What You Really Need to Know About Klonopin Addiction
Klonopin stands out as the most addictive of all the Benzodiazepines group medications. This addictive anti-anxiety drug has two primary features that make it optimal for dependence: a quick action onset and a lengthy half-life.
How is Addiction/Abuse Formed From This Drug?
Klonopin is a habit-forming Benzodiazepine, and a quick worker at that, with some patients developing Klonopin addiction as soon as a few weeks after beginning treatment.
Many people have developed a Klonopin addiction despite following the physician’s prescribed dosage and frequency. Klonopin works by blocking specific receptors in the brain that cause anxiety, tension, and trouble relaxing. When a person becomes addicted to the drug, their brain cannot feel calm and relaxed without taking Klonopin.
As a result, the body performs suboptimally unless some amount of Klonopin is available in the system. When Klonopin levels fall below a particular level, an individual will begin to suffer potentially severe benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction to Klonopin can be established at the point when the addict begins to behave and think differently, with their focus and attention increasingly directed at getting their hands on more of the drug. The following factors will impact the user’s susceptibility to Klonopin addiction:
- How long the user has been taking the drug
- The typical dosage used each time
- How often the user takes the drug
Increased usage typically leads to increased tolerance and dependency and an increased likelihood of addiction. Remember that even those who take the medication as per the doctor’s orders may still get addicted.
Symptoms of Klonopin addiction may include:
- Klonopin cravings that don’t go away
- Taking Klonopin despite developing severe side effects
- Deciding to quit but unable to push through
- Loss of interest in social or professional activities
- Failing to handle financial or legal responsibilities
Klonopin addiction begins when users tolerate the medication, requiring higher dosages to achieve the same results they formerly did at lower amounts.
What is Klonopin Used For?
Klonopin is the brand name for the benzodiazepine medication clonazepam (benzos) and was initially approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1975. Klonopin is classified as a depressant due to its interaction with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows neuron activity by blocking the function of other transmitters. When nerve activity is dampened, there is an overall loss in mental and physical motor abilities, which makes the use of this drug in high-functioning activities like driving or operating heavy equipment extremely hazardous.
Given that Klonopin works by depressing the central nervous system (CNS), it is not surprising that it is pretty helpful in soothing those suffering from anxiety and panic disorders and those who have PTSD. This soothing effect, however, is also what makes it addicting.
In a nutshell, it’s a benzodiazepine that slows down electrical activity in the brain.
What are the Potential Adverse or Side Effects of Klonopin?
Klonopin intake can result in undesirable side effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or persistent:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- unsteadiness
- issues with coordination
- increased saliva production
- trouble thinking or remembering
- muscular or joint discomfort
- Urinating more than usual
- Blurred vision
- changes in sex urge or ability
When someone abuses Klonopin, their bodily function and general alertness are likely to deteriorate. There is a possibility of paradoxical responses after a length of time of Klonopin dependence.
Paradoxical responses are defined as a drug response that’s the opposite of what it was originally meant to do. In the case of Klonopin, increased irritability, anxiety, agitation, and poor sleep are what constitute a paradoxical response. Long-term Klonopin use can potentially result in depression and panic attacks.
Long-term use leads to adverse effects that may have fatal complications, make sure to contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you experience the following:
- Rash
- Hives
- Eye, face, lip, tongue, or throat swelling trouble breathing or swallowing hoarseness
- breathing difficulties
If you have a significant adverse effect, you or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program, which may be accessed online or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What Does the Klonopin High Feel Like?
The drug’s CNS depression mechanism produces a euphoric high that addicts willfully chase. Put another way; users describe the high as being enveloped in peace while feeling overwhelming joy.
This is the “high” that intoxicated users chase and is clinically characterized by severe sleepiness, feelings of overwhelming body relaxation, and slurred speech. Klonopin is a fast-acting medication that usually begins functioning within an hour and lasts between 8 and 10 hours.
When using this medication, some people will have blackouts. People who misuse Klonopin may also begin to overdo other things, such as:
- Increased consumption of food and beverages
- Increased sleeping times and feeling mostly tired
- Increased tendency to abuse other drugs since Klonopin lowers inhibition
Typical Klonopin Drug Combinations
Polydrug usage is frequent among Klonopin users who want to hide or intensify the effects of the drug. To offset the sedative effects of Klonopin, some people use cocaine or other stimulants. Others may use alcohol to increase Klonopin’s calming effects, whether in an attempt to sleep or chase a higher high.
A lethal overdose is the most dangerous side effect of mixing Klonopin with other medications, particularly CNS depressants such as alcohol. When combined, alcohol and Klonopin can cause a person’s central nervous system to slow down to the point where they cease breathing altogether.
Cocaine may help users remain awake, but it may also give them an incorrect impression of how much Klonopin they can tolerate. Cocaine wears off faster than Klonopin, leading the user to overdose. This might result in an overdose, resulting in severe consequences such as coma, convulsions, and death.
How Klonopin Addiction/Abuse Is Treated
Addiction treatment is a complex and highly personalized process. It is a procedure that should only be placed in the hands of medical professionals.
Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines such as Klonopin can be alarming and dangerous at times. Therefore medical detoxification is recommended. Your vital signs will be monitored during this time as the Klonopin dose is progressively reduced to guarantee your safety and comfort. Longer-lasting sedative medicine may be necessary for some situations to treat any subsequent seizure activity.
The amount of time spent in treatment is determined by the severity of the Klonopin addiction. Most inpatient treatment programs last 28, 60, or 90 days.
Following detox, some people will continue their recovery through outpatient therapy, while others require rehabilitation clinics’ more intensive, residential environment. In a rehab, someone dealing with a Klonopin addiction will get regular individual and group therapy to address and resolve addiction-related difficulties and provide community support and healing.
Conclusion
In many respects, benzo addiction is similar to other addictions in that complete recovery is only possible by addressing the root problems. Managing symptoms is not the same as actually receiving therapy.
To guarantee long-term rehabilitation and abstinence, the person must work with medical professionals to identify the actual root cause of the addiction. Getting expert assistance is the most efficient method to do this. Trying to achieve sobriety on your own might put you in danger of experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.