I am currently tapering off a combination of Bupropion 150 MG and Venlafaxine 75 MG, which I have been taking for about five years. Before that, I tried several other medications, including Lexapro and Zoloft. I haven’t gone cold turkey, but I am navigating this process without a doctor’s supervision. Getting off Bupropion wasn’t too difficult, but discontinuing Venlafaxine, as many have warned, is proving to be much more challenging. I’ve reduced my doses, and now in my third week, I’m experiencing disruptions like brain zaps, lethargy, and anger.

The reason I’m undertaking this journey is personal. I believe some people genuinely need medications, but I also think they can sometimes serve as a crutch, with doctors readily prescribing them. We’ve become a society that alleviates our problems with drugs rather than confronting them directly.

That’s why I’m making this change; I want to regain control of my life. We all face difficulties—some more than others—and I’ve endured the loss of ten close individuals over the past fifteen years, alongside various financial and relationship challenges. I refuse to depend on medication for the rest of my life.

I look forward to emerging from this experience healthier and more in control. I’ve learned a lot from the posts I’ve read and truly appreciate the struggles each person is going through or has overcome. Every journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Ultimately, it comes down to what is best for you.