Alternative to Meds Center has been the industry leader in helping people truly recover after drug use. Effexor withdrawal can be debilitating, and may seem impossible on your own.
The stats are pretty alarming on how many people use antidepressant drugs daily, and we know that once you start, it can be extremely difficult to stop. That is our specialty. Safe and comfortable Effexor withdrawal IS possible, without a return of symptoms.
Looking for sustainable help, instead of masking your symptoms?
You are invited to explore the statistics on our high rates of success and the unique philosophy that allows our clients to experience successful treatment. Orthomolecular medicine, environmental medicine, and safe & gradual tapering, are all supported by a very comprehensive set of adjunctive therapies to ease the process. We make the effort to investigate the contributors to original symptoms, and we understand the potential tangle that can occur with multiple prescriptions, and persisting negative outcomes. We address root causes in ways that are not toxic, and we have helped thousands of clients like yourself or your loved one, to find their way back to natural mental health. This has been our specialty for nearly 20 years.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
If you are reading this article, you may be looking into Effexor withdrawal for yourself or a loved one. You may even be struggling with an ongoing difficult withdrawal experience. We hope the information here will help.
Effexor (venlafaxine) is described as a medication that is thought or assumed to primarily target serotonin and norepinephrine.1,2,6 These are neurotransmitters that the body naturally creates. No drug creates neurotransmitters. Antidepressants accelerate the spending of available neurotransmitters.
The clinical data behind this type of prescription drug shows that in the short term, such a drug may help alleviate symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. However, continuing to take Effexor (now sold only as extended release form as Effexor XR) for longer than a few weeks can lead to challenging withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued. Effexor’s relatively short half-life can compound the problems of withdrawal considerably. More on that point will follow.
Effexor withdrawal symptoms can include:
Suicidality
Mania
Sexual dysfunction
Flu-like symptoms, i.e. nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, fatigue, general malaise, dizziness, headaches
Electric shock sensations, “brain zaps”
Anxiety
Worsened depression
Mood swings, irritability
Digestion problems, abdominal cramps
Loss of appetite
Below we’ll cover strategies that can help soften symptoms, while one is slowly tapering off Effexor.
Understanding How Effexor Works
Effexor causes a suspension or build-up of serotonin and norepinephrine molecules outside their normal pathways. Examples of some of the functions of serotonin, an inhibitory neurochemical, include mood and behavior regulation, gut health, digestion, and memory. Some examples of the functions of norepinephrine, an excitatory neurochemical, include regulation of cardiac output, regulation of blood sugar, signaling when other hormones should be released, blood flow, airflow, and many others. This hormone is colloquially known as the “fight or flight” hormone.
It is presumed that the restriction or build-up of these neurotransmitters will improve mood in the short term. This is a temporary effect. However, after a relatively short time, these natural molecules become vulnerable to degradation and loss through various processes, such as enzymes and other waste-removal systems in the body. Like pumping a gas pedal when the tank is empty, the drug will begin to lose efficacy, as a neurotransmitter deficiency can develop. Sometimes a prescription will be “upped” to compensate, again temporarily, but long-term use can lead to dependence. The CNS/brain adapt to the presence of the drug, and its effectiveness wanes over time. This is called “tolerance.” After dependence and tolerance develop, stopping the drug (especially if done abruptly) triggers Effexor withdrawal symptoms which can persist for a very long time.4,5
Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms Range from Mild to Severe
Effexor withdrawal symptoms can begin within a day or 2 of reducing or stopping the drug. Research shows that these withdrawal symptoms may persist well after discontinuation, which suggests that the reduction was faster than the body could tolerate. The higher the dose, and the longer the drug was taken, and the abruptness of stopping are all factors that need to be taken into account when planning tolerable and safe Effexor withdrawal. A large internet forum when analyzed, showed that 50 months was the most common length of SNRI withdrawal.3
For some, Effexor withdrawals can be mild and for others, debilitatingly, ruinously harsh. For a long time, doctors and patients alike have been misinformed on the subject of antidepressant withdrawals, and it has taken a very long time for published literature to begin to acknowledge the extent of the problem.4,5
Please don’t lose hope. There are holistic solutions that can help make the journey a successful one. These will be discussed further in this article.
Guidance for Effexor Withdrawal
If you can, work with a trusted prescriber, or better yet, a team of supporters who you trust and who are willing and able to assist you. Currently, the brand name Effexor is only sold as an extended release capsule. The capsule contains beads. Generic venlafaxine comes in a tablet, which can be cut. For more specifics on how to cut, and how to use the bead-counting methods, more information is available on our Effexor tapering pages. You can also research natural remedies for Effexor withdrawal that can ease the process on our Effexor alternatives pages.
Before you begin, it is recommended to become familiar with common Effexor withdrawal symptoms, so you can recognize these and not be surprised or start thinking you are just going nuts. No, please remember, the withdrawals can be quite harsh, especially if the withdrawal process is too fast for your own body’s capability to adapt easily.
If the withdrawals become too intense or uncomfortable, one can adjust the dosage up again, and resume the reduction at a much slower pace once the current set of withdrawals level out. This may mean several weeks, before another reduction is attempted. Go slow, and go well.
Success Story: Reclaiming Wellness
Mark, a 38-year-old teacher, struggled with Effexor withdrawal’s dizziness and anxiety. At Alternative to Meds, a plan combining a 12-week taper, omega-3 supplementation, and a wealth of other adjunctive therapies restored his balance and confidence.
Inpatient Effexor Withdrawal at Alternative to Meds Center
Alternative to Meds Center is an inpatient treatment facility that uses holistic antidepressant withdrawal techniques under medical supervision. A gradual reduction is implemented, supported by a wide range of Effexor alternatives and treatments that can help ease withdrawal symptoms while making the transition to drug-free.
We are insurance-friendly, and welcome your call to find out more about the program, your length of stay, what to bring, and any other questions you may have for your or your loved one’s treatment.
With an individually structured tapering plan, holistic antidepressant alternatives, and comfort therapies at hand, the level of care is unmatched. Call us today and find out how easy it might be to come to us for safe and comfortable Effexor withdrawal and renewed natural mental health.
This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.
Dr. Samuel Lee
Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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Medication Withdrawal Success Stories
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Suicidality
Alternative to Meds Center is an inpatient treatment facility that uses holistic antidepressant withdrawal techniques under medical supervision. A gradual reduction is implemented, supported by a
