Withdrawal is the combination of physical and mental effects that a person experiences after they stop using or reduce their intake of a substance such as alcohol and prescription or recreational drugs. According to addiction expert Lisa Laskey, withdrawal does not occur solely when you stop smoking, drinking, or using recreational drugs.
Some prescription drugs, like the antidepressant medication Effexor, which will be discussed in this article, may induce a variety of withdrawal symptoms if you miss a dosage or stop taking it suddenly.
If you are struggling with Effexor withdrawal symptoms, you may be wondering how you can recover, and among the various treatments available or recommended, is a treatment known as the Wet Finger Method.
You might be wondering if the Wet Finger Method for Effexor withdrawal treatment can help, what it is? Its benefits? Does it work?
Keep reading to find out the answer to these questions and more!
- Firstly, what is Effexor
- Effexor Withdrawal – About it
- Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal - What is it?
- How does the Wet Finger Method for Effexor withdrawal work?
- What are the benefits of using the Wet Finger Withdrawal Method for Effexor Withdrawal?
- Side effects of using the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal
- Limitations to the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal
- Other things and precautions to note on using the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal
- Is It Safe To Use The Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal?
- What are the long-term side effects of the wet finger method for Effexor withdrawal treatment?
- How long does the wet finger method for Effexor withdrawal treatment last?
- What is the best treatment for Effexor withdrawal?
- Other remedies or alternative methods to treat Effexor withdrawal
- Does the Wet Finger Method for Effexor Withdrawal really work?
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Wet Finger Method for Effexor withdrawal treatment.
Firstly, what is Effexor
Effexor is the brand name for the antidepressant medicine venlafaxine, which belongs to a family of prescription pharmaceuticals known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Effexor is one of the most often prescribed antidepressants in the United States, and it is most commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, social phobia, and panic disorder, while it may also be used to treat alcoholism.
Because it might provoke manic episodes, Effexor is not recommended for persons with bipolar disorder. Seizures may be more common in those who use this drug.
Effexor, like other antidepressant medications, is only legally accessible with a prescription.
Effexor works by decreasing absorption and raising serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels in the brain.
It comes in tablet form, and people who take it for medical reasons take it orally two to three times a day with food.
Effexor was withdrawn from the market in the United States, although a newer, time-released Effexor XR formulation is believed to produce less nausea and is accessible with a valid prescription.
Effexor comes in two forms: Effexor IR - immediate-release tablets and Effexor XR - extended-release tablets.
Effexor has been approved by the FDA to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder (sometimes called social phobia).
Effexor may be used off-label to treat the following conditions: attention deficit disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, complex pain syndromes, hot flashes, and migraine.
Effexor Withdrawal – About it
Effexor is one of the hardest antidepressants to discontinue. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS) is defined by a range of withdrawal symptoms caused by physical reliance. Regular use of antidepressants leads to dependence.
Though it normally takes six weeks or more to develop, it may happen in as little as three weeks in certain situations.
Effexor withdrawal symptoms may vary from nausea to bizarre electric feelings known as "brain jolts, zaps, or shivers."
Here's what you should know.
Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome is a well-known and recognized symptom that may develop in patients who suddenly cease Effexor (venlafaxine), a form of SNRI used to treat depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.
Some individuals begin to experience Effexor withdrawal symptoms within hours after missing a dosage.
As a result, healthcare experts often advise beginning with a low dose and gradually increasing the amount while weaning off the medicine.
Even if the medicine is gradually weaned off, withdrawal symptoms may develop.
Effexor Withdrawal Symptoms or signs
Effexor (venlafaxine) is well-known for inducing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms described as "antidepressant discontinuation syndrome."
Effexor is often recommended at 75 mg per day, however, the maximum dose may vary from 225 mg daily to 375 mg daily, depending on the drug's dosage type.
Skipping Effexor doses or stopping the medicine abruptly, particularly at larger dosages, might result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
As a result, it's critical to take Effexor precisely as prescribed by your doctor.Some Effexor withdrawal symptoms might induce dizziness, which is risky while driving or using heavy equipment.
Although uncommon, discontinuing Effexor on your own might result in severe and terrifying side effects.
If you or someone you care about develops any of the following symptoms, contact 911 or seek medical attention immediately: Suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and delirium
If you are suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for help and support from a certified counselor. Call 911 or your healthcare professional if you or a loved one is in imminent danger.
Consult your healthcare physician right away if you need extra mental health services.
If your anxiety or depression worsens during withdrawal and lasts longer than a month, you may be experiencing a relapse and need continuous mental health therapy.
If you have any concerns, see your doctor. The prevalence and intensity of Effexor withdrawal symptoms do not seem to be dosage-dependent.
It is currently hard to determine who may develop ADS symptoms.
Brain Shivers or Brain Zaps from Effexor
Venlafaxine is related to one of the highest proportions of "brain zap" frequency associated with antidepressant cessation. Brain zaps are a kind of electric shock that may cause visual abnormalities. Doctors are baffled as to why this occurrence happens. Although most individuals recover quickly from this condition, some have brain zaps for months or years.
Other Withdrawal Symptoms of Effexor
Other frequent Effexor withdrawal symptoms that may be unpleasant or even incapacitating include:
- Symptoms of the flu
- Nausea
- Lethargy
- Coordination problems
- Hands or feet experiencing electric shock
- Irritability
- Vivid dreams
- Insomnia
- Vertigo
- Anxiety
Effexor Withdrawal Timeframe
The duration of Effexor discontinuation might vary. Symptoms might appear as soon as 12 hours after the last dosage and usually disappear within one to two weeks. Because Effexor has a half-life of four hours and is eliminated from the body within a day. Antidepressants having longer half-lives remain in the body for extended periods, perhaps reducing the development and severity of ADS.
Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal - What is it?
Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal is one of the many Effexor withdrawal treatments or therapies that are used to treat people who are suffering from Effexor withdrawal.
It involves the following steps.
- Emptying the Effexor capsule contents into a plate or saucer
- Then licking your finger and dabbing the finger into the Effexor capsule content,
- And taking what you think would be an appropriate weaning amount, periodically reducing the amount till you can fully abstain from the medication without withdrawal symptoms.
Further analyzing the whole process, I have broken it down into three steps. To do the Wet Finger Method for Effexor withdrawal, you need to do the following;
- Firstly, start with 3 days, taking three wet fingers off the contents of the capsule, after dabbing, and take the capsule after returning the remaining contents to the capsule. If there are no side effects, move on to the next step.
- Secondly, after 5 days, take five wet fingers off the contents of the capsule, after dabbing, and take the capsule after returning the remaining contents to the capsule. If no visible side effects are seen, continue to the next step.
- The third and final process is done after 5 days by taking seven wet fingers off the contents of the capsule, dabbing, and taking the capsule after returning the remaining contents to the capsule. If no side effects are seen or felt, then get off Effexor completely.
Hopefully, this can be done with minimal side effects, but if this doesn’t work out, and side effects persist, consult your doctor immediately. There are other therapies and treatments available if this doesn't work.
So make sure to consult your doctor before embarking on this treatment so that he/she can supervise you and know the necessary and recommended alternative treatments to use if this didn’t work out.
How does the Wet Finger Method for Effexor withdrawal work?
The result of using this method may vary from person to person, but the general idea or guideline to this method is all about gradual and slow Effexor dosage reduction even though it’s a reduction of the smallest degree, till your body system is no longer used to the drug or doesn’t depend on it again, and then on reaching this stage, you stop the drug wholly and maintain the withdrawal unless major side effects occur, and if that happens, resume the drug and consult your doctor for alternative effective treatments.
But on stopping the drug, then minimal or no side effects occur, then abstain from ever using the drug again, and the minimal side effects will pass away with time.
This method is similar to another method called “Tapering off” which is normally firstly recommended by doctors for treatment of drug withdrawal.
People also used the tapering-off method to treat Effexor withdrawal. On tapering off, the Effexor dose is reduced by 10 mg every two weeks, for a minimum of four weeks.
Your doctor can work with you to develop an appropriate tapering schedule that is most effective for your unique situation.
Firstly, work directly with your doctor. Studies show that patients who experienced the worst symptoms were those who abruptly stopped their medication without a doctor’s care.
Make an appointment to discuss the potential benefits of discontinuing Effexor and the potential short-term consequences. Your healthcare provider is who can advise you on the right way to taper for minimum side effects.
Secondly, go slow. Most doctors recommend a gradual reduction of dosage over 7 to 10 days. Although you may still experience side effects, you can mitigate the most uncomfortable.
Your doctor may also be able to recommend over-the-counter medications for some side effects, such as flu-like symptoms and nausea.
Your healthcare can help you manage your withdrawal period by tapering your prescription to gently yet quickly decrease your dependence on the drug.
Follow their instructions carefully because failure to do so can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and even fatal side effects.
What are the benefits of using the Wet Finger Withdrawal Method for Effexor Withdrawal?
The pros of using the Wet Finger Withdrawal Method for Effexor Withdrawal are the following;
- It is generally safe.
- It is easy to do.
- It is non-invasive.
The Wet Finger Withdrawal Method for Effexor Withdrawal can be done almost anywhere you are, without you having to go to the hospital.
The duration of the Wet Finger Withdrawal Method for Effexor Withdrawal is quite short.
Side effects of using the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal
The side effects of using the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal are close to non-existent.
This method is a straight-up method without having to do anything invasive to your body like injecting or taking into your body that can cause negative reactions.
The only thing that can happen that can be classified as a side effect of using the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal is only when the method doesn’t work.
We all have established by now that Effexor withdrawal can cause a variety of side effects, so when treating Effexor withdrawal using the Wet Finger Method, and the method doesn’t work, then, sure enough, you will continue experiencing the same side effects as before.
The thing is that the side effects will be more severe now since the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal mainly works through reducing the drug dosage periodically, and if this method doesn’t work, this reduction method will bring more harm than good, since the continued taking of the drug as before alleviate Effexor withdrawal symptoms.
If this happens, consult your doctor immediately.
Limitations to the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal
The cons of using the Wet Finger Method are just a few below;
- It doesn’t work for everybody.
- The method of treatment varies for everybody.
- This method hasn’t been scientifically proven to be effective.
Always make sure to consult with your doctor before using this method to get the best ways to do it, and if possible, get your doctor to supervise the whole process so that he/she can note immediately whether you have to continue or stop the process, and if the whole process worked out well.
Other things and precautions to note on using the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal
There are some things to note to know how to use the wet finger method effectively. I will drop some experiences by three people who discussed tips on how to get the most out of Effexor withdrawal treatment on https://connect.mayoclinic.org.
The first experience I will be sharing is from coloradogirl@coloradogirl;
"So, I just finished this process, and here are some things that worked for me. Your mileage may vary, but hopefully, these are low risk for you to try.
1) You may need to ask your doctor for a slower tapering program than other patients. Some people are just more sensitive to dosage changes. Be aware that symptoms will get better, then may reappear each time you taper. AFMA (practice group of family physicians) says that the symptoms typically last 1-2 weeks and as long as 4 weeks, so I just kept reminding myself that it was temporary.
2) Be watchful for things that make your symptoms worse. For example, caffeine seems to trigger the brain zaps for me (still, even after being off for several weeks), so I cut back my caffeine intake. I didn’t give it up completely (because I still need to function), but cut back on how much real coffee I was drinking, mixed decaf with regular, and switched to tea sometimes. In the end, I probably cut my daily caffeine intake in half, and it did help quite a lot.
3) Ibuprofen or other pain relievers can help with flu-like body aches.
4) Benadryl helped with the brain zaps.
5) Exercise helped with both. Even if I wasn’t up to a run, a few blocks of walking would settle down the symptoms for a while at least. (Then, when they come back, just take another walk. We took a lot of walks for a while there).
6) Get enough sleep. As I came down off the meds, my normal sleeping patterns returned, which was great, but it did mean that I needed to plan time to let my body rest.
7) Pay attention to your diet. Your brain uses carbs to make serotonin, so now is not the time to go on the Atkins diet. Eat well and make sure you’re getting enough healthy carbs. You may crave sweets; I certainly did. I tried to counteract this by having bananas, graham crackers, and other healthy things I could snack on instead of sticking my head in a birthday cake like I seemed to want.
No lie – it’s a painful process, but this did really help make it easier. Also, at a certain point, when I was down below the normal starter dose, I just ripped off the bandaid and went to zero. At that point, it felt like each taper was just prolonging the suffering. Don’t just go cold turkey from your current dose, though, as that can be dangerous. Also, don’t add any supplements or substitutes for the SSRI without talking to your doctor first (also dangerous).
And of course, watch for the return of depression/anxiety type symptoms. For a while, it was hard to tell whether I was tired because of the change in meds or because my depression was returning. I figured as long as I felt okay enough to function and wasn’t thinking about being harmful to myself or anyone else, I could play it out and see. It turned out to be the meds and on the other side, I can see that I was more worried about it than I needed to be.
I wish you the best of luck and healthy life.
Mardee"
This experience is from careth2@careth2;
"Hi, there! I am new to Connect but hopefully can offer some insight. I DID go off 150 Effexor XR (name brand) COLD TURKEY in January 2016. I survived it, but will never in my life EVER go off ANY antidepressant cold turkey. I had taken Effexor for at least 8 years, Zoloft before that, and Imipramine (sp?) as the first antidepressant (in all 25+ years on antidepressants.) It all started with running out of meds over a long weekend and deciding it was time to try to get off antidepressants to see how I would do. Since I had recently retired from teaching, I thought this would be an ideal time to give it a go. In addition, Effexor just wasn’t helping all that much anymore (I thought.) For the first 3 days, I felt like I was going to die! When I realized that I wasn’t dying, I decided to keep going to get it all over with. In addition to the symptoms you have heard about, I had deep bone/joint pain that felt like I was being pinched with clamps. Also had skin sensations and peeling, and noticed a strange smell on my skin. Each day got a little better and by the 3rd week started to function a bit more normally. I was very emotional, however, which caused my family great concern. Well, to make a long story short, the depression crept back in full and I am still trying to get my life back. I did everything I could to stay stable, including herbal supplements, and took a vacation where I hiked 6 miles daily for 9 days on hilly, rocky terrain. I finally had to accept that I’m a person who will need antidepressants for the rest of my life. With the help of a PCP and counselor, I am on my 3rd antidepressant & may need to resort to going back on Effexor, because nothing seems to be working. All in all, in my opinion, chronic depression is worse than the withdrawal symptoms that do eventually end. If you are a person with situational depression, you may be successful in weaning off Effexor gradually. If I were to do it again, that’s what I would do (while replacing Effexor with something else.) Here are the things that helped me with the physical withdrawal symptoms:
- Get plenty of sleep/rest.
- Eat a very well-balanced diet (this is not the time to worry about your weight.) Lots of soup & easy digest foods the 1st few days.
- Drink plenty of water, including coconut water.
- Have a glass of wine in the evening (if advisable.)
- Get outside and walk or do other exercises (the warm sunshine will feel good!)
- Hot yoga 3-4 times per week. Stay in class even if you feel nauseous & can only do a few postures.
- Soak in a hot tub (with bath salts if available.)
- Use a good moisturizer on the face & body several times per day.
- Get several professional massages.
- Take Tylenol for muscle pain, if OK on your stomach.
- A heating pad is also helpful at bedtime or during naps.
- If you are single & live alone, make sure a few trusted friends/family members know what you are doing.
- In general, be kind & gentle to yourself.
- NEVER give up! Keep going, even when you don’t feel like it (which will be often.) YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!"
The final experience I will be sharing is from nanke99@nanke99
"Hi! I was on Effexor XR for a few years and got off it several years ago. It was a very difficult process, so I fully sympathize. You MUST wean off
VERY SLOWLY. I don’t remember what my dosage was at the time (225mg?), but it took me about 9 months. Please do not let that long time scare you, it’s worth going slow, that will be your biggest help w/ withdrawal. At the time I had a very difficult time finding any doctor with experience getting people off it.
Luckily I was advised to find one and luckily I did. It is considered harder to get off than heroin. Not trying to scare you, just want to make sure you go as slow as possible. Mostly, I was moody/angry, had headaches, and had some brain “shivers”. The brain shivers I already had while on the meds.
I think we went down in 25mg increments over several weeks for each reduction. Keep us posted and good luck! Just give yourself some time and it will be over before you know it!"
So, I hope you can get the most you can from the three experiences I have dropped above from previous Effexor users to manage to permanently pull off the drug in the end.
Learn from their mistakes and know exactly what you have to do to get the most out of Effexor withdrawal treatment.
If you are considering terminating your Effexor medicine, consult with your doctor to explore the risks and advantages of doing so. Never give up "cold turkey."
In many circumstances, gradually reducing your dosage under the supervision of your doctor is the best method to discontinue most antidepressants.
Tapering allows your brain to acclimate to the chemical changes and may help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Your doctor will instruct you on how to gradually reduce your dosage over a few days. Never attempt this on your own.
Doctors may sometimes prescribe medications to aid with withdrawal symptoms such as nausea or sleeplessness.
They may also recommend moving from a short-acting to a long-acting antidepressant to aid the transition off of depression medication.
Symptoms of discontinuation normally subside after a few weeks. However, if your withdrawal symptoms are particularly severe, your doctor may offer alternative medications to alleviate them.
Can I go through the Effexor Withdrawal treatment when pregnant or breastfeeding?
There have been several studies and speculations that Effexor has side effects during pregnancy or nursing on the baby, but it has been reported that many mothers have used Effexor without their babies experiencing side effects.
But here we are talking about Effexor withdrawal treatment using the Wet Finger Method, and since we have already established that Effexor has serious side effects on withdrawal, now the question is can you go through the Effexor Withdrawal treatment when pregnant or nursing? Will your baby be affected?
Well, the good news is that there is generally no need to taper off antidepressant medications during pregnancy or breastfeeding because it hasn’t been scientifically proven that these antidepressant drugs can hurt your baby if taken as prescribed, even though there have been certain studies that say otherwise.
These studies and speculations are inconclusive.
But if you need to get off an antidepressant-like Effexor, then the Wet Finger method is probably the safest out there all around, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.
I have already given the benefits of this method under one of the sub-headings above where I have given the benefits of using the Wet Finger Method for Effexor withdrawal.
So you can check and see why I said that this method is ok for you as a pregnant woman or a nursing mother.
Always make sure to have a doctor supervise you if you are using this method when pregnant or breast-feeding because the doctor will be quick enough to know if this method or treatment is beneficial or harmful for you and your baby, and then recommend the next course of action based on his/her analysis.
Is It Safe To Use The Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal?
In other words, is there any harm in using this method? Nope, there isn’t. I have already explained this earlier.
This method is the safest method out there to treat Effexor withdrawal, but the bottom line is that it doesn’t always work.
So if you notice that Effexor withdrawal side effects become more serious than usual, then this shows that this method isn’t working for you.
You should cease the treatment immediately and consult your doctor for alternative treatments available.
What are the long-term side effects of the wet finger method for Effexor withdrawal treatment?
There are no long-term side effects to using this method. It is either the method works or not. On starting this method, you wouldn’t have to wait long to know if it works for you or not.
Within a few hours of using this method, if the side effects you usually experience from Effexor withdrawal are less, then the method works for you and then you gradually reduce your dosage till when your doctor says it is time to abstain totally from Effexor.
But if the side effects persist more than before, then this method didn’t work for you. Consult your doctor for other treatments.
How long does the wet finger method for Effexor withdrawal treatment last?
If this method works for you right from the beginning, then the duration of this treatment ranges from 1 month to 1 year, depending on you.
The process varies for different people. Your doctor will decide how long you should take the treatment. Remember that it’s all for your good, and it will definitely be worth it in the end.
What is the best treatment for Effexor withdrawal?
Working with your doctor to design a tapering regimen is the most dependable strategy to avoid Effexor withdrawal.
If you stop taking Effexor suddenly and have withdrawal symptoms, the only known approach to treat them is to restart Effexor and gradually reduce the dosage with your doctor.
Some research suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based treatments may help individuals manage their symptoms better.
Other remedies or alternative methods to treat Effexor withdrawal
There are other alternative treatments for you if the Wet Finger method didn’t work for you.
Working with your doctor to design a tapering regimen is the most dependable strategy to avoid Effexor withdrawal.
If you stop taking Effexor suddenly and have withdrawal symptoms, the only known approach to treat them is to restart Effexor and gradually reduce the dosage with your doctor.
Some research suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based treatments may help individuals manage their symptoms better.
Medical Detoxification (Medical Detox)
Detoxification from Effexor is the process of allowing the medicines to exit your body while under medical supervision.
This procedure helps to decrease withdrawal symptoms and ensures that if a person suffers any negative side effects, they may obtain immediate medical attention.
Medical detox nearly typically entails gradually weaning off a person's medication over weeks or even months. Several programs may be formed during medical detox.
Some folks cut their dosage in half and then cut it in quarters again. Others taper down in as little as a month, while others taper down over many months.
Although medical detox is not necessary for Effexor withdrawal, persons with ADS may benefit from a rehab clinic that can help them go off Effexor safely while also offering behavioral therapy and other therapies.
People who use Effexor in conjunction with other drugs may benefit from medical detox to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
This is particularly true if you are using Effexor to treat a mental health problem since it might exacerbate withdrawal symptoms.
Programs for Effexor (Venlafaxine) Rehabilitation
Many individuals are unsure what it will be like to attend a recovery program. Intake, medical detox, treatment, and aftercare are common components of these programs. Aftercare refers to the counseling and helps that a person gets after stopping venlafaxine to ensure that they do not relapse.
Choosing an Effexor (Venlafaxine) Rehabilitation Facility
Choosing the finest rehab facility is frequently a challenging decision due to a large number of options available.
However, it is critical to evaluate each possible center and assess whether or not the site will fulfill your requirements.
Some of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best rehab center are licensing issues, the facility's treatment protocol, the possibility of aftercare to ensure that a person stays off Effexor, whether the facility is short-term or long-term, and what types of support are available at the program.
It is critical to ensure that a facility meets these and many more conditions since the right rehab center will be able to assist a person stop using Effexor and remain off the drug.
How to taper off or wean off Effexor
Anyone thinking about stopping Effexor or another antidepressant should speak with a doctor.
Several studies have indicated that gradually discontinuing consumption is the best method to avoid ADS and withdrawal symptoms.
An Effexor taper timeline varies by individual, but a common rule of thumb is to lower the Effexor dosage by 10 mg every two weeks for a minimum of four weeks.
Your doctor may work with you to design the most efficient tapering program for your specific case.
Effexor withdrawal therapies or remedies
There are no proven Effexor withdrawal treatments. If you stop taking Effexor and have withdrawal symptoms, contact your doctor right away.
They may be able to restart you on Effexor or another antidepressant, resolving your withdrawal symptoms.
Furthermore, focusing on your health may help to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Some pointers are as follows:
- Consume a well-balanced diet.
- Maintain proper hydration.
- Consider doing gentle exercise regularly, such as yoga.
- Consider therapy or counseling, particularly if you were using Effexor to treat a mental health problem.
Cross-tapering is another alternative treatment for Effexor Withdrawal that may be useful in preventing or minimizing Effexor ADS symptoms.
Cross-tapering is the process of switching from high doses of Effexor to a comparable antidepressant, usually duloxetine.
However, if cross-tapering is done poorly, there is a danger of serotonin syndrome. Before taking another medicine that inhibits serotonin reuptake, a "wash-out" period of about five half-lives — around 20 hours for Effexor — must be completed.
Another alternative is the Bead Counting Method which entails counting capsules to determine how many are in each dosage and removing 5 or 6 capsules every 3- 4 days or so.
Rehab for Effexor (Venlafaxine) inpatients
Inpatient rehabilitation programs provide the chance to live among other individuals who are dealing with similar challenges with Effexor and other antidepressants while seeking treatment for their addiction.
Inpatient programs offer employees 24-hour care and require them to remain at the facility for some time.
People at these facilities get counseling daily, which may or may not include participation in a 12-step recovery program.
Inpatient alternatives are typically indicated for persons who are on higher dosages of the medicine as well as others who need acute care while quitting Effexor usage (Venlafaxine).
Outpatient Effexor Withdrawal Treatment
People suffering from Effexor withdrawal symptoms may benefit from outpatient rehab programs that include cognitive-behavioral treatments and other kinds of psychotherapy.
Behavioral treatments are also likely to be quite effective for persons who are worried about relapses of depression or anxiety.
Many patients who wish to stop using venlafaxine or other antidepressant drugs might benefit from outpatient therapy.
These methods allow patients to wean themselves off venlafaxine without having to postpone personal or professional responsibilities.
Outpatient programs provide counseling that teaches individuals how to manage their lives and cope with the different obstacles and stressors that life may provide.
These solutions are often the best for persons who do not have major adverse effects from ceasing venlafaxine and who do not need intensive care in ending the medicine.
Effexor Detoxification at Home
Many individuals who discontinue Effexor, either suddenly or gradually, do so at home. Because abrupt discontinuation might raise the risk of ADS, it's critical to follow your doctor's recommendations when it comes to stopping Effexor at home and managing side effects.
This includes having a friend or loved one accessible for support or to assist in identifying mood changes that might occur when an antidepressant is discontinued.
Of course, the cost of Effexor medication is a significant consideration that will impact your choice.
While the cost of a treatment program varies based on its location, services, personnel, facilities, and other considerations, there are often many alternative payment methods available to assist lower your out-of-pocket expenditures for Effexor recovery, including:
- Financed healthcare loans
- Crowdfunding
- HSA funds
- Credit cards
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Health insurance benefits
Medical, detox, support groups, and counseling are some of the strategies used by rehab clinics to help patients stop using Effexor.
With the assistance of a doctor, many individuals may successfully discontinue antidepressants such as Effexor (Venlafaxine).
When a person has difficulty stopping venlafaxine, it is generally necessary to seek appropriate therapy and rehabilitation.
Quitting antidepressants abruptly might cause severe withdrawal symptoms, similar to quitting other forms of addictive medicines.
Instead, to prevent significant addiction concerns, a person should gradually come off the medicine.
This procedure might be made considerably more difficult if a person struggles with addiction.
Medical, detox, support groups, and counseling are some of the strategies used by rehab clinics to help patients stop using Effexor.
For persons who have been taking antidepressants for a long time, it is frequently necessary to seek inpatient treatment so that withdrawal may be done gradually and under the supervision of a doctor.
A possible treatment strategy is taking another medicine while withdrawing to ensure that the procedure is more progressive than stopping the drug "cold turkey."
Psychological therapy is another treatment option sought by individuals who wish to stop using antidepressants. It helps a person overcome doubts about quitting the medicine.
It is a treatment, which provides counseling and medical aid but does not need a person to dwell in a facility while they cease the medication, which is another popular choice.
Options for Continuing Care for Effexor Addiction Treatment
Effexor addiction may be tough to overcome, but with high levels of support and structure in treatment, you can gradually transition to a life of sobriety.
There are various kinds of ongoing treatment alternatives for Effexor addiction, the most frequent of which are sober living programs and aftercare programs.
Programs for Sober Living
A sober living program is intended to assist persons in recovery from addiction with recovery support services as well as a secure living environment.
Sober living homes, also known as halfway houses, 34 houses, and transitional living homes, may be single residential homes or apartment complexes adapted for persons in rehabilitation.
A sober living program offers structure, peer support, and a secure, sober living environment, as well as a variety of recovery support services such as:
- Educational planning
- Employment assistance
- Volunteer placement
- Peer monitoring programs
- Tiered recovery programming
Regular drug and alcohol testing
Sober-living clients may progressively learn how to live an independent and sober life before re-entering society after treatment with these support services and a secure place to call home.
Programs for Aftercare
Another kind of sobriety support program for those in recovery is an aftercare program.
Aftercare is intended exclusively for graduates of drug and alcohol recovery programs and provides individualized peer support in a group setting.
Aftercare is often held once a week and provides a secure, supportive, and drug-free atmosphere for persons in recovery to connect with their sober friends and share life experiences.
A skilled addiction treatment expert facilitates the aftercare group, guiding the dialogue to allow for personal development, encouragement, and peer support among the members of the group.
Aftercare is simply one option for ongoing care after detox and rehab, but it works best when paired with additional programs such as IOP, sober living, or frequent attendance at a local recovery support group.
Does the Wet Finger Method for Effexor Withdrawal really work?
There is no scientific data to support the anecdotal evidence that the Wet Finger method helps with Effexor withdrawal.
In reality, taking Effexor in this way is dangerous, because of the potential of increasing the risk of side effects.
If your side effects increase, stop this method immediately and consult your doctor. There are other treatments available.
Alright, that is it. I hope this article answered the questions you had concerning the Wet Finger Method for Effexor withdrawal treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Wet Finger Method for Effexor withdrawal treatment.
How often should you do the wet finger method?
This depends on your doctor. The process of the method varies individually, so your doctor will provide a regime that is suitable for your body system.
Is the Wet Finger Method For Effexor Withdrawal the same thing as cold turkey?
No, it isn’t. The wet finger method is similar to tapering off in where you gradually reduce the dosage of Effexor pills you take, but you are still taking it.
Whereby, cold turkey means getting off the medication immediately without tapering off first.
So they are two different things.
Why didn’t the Wet withdrawal method for Effexor withdrawal work for me?
This method doesn’t work for everybody. It all depends on the following factors;
- How you are taking the treatment (your seriousness and the efficiency of the doctor treating or supervising you).
- Overall health and body system functionality.
- Your current dosage (if you're on a low dosage, you'll be able to taper off faster).
- Previous experience with withdrawal symptoms.
- How long you've used the drug.
If you come through on all these factors, checking through with all, then the Wet withdrawal method should work for you.
![Anything helps with Effexor withdrawal? Wet Finger Method.](https://www.healthsoothe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/cropped-3D_Logo_Mockup_F5_2001x200_-removebg-preview.png)
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The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you to interpret any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.