Because this drug is available by prescription, people are surprised to hear that treatment is often necessary to stop taking it. They tend to think that because their doctors recommended it, that makes it safe. But the fact is that its status as a prescription drug makes it even more potentially dangerous.
Klonopin has become one of the most commonly prescribed medications on the market. Those who take it should be aware of its addictive properties, but many are not. In fact, there are those who abuse it without any thought to the consequences. But people can become addicted to it even when they take it appropriately for a long period of time.
We want people to know more about the dangers of Klonopin and what can happen when it is abused. It is possible to get addicted to it fairly quickly, and once people do, they need to know how to recover. We would like to take this opportunity to cover the dangers of this drug and where to turn for help getting off it.
Klonopin became available in the United States in 1997. When it was first released, it was designed to treat epileptic seizures and panic disorders. But additional uses for the drug were found that included:
Klonopin is classified as a benzodiazepine, which is a class of drugs that was created to replace barbiturates. Benzos can be very effective, but they are also over-prescribed. Although this drug can be effective, it should not be taken long-term.
A Klonopin addiction always begins with Klonopin abuse, but most people never really intend to get addicted to this powerful drug. Instead, they intend to treat their symptoms, not realizing that they’re building up a tolerance to it. Whether dosages are increased by the doctor, or people choose to increase the amounts they take on their own, an addiction to Klonopin can form after just one month of use. Using Klonopin can result in an incredible high that quickly dissolves into intense feelings of relaxation. Some Klonopin addiction symptoms to look for include:
Klonopin addiction behaviors can be very unsettling, whether you’re experiencing them yourself, or you’re observing them in someone else. If you are noticing behavioral swings from euphoria to anxiety and even paralysis, you safely suspect that an addiction has formed.
Most insurance companies will cover 100% of the cost. We also help with financing. Call Now.
Verify InsuranceWhile Klonopin addiction behaviors might be unsettling, they’re usually enough to cause anyone to quit taking the drug cold turkey without consulting a doctor or any type of Klonopin addiction treatment center. However, doing so can result in serious Klonopin withdrawal symptoms, and many of these symptoms either cause people to return to their drug use, or result in a need for medical attention.
Some of these Klonopin withdrawal symptoms may include:
These withdrawal symptoms are good cause for alarm, but they can often be avoided if you’re careful to get a professional’s advice about how you should quit taking Klonopin.
Most people who abuse Klonopin do not realize they are. It typically starts by increasing how much they take at one time as a way to manage their symptoms. Changing their dose is easier than talking with their doctors, and they get the relief they are looking for. But there are others who abuse it recreationally because they like how it makes them feel.
In October 2019, a man’s home was broken into by another man who was high on drugs. The burglar told police officers that he had only broken into the house because he thought it was his own. But he was not alone, and he and his partner tried to break in again a short while later.
Police officers said that he admitted to taking more than the amount of Klonopin he was prescribed. He was also high on dabs at the time. Combining substances is never a good idea. But when a benzodiazepine is used along with THC, it can result in hallucinations and erratic behaviors.
Our country is still in the middle of a devastating opioid epidemic. But while that has all been taking place, doctors are still prescribing benzodiazepines in ever-increasing numbers. Many experts believe that they are over-prescribed and that we now have a benzo epidemic on our hands. To make matters worse, people are being prescribed both types of drugs at the same time.
Dr. Chinazo Cunningham is an internist and a professor of family and social medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She states, “It’s not just one substance, here. The focus has been on opioids but we need to expand the way that we’re thinking about it. I think many of us feel that if we don’t turn our attention toward benzodiazepines, if we ignore this pattern that we’re beginning to see, we may very well find ourselves in the same position that we have with opioids.”
It may be too late. A study that was done by Idaho State University showed that 25% of chronic opioid users were using unsafe combinations of prescription drugs. Many of them also took benzodiazepines. And worse – 56% of them were written by the same doctor.
Benzodiazepine drugs like Klonopin are dangerous, and they do lead to addictions. But fortunately, help is available to assist people in stopping them.
Many people find that they’ve been prescribed Klonopin in increasing doses because they’ve built up a tolerance to it over a short period of time. As a result, they’ve become addicted, either because of Klonopin abuse, or simply because their brains have become accustomed to its effects. Tapered dosages may be recommended at first, and going to drug detox is always a good idea just to be sure your body is able to eliminate those toxins in the most efficient way possible.
Once you’ve gone through drug detox, and you’re no longer taking even the smallest dose of this medication, going to a Klonopin addiction treatment center can help you understand why you became addicted to Klonopin in the first place. It is so important to get to the root of this addiction so that you can heal from it. Research has demonstrated that when the proper steps are taken to recover from an addiction to medications like Klonopin, success rates are much higher.
At Northpoint Recovery, we have worked with many people who suffered from Klonopin addictions. We are well aware of the dangers of benzodiazepines and how to help people stop taking them safely.
We are located in Boise, Idaho and we offer inpatient treatment that includes both detox and rehab. Our goal is to treat both sides of the addiction, which helps us give our patients a much better chance of recovering.
Anyone who is addicted to benzodiazepines should go through both detox and rehab during recovery. It is important to treat both the physical and the psychological aspects of the addiction.
Detoxing is a way to help the body get rid of toxins, and it can also help to control withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening, so this is a step that should not be skipped. It may take a week to ten days to get through drug detox.
Afterwards, our patients move on to rehab where they learn more about themselves and their drug use. If they suffer from co-occurring disorders or cross addictions, we offer treatment for them as well.
At Northpoint Recovery, nothing is as important to us as our patients’ success during recovery. We work with many people who are addicted to Klonopin. They often think that getting off the drug will be impossible. But we are happy to show them that with the right support, they can be drug-free.
Do you have questions about Klonopin abuse or addiction that you would like to have answered? Would you like to know more about our detox and rehab program? Please contact us today.
Our admissions coordinators are here to help you get started with treatment the right way. They'll verify your health insurance, help set up travel arrangements, and make sure your transition into treatment is smooth and hassle-free.
Verify Insurance