Klonopin, which is the brand name for Clonazepam, is a reasonably potent benzodiazepine that is long-acting. As per the Drug Enforcement Administration, Clonazepam and other benzodiazepines are classified as Schedule IV controlled substances. This implies that they have a lower potential for getting misused than those drugs that are on Schedules I, II, and III.
Prescribed Clonazepam or Klonopin is an oral tablet that has got approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of panic disorders and seizures. But it can also be prescribed off-label for treatment of other conditions such as acute mania, sleeping issues, and irregular face and body movements.
Similar to other benzodiazepines, Klonopin also works to inhibit the excitation within your brain by working together with and allowing the action of the inhibiting neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid as its receptors. Simply put, Klonopin calms the overexcited nervous system, resulting in products like anti-convulsants and anxiolytics.
How addictive is Klonopin?
Klonopin possesses addiction potential, and those people with a family history of substance use issues are at high risk of getting Klonopin addiction. Benzodiazepines are most commonly misused either for increasing their effects like opioids or alcohol or for mitigation of unrequired substance effects such as a comedown or any crash from the use of stimulants. So, it is widespread for people who are addicted to Klonopin to suffer because of addiction to other substances. Much research has indicated that people who are engaged in the use of polysubstance take high doses of benzodiazepines.
One of the significant reasons why benzodiazepines like Klonopin are highly addictive is they can lead to physiological dependence, which means someone might experience withdrawa when they make an attempt to quit it. In some people, withdrawal symptoms are very severe and are the same as serious psychiatric or any other neurological issues such as schizophrenia or seizure disorders.
Klonopin also enhances the activity of dopamine, which is a brain chemical associated with motivation, rewards, and pleasure, and it is believed that it rewards or reinforces the consistent use of substances.
Different signs of Klonopin addiction
- Use of Klonopin in higher doses and for more extended periods than intended
- Expression of desire or making efforts to cut back or stop the use of Klonopin
- Spending a lot of time and making an effort to obtain, utilize and recuperate from Klonopin
- Having a consistent and strong desire to make use of Klonopin
- Consistent use leads to failing to carry out other responsibilities
- Regular use of Klonopin, even after its constant negative effect on the person’s social interactions and other relationships.
- Showing withdrawal symptoms when stopped or reduced use of Klonopin
Risk of Klonopin addiction
Have a look at some of the main risks associated with Klonopin addiction:
- ·High tolerance: with time, a person’s body develops a high tolerance to Klonopin increases, meaning that they have to take a higher dose for the same effect. This enhances the risk of overdose and side effects in association with Klonopin.
- ·Physical dependency: When used regularly, a person’s body becomes dependent on Klonopin. This implies that when someone stops taking the drug all of a sudden, they will experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, seizures, and insomnia.
- Strong addiction: Klonopin is highly addictive, especially for those people who have a history of drug abuse or addiction. This addiction triggers several adverse effects, from impaired judgment to decreased social functioning and financial issues along with problems at home, office, or school.
- Mental health issues: When Klonopin is used on a long-term basis, it enhances the risk of various mental health issues such as major depressive disorder or suicidal ideation.
- Reduced cognitive functioning: Klonopin addiction can cause impaired cognitive functioning and results in loss of memory, decreased span of attention, and difficulty concentrating.
- Interacts with other addictive substances: Klonopin interacts with other addictive substances like opioids and enhances the risk of overdose or any other adverse effects.
Treatment for Klonopin Addiction
People often believe that they can easily overcome klonopin addiction alone, but in reality, it is pretty challenging to treat and has several health risks because of withdrawal symptoms. This is the reason why a proper evaluation by any addiction treatment professional is strongly recommended before making any attempts to treat on one’s own. A lot of people who are struggling because of Klonopin addiction and other substance abuse disorders get immense help by enrolling in some Klonopin detox programs.
In the initial phase of the treatment, a person is most likely to go through a detox program, which involves decreasing the dosage to avoid and managing any dangerous withdrawal symptoms. At the beginning of this program, it is required to communicate the dosage, number of times, and the timeline of clonazepam use to make sure that one is getting the necessary level of care.
Moreover, several other medications are also prescribed for alleviating all withdrawal symptoms in association with stopping the use of Klonopin. On completion of the sedating detox program, the psychological part of Klonopin addiction is addressed along with continuing addiction treatment, either through inpatient rehab facilities or outpatient programs.
In general, Klonopin treatment involves counseling or therapies aiming at assisting people in understanding the factors that drove their addictions. In addition, mental health treatment also works for planning measures for the future to enhance coping skills and prohibit continuous abuse of Klonopin. The whole treatment lasts from 28 to 30 days to sometimes 90 days based on the addiction severity along with the needs of the patient both physically and mentally.
So, if you or your loved one is addicted to some benzo, such as Klonopin, then you can seek assistance and start your recovery at any of the addiction treatment centers. They will offer various intensive treatment programs that will assist you in combating addiction. Some of the treatment programs include
- Psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Counselling both individual and group
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Aftercare
- Adventurous therapy
When a person is ready to move beyond Kloponin addiction, a good treatment center can assist in Klonopin detox.
