughts on my mind...always remeber old mistakes..how can i come out of it?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Relaxation exercises.

Detailed Answer:
zosert is usually a safe medication. I do not think it will cause any side effects due to interaction with your drugs. But do not repeat this please.

Continuous thoughts are due to depression.
I would suggest you to practice relaxation exercises like deep breathing and meditation. This will keep mind calm and help you to come out of depression as well.

I wish you well.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (12 minutes later)

Thanks doc..last time when depression occurs..that time i was getting well very soon..but this time why it is taking so long.if there is deficiency of norepinephrine is ssri can treat it...how could i know my norepinephrine cell is less..can norepinephrine rebuilts automatically...or i have to change treatment from ssri to snri...my main symptom is lack of interest in any activities..also i feel lot of burden on my head...there is little improvement after increases dose from 150mg to 200 mg in seven days...could i get full effects from it..

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Switch to SNRI.

Detailed Answer:
The treatment of depression, if not taken for adequate period of time, can cause depression to relapse and it becomes difficult to treat.
The more number of times depression relapses, the more difficult it is to treat.

Norepinephrine can not be measured as such. And it not even necessary to measure the levels because some people respond to on drug and other respond to a different drug.

If you are not having much improvement with 200mg of sertraline, it's better to start switching to a SNRI. Kindly talk to your doctor about this.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar