Clonazepam (Klonopin) Addiction

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a prescription medication commonly used in the treatment of seizures and anxiety disorders. If you continue using this drug over the long term, however, you may develop a substance use disorder or an addiction. This is also true if you mix it with other addictive substances like alcohol or if you take it any way other than your doctor recommended.

The only way to overcome your growing substance use disorder would be by enrolling in an addiction treatment and rehabilitation program. By so doing, you will benefit from various counseling, therapy, and detox approaches until you achieve full recovery. Read on to find out more:

About The Clonazepam (Klonopin)

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is among the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. As such, it is not entirely surprising that many Americans struggle with addiction involving this drug that is classified as a benzodiazepine.

Often, doctor prescribe Clonazepam (Klonopin) for the treatment of various anxiety disorders. These disorders include but are not always limited to:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Specific phobias

Apart from the management of these mental health disorders, doctors may also prescribe it for the treatment of seizure disorders and spasticity, as well as in dealing with acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Further, it is used as one of the primary induction agents before anesthesia is administered before invasive surgical procedures.

Klonopin works by regulating the overstimulation and overexcitement of the brain. However, it is due to this working mechanism that you may soon find yourself abusing this drug by taking it for a non-medical purpose.

If you take this medication in any way other than your doctor advised, for a non-medical reason, or for a long period of time, there is a high risk that it could create chemical changes inside your brain.

The drug can also suppress certain parts of your brain that could eventually become used to the way it interacts with the brain. Over time, you could develop tolerance - which means you would have to take it in higher doses or more often than you used to before you experience its pleasurable effects.

Eventually, tolerance will be replaced by dependence. Once this happens, you could receive a medical diagnosis for a substance use disorder or an addiction involving this benzodiazepine medication.

Other Names for Clonazepam (Klonopin)

On the streets, people refer to Klonopin using a wide variety of names to avoid detection by law enforcement officials and other authorities. Examples of these street names include but are not limited to:

• K-pin
• Benzos
• Downers
• Tranks

Signs and Symptoms of Clonazepam (Klonopin) Addiction

Tolerance is one of the main signs and symptoms of Klonopin addiction. After you have become tolerant to the effects of this drug, you could start displaying other signs of a substance use disorder. These signs include:

• Abandonment of the activities you previously used to enjoy so that you can abuse Klonopin
• Aggression
• Agitation
• Behavioral changes
• Bleeding easily
• Bruising easily
• Changing the friends and people you spend most of your time with so that they include other drug users
• Clumsiness
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Continued drug use even after experiencing obvious negative consequences as a result
• Delayed reaction time
• Depression
• Difficulties remembering events and facts
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Experiencing financial problems as a result of your ongoing due use
• Fatigue
• Feeling that you need to take the drug even before you start your day
• Feelings of depression
• Hallucinations
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Impaired judgment
• Inability to curtail your ongoing compulsive drug use
• Involuntary or unusual eye movements
• Lack of coordination
• Lack of motivation
• Loss of control over your bodily movements
• Memory loss
• Moving slower than you used to
• Nausea
• Noticeable changes in your habits
• Painful urinations
• Pale skin
• Paranoia
• Poor nutritional status
• Pounding heartbeats
• Problems walking
• Profound sleepiness even through the day
• Psychotic symptoms
• Purchasing the drug illegally
• Reduced performance at school or work
• Restlessness
• Seizures
• Shallow breathing
• Slowed reaction time
• Slurred speech
• Stomach upsets
• Taking risky decisions
• Trouble remembering things, especially those that occurred after you had used the drug
• Uncharacteristic behaviors
• Unconsciousness
• Unusual thoughts
• Violent behaviors
• Visiting more than one doctor or pharmacist so that you can get another prescription or refill for this drug
• Vomiting
• Weak breathing

Short and Long-Term Effects of Clonazepam (Klonopin) Abuse

Even though Klonopin is quite effective in the treatment of various medical problems, you also need to realize that it is a potent drug that could cause you to start engaging in substance abuse.

Some of the various short and long term effects that will arise when you abuse this drug include:

• A reduction in agitation
• A relaxed body
• A relaxed mindset
• Blurred vision
• Breathing difficulties
• Changes in sex drive
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Depression of the CNS (central nervous system)
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Drooling
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Euphoria
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Feelings of calm
• Feelings of peace
• Frequent urination
• Hastened onset of sleep
• Hazy and intoxicated stupor
• Headaches
• High risk of suicidal thoughts, actions, and tendencies
• Hives
• Hoarseness
• Impaired cognition
• Impaired judgment
• Increased saliva
• Insomnia
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of balance
• Loss of coordination
• Memory problems
• Muscle pain
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea
• Numbness
• Problems with coordination
• Prolonged sleep duration
• Rashes
• Reduced libido
• Reduced mental alertness
• Reduced muscular tension
• Reduced rigidity
• Respiratory difficulty
• Runny nose
• Seizure disorders
• Skin rashes
• Slow reaction time
• Slowed brain activity
• Slowed thoughts
• Slurred speech
• Sore gums
• Swallowing difficulties
• Swelling of the throat, face, lips, eyes, and tongue
• Unsteadiness
• Vertigo
• Weight changes

Clonazepam (Klonopin) Overdose

One of the most significant risks that you stand to suffer as a result of abusing this drug, however, revolves around overdose. This could happen because you took Klonopin in an excessive dose or by mixing it with another drug.

Drug mixing will, in particular intensify all the effects that you will feel from all the addictive substances that you take. As a result, you could suffer respiratory failure and black out. Other side effects that arise due to overdosing on Klonopin include but are not always limited to:

• Abnormally slow action of the heart (or bradycardia)
• Agitation
• Amnesia
• Anxiety
• Blurry vision
• Coma
• Confusion
• Death
• Depression of the central nervous system
• Difficulties concentrating
• Dizziness
• Extreme drowsiness
• Extreme fatigue
• Hallucinations
• Hypotension
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of muscle tone
• Lowered blood pressure
• Memory impairment
• Mood changes
• Physical weakness
• Reduced attention span
• Respiratory depression
• Slurred speech
• Stupor
• Unresponsiveness
• Unsteady walking

Among the serious effects of Klonopin is coma and death. This risk is particularly high if you mix this drug with other addictive substances like alcohol. This is because it will increase the potency of the substances that you mixed.

Although a drug overdose involving benzodiazepines like Klonopin might not always be life-threatening, it could lead to severe outcomes. For instance, you may suffer lowered reflexes, drowsiness, and confusion - all of which could lead to death.

In case you suspect that you might be overdosing on this drug, it is recommended that you call 911 as soon as possible. You can also talk to the local poisons control center so that you get the emergency medical attention you need.

Clonazepam (Klonopin) Withdrawal Symptoms

You should not suddenly stop taking Klonopin or significantly reduce its use especially if you have already become tolerant to its effects. Doing so could lead to the development of sudden withdrawal symptoms, including but not limited to:

• Abdominal pain
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Coma
• Confusion
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Difficulties concentrating
• Difficulties with coordination
• Dizziness
• Drastic mood swings
• Drug cravings
• Fatigue
• Feeling disconnected from reality
• Feeling lightheaded
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Heart palpitations
• Hostility
• Impaired coordination
• Impaired respiration
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased body temperature
• Increased heart rate
• Insomnia
• Irregular heart rate
• Irritability
• Lack of motivation
• Mental confusion
• Muscle cramps
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea
• Nightmares
• Panic attacks
• Poor motor functions
• Profuse sweating
• Restlessness
• Seizures
• Short-term memory lapses
• Sleeplessness
• Stomach pain
• Suicidal thoughts
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Trouble feeling pleasure
• Vomiting

The Best Options for Clonazepam (Klonopin) Addiction Treatment

You can only overcome Klonopin tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, abuse, and addiction after checking into a professional addiction treatment and rehabilitation program. It is recommended that you first go through inpatient treatment especially if you have a severe substance use disorder before making the transition to an outpatient drug rehab program after your condition has been duly manage. This continuum of care could increase your chances of success from Clonazepam (Klonopin) addiction.

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