Snorting Seroquel: Dangers Of Seroquel Insufflation

Seroquel (Quetiapine) is an FDA-approved antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and severe sleep problems. Although doctors prescribe it for legitimate medical reasons, Seroquel has increasingly become a target for prescription drug abuse across the United States.

Some people crush and snort Seroquel pills to get faster or more intense effects than taking the medication as prescribed. This practice can cause serious health complications and increases the risk of overdose and other harmful side effects.

Why Is It Dangerous To Snort Seroquel?

The recommended starting dose of Seroquel is 50 mg/day, taken once a day, in pill form. The medication is meant to be taken whole in pill form. When Seroquel is taken under the supervision of a qualified medical professional and exactly as prescribed, it is unlikely to lead to chemical dependency, addiction, or adverse side effects.

Seroquel influences levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, leading to calmness and relaxation. People who snort Seroquel may be seeking to intensify these effects. Unfortunately, this method of ingestion may lead to too much of the drug being released in the body at once, creating a higher risk for negative side effects.

Seroquel And Polysubstance Abuse

People who abuse Seroquel often combine it with other drugs, such as marijuana and alcohol. In these cases, Seroquel pills are crushed and snorted (insufflated) or smoked. These methods of abuse bypass the medication’s controlled release properties, resulting in direct absorption into the bloodstream.

Seroquel abuse may put a person at high risk of developing a substance use disorder and experiencing dangerous side effects, especially when combined with other drugs.

Side Effects Of Snorting Seroquel

Snorting Seroquel destroys the sustained-release properties of the medication and creates a euphoric high. The nasal passageways are highly vascularized and allow for drugs to quickly enter the bloodstream. Drug insufflation is a common method of ingestion among individuals who abuse drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines.

When someone snorts Seroquel, the powder travels from blood vessels in the nose directly to the heart and lungs, before being distributed to the rest of the body. Snorting Seroquel can lead to dangerous levels of the drug being present in the bloodstream, leading to unpredictable effects, high risks of addiction, and overdose.

Side effects of snorting Seroquel include:

• anxiety
• agitation
• euphoria
• increased energy
• hyper-alertness
• high blood pressure
• increased heart rate
• elevated breathing
• high body temperature
• seizures
• damage to nasal passages
• damage to throat and lung tissues
• inflammation of nasal airways

Snorting Seroquel also causes damage to the nasal passages, sinuses, and respiratory system, including chronic congestion, sinus infections, nosebleeds, and loss of smell. The practice can also create painful sores in the mouth and sinuses, difficulty swallowing, and lead to respiratory complications like upper-respiratory infections, pneumonia, and sleep apnea.

Withdrawal From Seroquel

Antidepressant (SSRI) drugs such as Seroquel affect serotonin levels and dopamine receptors in the brain and are known to cause noticeable withdrawal symptoms. If people become addicted to Seroquel and stop the drug suddenly, they may develop suicidal thoughts and other adverse side effects.

Seroquel withdrawal symptoms may include:

• suicidal thoughts
• irritability
• depression
• extreme agitation
• aggressive behavior
• cardiac arrhythmias
• cardiac arrest
• stroke

Stopping Seroquel suddenly may lead to health problems such as cardiac arrest and other medical dysfunctions. If you intend to quit Seroquel, seek medical advice from a trusted physician.

Addiction Treatment Options

Recovery from prescription drug abuse like Seroquel addiction is possible with professional help and support. There are many effective treatment programs available that can help people overcome substance use disorders.

Treatment options include:

• inpatient rehabilitation programs
• outpatient treatment services
• case management
• 12-step recovery groups
• medically supervised detox to manage withdrawal symptoms
• individual counseling and behavioral therapy
• group therapy sessions with others in recovery
• medication-assisted treatment
• family therapy to repair relationships
• aftercare planning
• relapse prevention
• dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders

If you or someone you know is battling prescription drug abuse, help is available. Browse our directory of treatment centers or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery resources in your area.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff