• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
 

Anaheim Lighthouse

Beds Available Now!

Verify Insurance
Questions? Call Now(877) 959-5909
  • About Us
  • What We Treat
  • Treatment Options
  • Our Facility
  • Admissions
  • Learn About
  • Contact Us
  • Our Team
  • Yelp & Google Reviews
  • Client Testimonials
  • Accreditation & Licensing
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Press Releases
  • Alchohol Abuse
  • Drug Addiction
  • Dual Diagnosis
  • Trauma Victims
  • Veterans Program
  • Holistic Treatment
  • Specialties
  • Detox Alcohol & Drugs
  • Drug Rehab
  • Inpatient Rehab
  • Complete Residential Care
  • Partial Hospitalization
  • Intensive Outpatient
  • Intervention
  • Family Support
  • Verify Insurance
  • Admissions Information
  • Financing Options
  • Coronavirus Safety Procedures
  • Alcoholism
  • Health and Wellness
  • Life in Recovery
  • Love and Relationships
  • Opioid Addiction
  • Parent Resources
  • Relapse and Recovery
  • Substance Abuse
  • Opioids
  • Sleeping Pills
  • Stimulants

How Long Does It Take For Zoloft To Work?

Dec 15 2020
Categories:Drug Facts

Depression is one of the most common mental conditions in America. It is estimated that over 16 million Americans suffer from at least one depressive episode in a given year. It is not surprising then that according to the stats released by the federal government, about one in ten Americans takes antidepressants.

Among the many brand name and generic antidepressant drugs in the market, the most popular is Zoloft. Zoloft, which is a brand name of the generic drug Sertraline, belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of drugs. The drug works by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is the key hormone that is responsible for regulating mood, happiness, and overall well-being.

Contact Us Today for a Confidential Assessment.
Call (877) 959-5909 Now to Speak with a Specialist

For people who have been prescribed Zoloft or are planning to take the drug, you might be wondering whether Zoloft works immediately. Can you expect instant relief from Zoloft? How long will it take for Zoloft to work? To answer these questions, we will further talk about what Zoloft is used for, how it is used for treatment, and how long it takes for it to take effect.

What is Zoloft used for?

Zoloft is often prescribed as the first line of treatment for depression. Unlike drugs like benzodiazepines, it is considered to have lower abuse potential. Aside from depression, the drug is also prescribed to treat other conditions such as anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Because Zoloft improves the serotonin levels in the brain, it could help boost your mood, energy, appetite, and sleep. It could also lessen your feelings of anxiety, fear, unwanted thoughts, and panic attacks. Eventually, it could help you regain your interest in the things you normally do day-to-day. It could also help you reduce obsessive-compulsive actions.

Is Zoloft effective immediately?

Zoloft FactsBecause Zoloft is one of the most prescribed antidepressants, there is a misconception that the effects are immediate. Zoloft is not like other drugs wherein you could feel an immediate effect upon taking the drug within minutes or a few hours.

If you are suffering from depression, you could feel some improvement in your energy, sleep, and mood in about 1 to 2 weeks. This is usually a sign that the drug is indeed working.  However, you may need around 6 to 8 weeks of taking the medication before you can fully improve. It is then very important to continue taking the drug as prescribed by your doctor. Just because you feel some improvement within the first two weeks does not necessarily mean that you’re treated. You should seek advice from your doctor before stopping the medication.

For people who are taking Zoloft for social anxiety, an improvement could also be felt within the first two weeks. You could continue taking the drug for up to six weeks or up to the period your doctor prescribed it for. If you have been taking Xanax, a popular anti-anxiety drug, you should take note that Zoloft is very different. Unlike Xanax where you could feel the effects within one to two hours, Zoloft is meant for a longer course of treatment.

Zoloft abuse and treatment

Zoloft DrugWhile Zoloft is considered to have a lower risk of abuse, there are still cases wherein Zoloft is being abused or taken as a recreational drug. For a person with a Zoloft prescription or those who have access to the drug (medicine cabinets at home, family members with a Zoloft prescription), it might be easier to try abusing whatever drug is available rather than looking for other prescription meds like opioids or benzos.

The problem, however, is that since the effects of Zoloft is not immediate, people who are looking to get high on the medication try to ingest multiple pills to feel a sedative effect. What’s more alarming is that some people mix Zoloft with other substances like alcohol or opioids in an attempt to intensify the drug’s effects. Mixing Zoloft with other substances or taking too much of the drug could lead to risky side effects and it could even result in an overdose.

It is also possible to be psychologically dependent or addicted to Zoloft, even if you start taking the drug with a legitimate prescription. Some patients take Zoloft longer than the period prescribed by the doctor or they take a higher dosage thinking that this could hasten the effect of the drug. This, however, could quicken your body’s tolerance to the drug, and instead of it working effectively, taking too much of the drug could lead to a drug overdose.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.

Contact Anaheim Lighthouse today.

Confidential Contact Form

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Policy

Learn About Lighthouse

  • Affordable Drug Rehab and Detox Center
  • CARF Certified
  • Homelike setting and world-class facilities
  • State licensed and certified
  • Most PPO insurance accepted
  • Specialized Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs
  • Licensed and well-qualified professional staff
KNOW MORE

BLOG CATEGORIES

All Categories Alcoholism Drug Facts Health and Wellness Love and Relationships Opioid Addiction

Recent Posts

Rehab for Weed Addiction

Can You Go To Rehab for Weed?

August 15 2022
Dangers of Adderall Abuse

Can You Snort Adderall? Dangers of Adderall Abuse

August 10 2022
Drug Rehab

How To Get Someone To Go To Rehab

July 29 2022
Dab Pen And Weed

Are Dab Pen And Weed The Same?

July 26 2022
Opioid Seeking Behavior

What Is Opioid Seeking Behavior? Signs You Need To Look Out For

July 15 2022

WHY CHOOSE LIGHTHOUSE

  • Affordable Drug Rehab and Detox Center
  • CARF Certified
  • Homelike setting and world-class facilities
  • State licensed and certified
  • Most PPO insurance accepted
  • Specialized Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs
  • Licensed and well-qualified professional staff

Google Reviews

Christopher Tamburello

Absolutely loved this place. Great counselors- my counselor was Johnny. Great Alumni aftercare program that helps keep you connected. I highly recommend Lighthouse for anyone struggling with alcohol or drug addiction.

Josh Mugol

When I first stepped in to fill out the paper work to get admitted to housing, I immediately felt welcomed. If you treat the staff, therapists, and doctors with respect and use common courtesy, you will get more in return. The staff is run by former addicts/alcoholics so they...

Teresa Egan

The Lighthouse saved my life. I was willing to do whatever it takes to learn how to live a new way of life. Before I came into the program I was a hollow shell just wanting to die.. The staff loved me until I could love myself, and taught me how to deal with myself. I have a...

Related Posts

Aug 10 2022

Can You Snort Adderall? Dangers of Adderall Abuse

When most people think of Adderall, they think of it as a medication to treat ADHD. Adderall is a prescription medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a stimulant that works by increasing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It is also used to t...
Jul 26 2022

Are Dab Pen And Weed The Same?

Do you want to know the difference between dab pens and weed? You may be wondering if dab pens and weed are the same. People are often curious about the differences between different types of drugs, especially if they are relatively new like dab pens. In this blog post, we will explain the dif...
Jul 08 2022

How To Spot Fake Pain Pills: 5 Signs To Look Out For

As addiction rates to prescription painkillers continue to rise, so does the number of fake pills hitting the streets. These pills could be very dangerous and even deadly. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many people who are addicted to prescription painkillers. [cta_sc] If you or someo...
Jun 20 2022

How Long Does Delta 8 High Last? FAQs About Delta-8 THC

If you're reading this, you've probably heard of Delta 8. If you're a parent, you've probably seen your kids taking Delta 8 vapes or gummies - telling you it's totally legal. Or perhaps you've been offered edibles with Delta 8 THC. However, you're still worried about whether these Delta-8 product...
Jun 13 2022

How Long Does Delta 8 Stay In Your System? Urine, Blood, Saliva, Hair

Have you ever taken Delta 8? If so, you're probably wondering how long it will stay in your system. This is a question that a lot of people have, and unfortunately, there's no one answer that fits everyone. The amount of time Delta 8 stays in your system depends on many different factors. Delt...
Jun 07 2022

Does Delta 8 Show Up On A Drug Test? Read This First

You've never taken illegal drugs and substances. However, you've recently tried out vapes or gummies with Delta-8 THC. You heard that Delta-8 is legal so you didn't think twice about it. But now, you're worried that Delta-8 THC will show up on your drug test. Will it? Many people are anxiou...

We Accept Insurance

Don’t see your provider? Contact us to confirm coverage.

3 Easy Options to Get Started or Learn More

You Call Us

We are here to answer your questions. Learn about detox, treatment, costs, or anything else. Give us a call now.
(877) 959-5909

We Call You

Complete this secure form to receive a fast response from our support team

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Verify Your Insurance

Quickly confirm your coverage using our fast & easy verification system. We accept most insurances (and financing).
Verify My Insurance
  • About Us
  • What We Treat
  • Treatment Options
  • Our Facility
  • Admissions
  • Learn About
  • Contact Us

Connect With Us

(877) 959-5909

1320 West Pearl Street, Anaheim, CA 92801

Copyright © 2022 Anaheim Lighthouse. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility