Do antidepressants cause addiction?

Antidepressants, especially SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, escitalopram) and SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine), are frequently mistaken for medications that cause addiction. The distinction matters:

What does NOT happen: — Tolerance: the therapeutic dose does not need to keep increasing indefinitely to maintain the effect — Compulsive seeking: there is no immediate high driving compulsive use — Psychological dependence: people do not take these medications to feel a high, but to maintain their mental health

What does happen and is often mistaken for addiction: — Discontinuation syndrome: stopping abruptly can cause dizziness, nausea, a brain zap sensation, irritability, and other physical symptoms. This calls for a gradual taper; it is not addiction, but a physiological adjustment that needs to be managed carefully. — Return of symptoms: stopping the medication can cause depression or anxiety symptoms to come back. That is the underlying condition returning, not withdrawal.

How long before stopping: it is generally recommended to continue for at least 6-12 months after full remission to prevent relapse. In recurrent depression (three or more episodes), long-term use may be recommended, not because of addiction, but for its preventive benefit.