Venlafaxine is a drug, and, as a drug, it can create not only addiction, but also and definitely physical dependence, you can't just stop venlafaxine and hope that you will be magically ok, you have to do tapering, and consult with a psychiatrist, I have just stopped consuming venlafaxing after a slow tapering, I was taking 1/4 of 75 mg of venlafaxine (1 pill), which is already have to cut, one week in and I'm still taking paracetamol (pill for the headsche) (here in uruguay), but, ince I did tapering,since I gradually reduced my consumption of the pill, my withdrawal effects hasn't prevented me from sleeping or working as I always should, I just have a headache if not taking paracetamol, the headache is becoming less painful as each day passes, so that's a very good sign