Klonopin Addiction & Treatment

What is Klonopin?

Klonopin (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and seizures. It works by calming your central nervous system and can also treat insomnia and alcohol withdrawal. However, Klonopin also has a high potential for benzo addiction and abuse. Physical dependence and addiction to Klonopin can develop within a few weeks, even when used as prescribed. Klonopin comes in an oral pill form that is available in several doses that do not exceed 4 mg per day. It may be taken at a regular time each day or on an as-needed basis.

Klonopin Effects

Clonazepam (Klonopin) and other benzodiazepine medications work by altering electrical activity between brain cells. Effects of Klonopin include reducing anxiety and feelings of fright, especially in people with anxiety disorders, but like many other medications, it can also cause some adverse effects. Side effects of Klonopin include:

• Seizures
• Birth defects
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Weak or shallow breathing
• Accidental falls
• Drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Slurred speech
• Insomnia
• Painful or difficult urination
• Unusual heartbeat
• Suicidal thoughts

Signs of Klonopin Abuse and Addiction

Addiction to Clonazepam (Klonopin) develops when the user builds up a tolerance to the drug and needs more to get the same effect. Some signs of substance abuse and addiction to Klonopin include:

• Having a desire to quit but unable to do so
• Persistent cravings
• Continued use despite negative consequences to health, personal life, and professional life
• Developing legal or financial issues
• Loss of interest in social or professional obligations

Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms

Klonopin addiction can happen within just a few weeks after starting a course of medication. Klonopin blocks receptors in the brain to reduce stress and anxiety. However, the brain can become dependent on these mechanisms and no longer know how to function without them. When a person attempts to stop using Clonazepam Klonopin, they develop withdrawal symptoms similar to alcohol withdrawal such as:

• Flu-like feeling
• Rebound anxiety
• Muscle spasms
• Hyperventilation
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Tremors
• Trouble sleeping
• Nightmares
• Extreme sensitivity to light
• Grand mal seizures
• Irritability and agitation
• Panic attacks
• Restlessness
• Strange bodily sensations
• Hallucination, delirium, and delusions
• Strange perceptual changes, such as things tasting or feeling different

Some symptoms of Klonopin withdrawal are highly dangerous and you should never stop using them abruptly. Medical detox at a treatment center may be necessary to safely and successfully stop benzo addiction.

Long-Term Side Effects of Klonopin Abuse

Some long-term side effects of Klonopin can include:

• Memory loss
• Overdose
• Poor concentration
• Poly-drug abuse
• Increased risk of fractures or falls
• Physiological dependence
• Weakness
• Cognitive problems
• Vertigo
• Mental confusion
• Hostility
• Antisocial behavior
• Depression
• Emotional blunting
• Insomnia

Klonopin Addiction Treatment

Anyone can develop an addiction to Klonopin easily, even when taken as prescribed. Klonopin withdrawal can be severe and even dangerous, however, addiction treatment programs can lead to successful substance use disorder recovery through evidence-based substance abuse therapies. Treatment programs can offer several levels of care to fit any drug addiction or personal needs. Klonopin addiction does require drug and alcohol detox programs with medication-assisted treatment to help you safely go through Klonopin withdrawal. You can then transfer to drug rehab and the level of care recommended will be based mostly on the severity of your drug addiction. Inpatient treatment programs are critical for long-standing or severe drug addiction, which will allow you to fully immerse yourself into your treatment and rehab program and not be tempted by influences outside the recovery center. Once inpatient rehab is complete, you should enter an outpatient program. Outpatient rehab includes intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and virtual outpatient rehab. An outpatient program can allow you to continue going to work or school while in addiction treatment, can be less costly, and also help you apply what you have learned to everyday life in real-time.

No matter which rehab program you choose, they all offer relatively the same forms of addiction treatment. Many individuals with benzodiazepine addictions have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, panic disorder, eating disorders, and PTSD that must be addressed during drug rehab for true addiction recovery. Prescription drug addiction treatment should include dual diagnosis programs to address underlying mental illness disorders. Some therapies that are part of substance abuse treatment programs include:

• Drugs detox
• Individual therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Family therapy
• Group Therapy
• 12-Step programming
• Biofeedback
• Holistic therapies

If you have questions about rehab and substance use disorders, DayBreak Treatment Solutions is available to answer your questions.