Seroquel is one of many drugs that can be helpful for people who need it, but is, unfortunately, often misused. Seroquel can bring healing and relief when used as prescribed, but can cause severe damage when abused.
In this article, we’ll provide comprehensive information on Seroquel drug abuse. Read on to find out what Seroquel is, how to get a Seroquel high, the side effects of Seroquel, and more.
If you or your loved one was prescribed Seroquel, or are abusing it, it is important to arm yourself with the knowledge you need.
What is Seroquel?
Seroquel is the brand name for the generic drug Quetiapine. It is an antipsychotic drug prescribed by psychiatrists to help people struggling with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Seroquel is effective in altering activity within neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and serotonin.
Seroquel has been approved by the FDA to treat different forms of psychosis but has also been used off-label to treat insomnia, dementia, and other disorders. Unfortunately, it is also used on the street to help users experience euphoria, relaxation, and other pleasurable short-term effects.
It is believed that Seroquel is abused more for its anxiety-relieving and sleep-assisting properties than for its euphoric effects, especially since other drugs provide users with more euphoric effects than Seroquel does. Seroquel is also used illicitly to enhance or counter the effects of illegal drugs like heroin, marijuana, and cocaine.
Is Seroquel A Controlled Substance?
Currently, Seroquel is not a controlled substance. Controlled substances are drugs that are regulated by the government because they have been proven to have addictive properties. This includes the manufacturing, storage, sale, and distribution of any drug that has a high potential of abuse.
Examples of controlled substances are opioids, depressants, hallucinogens, and stimulants. Some controlled substances are only legally distributed via prescription, whereas others are completely illegal since have no known medical use and are only used recreationally.
Although Seroquel is not a controlled substance, it has been widely recognized as a drug with a high abuse potential. Because Seroquel is not controlled, it is easily accessible, causing many people to become addicted to the drug.
Does Seroquel Get You High?
Yes, Seroquel causes a surge of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, causing a euphoric, high feeling. People who are prescribed Seroquel, either to treat psychosis or off-label for anxiety or insomnia, can become dependent on the drug.
Dependence occurs when a person uses a particular drug regularly, until the body adapts to the dosage and, eventually, is unable to function optimally without the regular amount of the substance in the body.
Is Seroquel Addictive?
You may be wondering, is quetiapine addictive? Yes, Seroquel can become addictive. When the body becomes dependent on Seroquel, it craves the drug. When the body must adapt to a complete lack of Seroquel in its system, withdrawal symptoms occur, compelling the user to use more Seroquel to relieve the painful symptoms.
Repeating this process several times leads to addiction. Addiction is defined by withdrawal symptoms when the substance exits the body, and intense cravings which make it almost impossible for the user to resist consuming the drug.
Can You Snort Seroquel?
Yes, Seroquel pills are often crushed and snorted when used recreationally. It can also be used intravenously. Although the original form of Seroquel is a pill intended to be swallowed orally, it is used in other ways on the street.
Snorting or injecting Seroquel into the body is the popular method of ingestion on the street since both methods allow the substance to reach the bloodstream faster, causing a faster onset of effects. On the street, Seroquel is referred to as Baby Heroin, Snoozeberries, Squirrel, or Susie-Q.
Side Effects of Seroquel
People who consistently abuse Seroquel suffer from physical and mental side effects, some more mild and others more severe.
Physical side effects of Seroquel include:
- Abdominal pain
- Irritability
- Sore throat
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Stuffy nose
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Weakness
- Clumsiness
- Breast enlargement (men)
- Missed menstrual cycles (women)
- Nipple discharge
Mental side effects of Seroquel include:
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Nightmares
- Unclear thinking
- Impaired judgement
- Reduced decision-making capabilities.
Long-Term Effects of Seroquel
After prolonged misuse of Seroquel, the body can sustain damage, leaving scars that are irreversible. Here are some long-term effects of Seroquel:
- Seizures or tremors
- Thyroid issues
- Tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable stiff, jerky movements of the face and body)
- High cholesterol
- Weight gain
- High blood sugar
- Irregular heartbeat and other cardiac issues
- Suicidal thoughts
- Cataracts
- Increased prolactin (causing sexual and menstruation dysfunction).
Signs of Seroquel Addiction
People who are abusing Seroquel often exhibit specific behaviors and physical signs. If you are concerned about a loved one potentially abusing Seroquel, here are some clues to help you determine whether or not it may be an issue:
- Using prescribed Seroquel more often or in higher doses than recommended
- Using up Seroquel prescriptions faster than expected
- Isolating from family and friends and/or hanging out with a new crowd
- Neglecting personal hygiene and grooming
- Smelling of Seroquel
- Any of the noticeable physical side effects associated with Seroquel abuse
- Disregarding responsibilities like work, family, and appointments
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug
Seroquel Toxicity
Seroquel toxicity occurs when a Seroquel user ingests too much of the drug at once, causing serious short-and-long-term damage to the brain and body. Taking a greater dose than the body can handle can even be lethal, since Seroquel can depress the Central Nervous System (CNS) until it stops functioning completely.
Here are some signs that a person may be experiencing Seroquel toxicity:
- Seizures
- Breathing difficulties
- Sweating
- Body spasms
- Rigid muscles
- Fainting
- Delirium
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Cardiac dysrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up)
- Tachycardia (fast heartbeat).
If you have reason to suspect that a person may have overdosed on Seroquel, or is experiencing Seroquel toxicity, call 911 right away. Remain with the victim until emergency services arrive, and share that you believe that Seroquel is the cause of the person’s adverse reaction.
Seroquel Withdrawal Symptoms
Quitting Seroquel cold turkey after abusing it for a prolonged period of time is difficult at best and dangerous at worst. Once the body adapts to a certain dose of Seroquel, it can be almost impossible for it to function optimally -or even survive - without it.
Here are some common withdrawal symptoms that users experience when they try to stop using Seroquel:
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Suicidal thoughts.
These symptoms are often too difficult to bear, driving users to continue using Seroquel even when they desperately would like to quit. It’s vital to taper off Seroquel slowly through medical detox at a licensed detox center to make the process as safe and smooth as possible.
Seroquel Addiction Treatment
As with any substance addiction, merely stopping to use the substance isn’t the path to recovery. As mentioned above, the withdrawal symptoms are often so unpleasant that the user can not abstain from the substance for too long.
But, there is hope. You don’t have to remain dependent on Seroquel for the rest of your life! You can achieve serenity, peace, and freedom if you’re willing to accept help. At Avenues Recovery Center, we have mental health professionals, a supportive community, and the tools you need to achieve sobriety.
Starting with medical detox to taper off Seroquel safely and as comfortably as possible, and ending with therapies, support groups, and more, we will be with you on your journey until you succeed – and beyond. Reach out today to start your journey to recovery!
