Wellbutrin Abuse Guide: Symptoms, Treatment & More

Depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and other related mental health issues were not always recognized in the medical community. Thankfully, patients today have options, such as therapy and antidepressants like Wellbutrin.

What Is Wellbutrin?

Wellbutrin is bupropion, an active ingredient that allows the brain to create necessary changes so people with depression can feel better.

MedlinePlus refers to Wellbutrin as a “mood elevator.” Its use requires a prescription and a diagnosis of depression or SAD. It can also be used to combat nicotine addiction.

Wellbutrin is known to cause withdrawal symptoms. Even if you have no intention of misusing Wellbutrin, you may decide to keep taking it just to control withdrawal symptoms.

On September 2016, the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) reported on documentation of Wellbutrin abuse. They stated that it might be abused because the antidepressant is similar in structure to amphetamine. 
It does not affect the brain the same way, but CMAJ found that some people experienced a high that is similar to cocaine, though a bit weaker.  

State of Wellbutrin Use 

In an August 2017 report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the following statistics about the use of antidepressants in the United States:

Risks vs. Benefits

As stated by MedlinePlus, the decision to take an antidepressant requires a thorough conversation with your caregiver. Understanding the benefits and risks is a must.

You should get medical assistance immediately if you experience these side effects.

Short-Term Effects 

Wellbutrin is one of the many antidepressants that works by changing the balance of certain hormones in your body. This change in balance is caused by how Wellbutrin causes your brain to increase levels of chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters.

One chemical messenger influenced by antidepressants is serotonin. This neurotransmitter is associated with helping you feel good. Taking antidepressants can increase your levels of this important hormone and make symptoms of depression more manageable.

The influence it has on dopamine levels makes Wellbutrin different from other antidepressants. Patients are known to experience withdrawal if they stop taking it, and this facilitates drug misuse and possible future addiction.

Additionally, Wellbutrin is often a part of an antidepressant “cocktail.” A cocktail is a group of drugs used to treat depression because your caregiver feels you will get more benefits from taking more than one medication at a time. 

If you stop taking your entire cocktail, you may face additional symptoms of withdrawal at once.

Long-Term Effects 

The CDC’s studies mentioned that it is common for people to take antidepressants for 10 years or even indefinitely. This often happens because antidepressants are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Once you find something that works, it is normal to want to stick with it.

Many patients think Wellbutrin will cause them to lose weight, but antidepressants can make you either gain or lose weight, depending on how they affect you. 

Wellbutrin is sometimes known for causing a mild “high.” It can easily cause symptoms of withdrawal that make it easy for a person to misuse it.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of withdrawal depend on whether or not you use Wellbutrin by itself or as part of a cocktail.

People who take Wellbutrin to quit smoking may suddenly crave tobacco or nicotine.

How Wellbutrin Misuse Starts

In 2014, the Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation journal mentions that Wellbutrin abuse is common in jails, though people outside of the criminal system are known to misuse it as well. This is because many prisons no longer use benzodiazepines to treat inmates.

Many prisons have now responded by not offering Wellbutrin and other bupropion-based antidepressants at their facilities. 

In the general population, misuse of Wellbutrin often happens because people discover its mild high. Though not common, there are reports of athletes who use Wellbutrin to improve their energy levels. The World Anti-Doping Association currently monitors its use in athletes.

Further signs of misuse include “doctor shopping.” Patients are known to visit different doctors and explain that they need more Wellbutrin for their symptoms of depression or to continue abstaining from nicotine.

Misusing Wellbutrin puts you at risk of seizures, especially if you use methods that deliver its effects much faster.

It is possible to overdose on this antidepressant, according to CMAJ. 

Treating Misuse

Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation says prescribers can and should keep track of how patients are using Wellbutrin. They should make sure the patient has access to Wellbutrin if they truly are depressed, deal with SAD, or need it so they can quit using nicotine. They simply should monitor for signs of misuse.

Specific treatments for Wellbutrin misuse have not been reported, but the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides a few pointers based on their research of prescription opioid abuse.

Finally, if you have misused Wellbutrin but have a diagnosis for depression or SAD, a physician can help you find an antidepressant that does not pose the same risks of misuse.