Has anyone else every been addicted to Welbutrin (Buprobian?)
 

I was drawn to Welbutrin because of the similarities between welbutrin and cocaine. It was the worst experience of my life and the withdrawls were absolute hell....has anyone else ever been on welbutrin and/or dealt with addiction to it? I'd like to hear about your experience as not many people realize how powerful a drug it is.

Welcome gracie, Sorry I have had no experience with welButrin. Actually never heard of it. I'm sure someone will be able to chime in soon. Weekends are kinda slow around here sometimes. I just wanted to welcome you! This is a good place for support no matter what the addiction is.

I am taking wellbutrin, and have done so for about 9 months now. I am currently not experiencing any downside in the least, in any consideration. On the other hand, I am prescribed this, and I am not using this in any way other than that.

I don't know if I am addicted to it or not. I expect that I am 'habituated' though, to some extent, and like any other medication of this type, I will likely titrate down this medication very carefully when my Dr. advises me to do this.

What sort of withdrawals are you experiencing, other than the obvious depressive mood change to be expected?

I have been on Welbutrin and I at times stopped with no side effects.

I was told that it is often prescribed to cocaine/crack addicts (as well as smokers) because it makes it easier to stay stopped.

Have you spoken to the prescribing psychiatrist? If it was prescribed for depression, maybe part of what you feel is the depression coming back?

Also, some people I know felt anxiety as a side effect of Welbutrin. You really need to speak to your doctor.

I have taken wellbutrin for the last 7 years. I have stopped taking it a few times. I had no side effects when stopping. I have no problem taking it , stopping it, or any of the side effects that other anti-d's may have. I have taken many other anti-d's over the years and this is the only one that does not make me feel weird, or groggy in the mornings.

I began taking it for road anxiety. stopped for a year, then began again, when going through some rough times . depression and anxiety runs in my family.
I would surely get professional advice if you are having that reaction. I don't understand the statement that wellbutrin is similar to cocaine? I cannot even tell I have taken it, except that it works for my anxiety.
good luck to you.

I am on welbutrin now, and if I miss more than a dose I start to have withdrawal symptoms. I feel horrible.

But I want to add this. Years ago I was on Prozac, and had to stop due to a pregnancy. I went through a hellish six week withdrawal process, Prozac has a long half life. It was horrid. I had migraines and was bedridden for a long time, puked if I rolled over, truly truly awful.

Years later I stopped using Paxil, the withdrawals were shorter lived but worse than the Prozac ones. I never experienced anything like that. Electric zaps through my head, vertigo, nausea. I used to get ill when I missed one dose of Paxil, cutting off it cold turkey was hands down, dead end misery. My doc told me I imagined it all, that just doesn't happen...thousands of others who experienced the same when going cold turkey off those meds beg to disagree.

At the time I didn't really understand about backing down doses etc. So yeah, I was hooked in a powerful physical sense in that if I stopped I was so vastly uncomfortable that without huge motivation to stay stopped, I'd use it again just so I could feel and function normally again. But I was not hooked in the "I feel great! Gimme more!" sense.

I am not sure what sort of "addicted" to you are referring to.

I said 'habituated', which describes my situation better than 'addicted'. I tried out the addiction thing with alcohol, so I have an idea of the difference.

It is possible to reduce your intake of wellbutrin by the smallest amount you might like, daily or weekly, so CT is never the only choice.

My apologies, I failed to add that I was snorting it, and when snorting it it is exactly like cocaine! Taking it orally was doing nothing for me. A "friend" suggested I try snorting it and it ruined me. NEVER snort it, I warn you, it is like cocaine and was WONDERFUL the first few times and then my life shot to hell because I was so addicted. My withdrawls include hot and cold flashes, constant shaking, excessive vomitting, panic attacks, moody outbursts, crying all the time, extreme cravings for more, and migranes. Also diahrea, enhanced sex drive, and manic tendencies. Never, and I warn you out of the sincerety of the severity of the situation, snort this stuff!! It is beyond dangerous and although made me feel like wonderwoman at first, soon turned me into a zombie that could barely function. It also has been known to cause seizures and heart problems.

Threshold, that is the type of addiction I had. I would NEED to use Welbutrin because I got to the point that I felt like I was literally dying if I went even a few hours without it! I would dread snorting it and knew the affect it would have on me...the first 15 minutes or so always left me feeling amazing, like I was flying and could conquer the world...minutes later I would be in hell again, a complete zombie who had trouble even speaking.

gracie39, welcome to SR. Like one of the posters above, depression and anxiety runs in my family and I was on Wellbutrin for a while in the past, but took it orally as prescribed and never had any ill effects while on it or when stopping it.

This is the first time I've heard of snorting wellbutrin, and it sounds like some serious stuff with bad consequences. Frankly, if there is a good addictionologist in your area, possibly consider consulting with him/her. Depending on the chemical structure of the wellbutrin and how long you were using it that way, you may also need to be checked by an ENT specialist. At least a good, understanding psychiatrist who will help you to get on a correct regime (if necessary) and get away from this method of use.

Gracie,
I never snorted it either, but took a prescribed dose for years and decided to stop taking it one very stupid day. Wrong answer! Within 2 days I was in the hospital. I thought I was having some out-of-body experience. I literally almost fell over every time I tried to walk (extreme vertigo). I puked constantly, cried, anxiety, the whole 9. I understand what you are feeling and it is very, very real! I don't care what anyone says, withdrawal from Wellbutrin is possible! I wasn't even taking an enormous amount, although more than the average person I think. Tapering is the only way I got off of it....and it was a slow process. Hang in there!

I took it plus Zoloft for a couple of years (prescribed) and it was fine, had only normal loopy-headedness and mood swings for a few weeks after stopping. (I tapered off)

yes gracie, people are prescribed Welbutrin either in small repeated doses daily or in the time release form for a reason. I am SO sorry you got into the practice of snorting it. That entirely changes the picture.

are you still using? Due to real medical issues you may NEED to taper. My sincere suggestion to you is to go to a/your psychiatrist and tell them what the situation is so they can tell you how best to get safely off Welbutrin.

They will have enough experience with the drug and it's effects to give the soundest suggestions for success and safety.