Klonopin addiction treatment that actually works

Klonopin is a popular brand name for the drug clonazepam. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines (benzos for short) along with other drugs like Ativan, dalmane, and Xanax.

Klonopin is commonly prescribed short-term management of conditions such as anxiety, panic disorders, or sleep disorders. It is not recommended for long-term use as it has a high potential for dependence and abuse.

Benzodiazepine medications such as Klonopin affect the brain by increasing levels of an inhibitory neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

GABA reduces sensory excitation and inhibits communication between nerves, which reduces anxiety and tension, but also causes somnolence (sleepiness), loss of coordination, and impaired judgement.

In addition to increasing levels of GABA, Klonopin also triggers the release of dopamine (one of the “feel-good” neurotransmitters produced by the body), which can produce euphoria and relaxation.

Klonopin’s rapid rate of action makes it extremely effective, but it’s also one of the primary reasons why it can be so addictive. The body quickly develops a tolerance – meaning users need to take more and more to get the same effect – and becomes dependent on it to produce GABA and function normally.

As a result, discontinuing Klonopin after taking it for long periods of time leaves the brain with inadequate levels of GABA and dopamine. As a result, the brain and nerves become hyper-sensitive and go into overdrive, which is the primary cause of withdrawal symptoms.

The physical and mental withdrawal symptoms typically start to set in within a few hours of the last dose. Exact withdrawal symptoms to vary from person to person and depend on factors like how long the person has been taking the drug, along with frequency of use and dosage.

Klonopin withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Increased anxiety and nervousness
• Tremors
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Panic
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Muscle spasms/tension
• Intense sweating
• Memory issues
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

The most effective way to treat Klonopin withdrawal is with a combination of medical detox to ease physical symptoms and psychological/behavioral support to help patients learn to cope with stress and anxiety.

Medical detox for Klonopin usually involves a careful tapering of the patient’s dose under close medical supervision. Gradually reducing the dose allows the body to adjust to lower and lower levels without inducing the most severe (and potentially life-threatening) withdrawal symptoms.

Physicians may also prescribe other medications including long-acting benzodiazepines such as Valium, as well as aids like antidepressants or beta-blockers to alleviate other withdrawal symptoms.

Klonopin is a short-acting benzodiazepine, so its effects wear off fairly quickly, and withdrawal symptoms typically set in as soon as the drug is out of a user’s system – about 10-12 hours after the last dose.

The exact timeline of withdrawal symptoms depends on individual factors like how long it was taken and at what dosage, but a typical progression looks something like this:

Initial withdrawal phase (approx. 1 – 4 days) – Common symptoms include anxiety and depression, insomnia.

Acute withdrawal phase (approx. 4 days – 2 weeks) – This phase is where most people experience the worst symptoms and may be at risk for seizures that require close medical supervision.

Post-acute withdrawal phase (approx. 2 weeks – months, years) – Duration and severity of post-acute withdrawal symptoms vary, especially when combined with underlying psychological issues such as anxiety or panic disorders.

Klonopin abuse can result in a number of unpleasant effects, including:

• Drowsiness
• Problems with walking and coordination
• Problems with memory
• Dizziness
• Low blood pressure
• Memory impairment
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

The biggest danger with Klonopin abuse is that many users combine it with other substances, including alcohol and opiates such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and heroin. This leads to a synergistic effect that amplifies the effects of both substances.

This polysubstance abuse can profoundly impair short-term memory, judgement, and coordination, and it greatly increases the chance of an accidental injury and/or potentially fatal overdose.

Any use of Klonopin outside of a doctor’s instructions is abuse. This includes tampering with pills by chewing, crushing, cutting, or dissolving them in order to take a higher dose than prescribed.

The signs and symptoms of chronic Klonopin abuse will vary slightly for each individual, but they often include:

• Drowsiness
• Sleeping for long periods of time
• Impaired thinking and judgement
• Slurred speech
• Loss of coordination
• Short-term memory loss
• Sluggishness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Delirium

Chronic Klonopin abuse may lead to changes in appearance and behavior that affect relationships and work performance. Other signs of chronic use can resemble indications for using the drug in the first place, such as anxiety and insomnia.

Overdosing on Klonopin is possible when you take more than the prescribed maximum dosage, and the likelihood of a severe or fatal overdose increases if mixed with alcohol or other drugs.

High doses of benzodiazepines can have serious side effects, including:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Weakness
• Slurred speech
• Memory loss
• Lack of coordination
• Difficulty breathing
• Coma