Klonopin Addiction And Abuse

Addiction To Klonopin

Klonopin is a potentially habit-forming Benzodiazepine, with some people developing Klonopin addiction in as little as a few weeks after starting a course of medication. Many people have become addicted to Klonopin by taking only the amount prescribed by their doctor. Klonopin blocks special receptors in the brain to reduce anxiety, stress, and difficulty relaxing. Once a person is addicted to the drug, their brain can no longer produce feelings of relaxation and calmness without it. This is why people addicted to Klonopin struggle to quit and are unable to function normally when they don’t have it.

Signs of a Klonopin addiction might include:

• Persistent cravings for Klonopin.
• Continued Klonopin use despite negative consequences.
• Having a desire to quit but being unable to do so.
• Losing interest in social or professional obligations.
• Developing legal or financial issues.

Klonopin addiction starts when users build a tolerance to the drug, which means they need larger doses to get the same effects they once received from smaller doses. Some users then start taking more than they were prescribed or using the drug just to get high.

Singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks publicly shared her struggles with a Klonopin addiction. Because the drug was prescribed by her doctor, Nicks said she had a false sense of security about using it.

I didn’t really understand right up until the end that it was the Klonopin that was making me crazy. I really didn’t realize it was that drug because I was taking it from a doctor and it was prescribed.

Eventually, users with a tolerance will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking Klonopin. Klonopin withdrawal symptoms range from intense anxiety to seizures. These symptoms can be deadly, making it dangerous for Klonopin users to quit without medical supervision.

Understanding Klonopin (Clonazepam)

A long-acting Benzodiazepine, Klonopin is the brand name for Clonazepam. Klonopin slows down brain activity to help users feel relaxed. It was initially formulated to help people with epilepsy manage seizures. Later, the drug’s rapid and powerful calming effects were also recognized as a way to treat panic attacks. Klonopin is often prescribed to ease anxiety and withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and other addictive substances. Doctors may also prescribe Klonopin for short-term insomnia. The drug is swallowed as a blue tablet or taken as a quick-dissolve tablet placed on the tongue as often as three times a day. Slang terms for Klonopin include K-pins, Tranks, Downers, or Benzos.

Klonopin isn’t generally recommended for long-term use because of its addictive potential. The drug has a relatively long half-life, or length of time the drug is active in the body.

Once Klonopin’s effects wear off, addicted users start to experience symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. Many people attempting to quit Klonopin relapse when withdrawal symptoms become unbearable.

Klonopin Addiction: Effects And Abuse

Although Klonopin is effective in treating severe medical problems like epilepsy, it is also a potent drug that is likely to be abused. Any use of Klonopin without a prescription is considered abuse. At higher than prescribed doses, Klonopin greatly depresses the central nervous system (CNS). This causes a short, euphoric “high” followed by a hazy, intoxicated stupor. Some people crush Klonopin tablets up into a fine powder and snort them to intensify the drug’s effects.

When someone abuses Klonopin, takes doses that are too high, or uses it for long time periods, they may exhibit symptoms such as:

• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Fainting
• Numbness
• Impaired cognition
• Confusion
• Slowed reaction time
• Impaired judgement
• Reduced libido

Klonopin is most frequently abused with alcohol to intensify the effects of both drugs, which can lead to blacking out and possibly respiratory failure. Some people abuse Klonopin because it can produce hallucinatory effects when taken in large enough doses. No matter the reason for abuse, large doses of Klonopin can put users at risk of overdose. Klonopin is a CNS Depressant. As the drug slows the central nervous system, functions like heart rate and breathing are slowed. Coma or death can occur.

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Signs of a Klonopin overdose include:

• Slurred speech
• Extreme drowsiness
• Unsteady walking
• Reduced attention span
• Memory impairment
• Lack of coordination

When someone abuses Klonopin, they are likely to struggle with body function and overall alertness. After a period of time dependent on Klonopin, there is risk of paradoxical reactions. Paradoxical reactions are the opposite effect of what the drug is supposed to be doing, such as increased irritability, anxiety, agitation, and poor sleep. Long-term use of Klonopin can also lead to depression and panic attacks.

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Common Klonopin Drug Combinations

Polydrug use is common among Klonopin users hoping to mask or amplify the drug’s effects. Some people take Cocaine or other Stimulants to counteract the sedative effects of Klonopin. Others may take alcohol to enhance Klonopin’s calming effects, whether it’s for the sake of trying to sleep or getting a better high. The worst consequence of combining Klonopin with other drugs, especially CNS depressants like alcohol, is a fatal overdose. In combination, alcohol and Klonopin can slow down a person’s central nervous system to the point where they stop breathing entirely.

Taking Cocaine may help users stay awake, but it may also give them a false sense of how much Klonopin they can handle. Cocaine wears off faster than Klonopin, causing the user to take more than intended. This could lead to overdose, causing severe complications like coma, seizures, and death.

Klonopin Abuse Statistics

Klonopin Addiction Treatment

An addiction to Klonopin can leave you feeling isolated and alone, but there is help available. Contact a treatment provider to find rehab-related help.

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