What You Need to Know About Withdrawal From Klonopin
Statistics show that 53 million Americans aged 12 and older have abused illicit drugs or misused prescription medications within the last year. That’s 19.4% of the population. Most of them use drugs to derive feelings of relaxation and temporarily escape from their struggles. Many teenagers start using drugs to impress their friends and fit in socially. Others want to experiment with the promised heightened euphoric effects of some substances. Unfortunately, others develop dependence unwillingly when using prescription drugs.
One prescription drug that can result in dependence and potential addiction is Klonopin (generic name clonazepam). After using it for some time, you may experience undesirable effects when you try quitting. If that happens, you will require professional help. Here, we cover Klonopin abuse, addiction, withdrawal, and treatment options.
What Is Klonopin?
Klonopin is a benzodiazepine commonly known as clonazepam that is prescribed to treat seizure, anxiety, and panic disorders. It’s an oral tablet that works by enhancing the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric receptors responsible for feelings of anxiety, pleasure, and relaxation. Klonopin relaxes the nervous system to decrease agitation, create some sense of calmness, and make it easier to sleep.
Klonopin Abuse and Dependence
Most Klonopin users believe they can’t get addicted to this drug since it’s a prescribed medication. However, Klonopin is only intended for short-term treatment since it presents a higher-than-average risk of dependence and tolerance. It is a Schedule IV drug under the federal Controlled Substance Act, meaning that it has well-recognized medicinal benefits but comes with a significant risk of misuse and addiction.
This drug blocks pain, anxiety, and stress receptors. So, with continued use, your body struggles to achieve a state of relaxation without it. With time, you develop tolerance, so you need a higher dose of the substance to experience similar effects. At this stage, you can no longer function properly without Klonopin. Once the drug’s effects wear off, you start to experience intense feelings of unrest, anxiety, and insomnia. As the symptoms get unbearable, you may feel tempted to take more of the drug, leading to addiction.
Some people also crush the pill and snort it to intensify the feeling. This is very dangerous and can increase the risk of an overdose. Keep in mind that manufacturers formulate the drug for intake in a particular manner. When taken orally, it undergoes digestion and is later absorbed slowly into the body in the required amounts. But once you snort the pill, you deliver a high dose of the drug directly into the bloodstream.
At the onset of addiction, Klonopin users focus on acquiring more of the drug. Some will try to forge prescriptions, get the medication from multiple doctors, and even buy illicit pills on the streets. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimated that there were tens of thousands of reports of illicit clonazepam from federal, state, and local forensic laboratories in 2017 and 2018. Note that illicitly obtained Klonopin does not usually come in the proper doses.
You could be addicted to Klonopin if you exhibit these symptoms:
• Extreme numbness
• Increased agitation
• Restlessness
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Continued use of Klonopin regardless of adverse effects
• Inability to stop using Klonopin
• Insomnia
• Using Klonopin for non-medicinal purposes
Klonopin Abuse
People abuse Klonopin by combining it with alcohol to intensify the effects. This can be deadly. Note that both Klonopin and alcohol depress the central nervous system, and when consumed together, they enhance each other’s intoxication effects. Even when you take small doses of the substances, they lead to severe drowsiness and lack of coordination, so you can easily trip and injure yourself. Even worse, they may slow your breathing and lead to coma or even a fatal overdose.
Some signs of Klonopin overdose include:
• Sedation
• Blue fingertips and lips
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
Some people take stimulants to balance the sedative effects of Klonopin. These drugs may keep you awake and give you a false sense of how much Klonopin your body can handle. Teens have a higher chance of abusing Klonopin since it’s readily available at home and cheaply obtainable from the streets. Once you notice the onset of Klonopin dependence, it’s wise to visit a treatment facility immediately. Early intervention increases the chances of successful recovery.
Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms
Whether you are taking prescription or illicit Klonopin, never attempt to quit the drug without professional supervision by a qualified doctor. When your body becomes dependent on Klonopin and you suddenly cut the dose, you experience a chemical imbalance that results in physical, emotional, and cognitive effects. If you quit the drug unsupervised, the withdrawal symptoms can be unbearable and life-threatening.
The physical symptoms include:
• Blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Lack of coordination
• Hand tremors
• Stomach pain
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Headache
• Muscle spasms
• Heart palpitations
• Seizures
• Increased body temperature
• Extreme light sensitivity
• Loss of appetite
• Troubled sleep
Psychological Symptoms
Klonopin highly affects the limbic system of the brain, which is responsible for emotional and behavioral responses. It disrupts normal feelings and behavior, so the user loses touch with reality and begins to experience artificial relief. Therefore, quitting the drug can contribute to an emotional outburst and psychological effects like:
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Delirium
• Concentration problems
• Suicidal thoughts
• Nightmares
• Confusion
• Mood swings
• Hostility
• Feelings of disconnection from reality
• Drug cravings
• Panic
• Short-term memory lapse
Rebound Anxiety
If you use Klonopin to manage anxiety, these symptoms will likely re-emerge once you stop taking the drug. The symptoms can last two to three days and are usually more severe than how they used to be before medication. The chances of relapse or giving up on withdrawal at this stage are very high. This is why you need a healthcare professional to supervise your detox. A slow tapering off can be beneficial in managing the rebound symptoms.
The doctor may also administer a longer-acting medication to reduce the intensity of the effects. Therapy remains one of the most effective way of managing rebound anxiety. Once the symptoms kick in, your counselor will advise you on the best ways to handle them to prevent relapse. With proper support, rebound withdrawal symptoms clear after a few days.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms
Based on a study, about 10% to 25% of chronic benzodiazepine users experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms for over a year after drug cessation. These symptoms include paresthesia, anxiety, and depression. Some clients also complain of muscle jerking and gastrointestinal problems.
Risks of Klonopin Withdrawal
Klonopin withdrawal may complicate underlying mental health issues. Since long-term use of clonazepam weakens the immune system, some people experience tremors and sicknesses like grand mal seizure after withdrawal. Although the seizures are rare, they can occur a few days after abrupt discontinuation of the drug use. The good thing with seeking professional assistance in cutting down Klonopin is that doctors can tell who might be affected by this issue and offer the necessary support. Here are categories of people at a higher risk of withdrawal complications.
The Aged
Drug cessation is usually very difficult for older people since they may experience delirium and confusion.
Polydrug Users
Detoxing several drugs results in different withdrawal symptoms. So, people who mix Klonopin with other drugs are at a higher risk of complications.
Expectant Women
Managing withdrawal symptoms for a heavy benzodiazepine user while pregnant poses a high risk to both the mother and the fetus. It requires attentive care and continuous monitoring.
Those With Mental Disorders
If you struggled with severe panic disorder or psychosis before Klonopin use, these issues would likely reoccur after withdrawal.
Those who Previously Experienced Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have ever experienced intense withdrawal symptoms while detoxing from another drug, you have a higher risk of complications when withdrawing from Klonopin.
Klonopin Withdrawal Timeline
Klonopin has an intermediate duration of action. You begin to feel the effects between one and four hours after taking the drug, and it stays in the body for up to 50 hours. The Klonopin withdrawal timeline varies from one client to another based on age, gender, frequency of use, amount of drug taken, weight, and health status. Here is what to expect:
First Four Days
The first withdrawal symptoms appear within one to four days after your last dose. Your mood begins to change, you experience mild anxiety, and it becomes harder to get a good night’s sleep.
Between One and Two Weeks
Withdrawal symptoms get to their peak between the first and the second week. Most people who quit on their own may experience tremors, seizures, or hallucinations.
After a Month
After a month, some days appear easier and others more challenging. The withdrawal symptoms start to subside, but you may still struggle with anxiety.
Beyond Two Months
Some people experience mild effects two to 12 months after using Klonopin.
Klonopin Detox
Despite the severity of your addiction, you can overcome Klonopin dependence with an effective treatment plan. Start by getting to a treatment facility for detoxification. Detox helps the user clear off Klonopin toxin from their body to aid in recovery. For medically assisted detox, you receive professional support to ensure that you comfortably and safely get through this phase.
The detoxification process starts with a comprehensive evaluation. Your doctor will conduct tests to understand the severity of your addiction. They will also ask questions like how long you used Klonopin, if you have any underlying issue, or if you consumed the drug alongside other substances. Answer these questions honestly to guide your doctor in developing an effective treatment plan for your needs.
Tapering Off From Klonopin
You can successfully quit Klonopin without significant withdrawal symptoms by gradually reducing the dose. The best way to taper Klonopin is in an inpatient detox treatment program. A qualified doctor will determine the most appropriate taper schedule based on your case and monitor your progress on a 24/7 basis.
For instance, for a person on a high Klonopin dose, the doctor may reduce it by 30% in the initial phase. They then reduce the amount by 10% in each of the following weeks. The doctor will administer some medicine to counter withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, for users taking Klonopin at bedtime, the doctor can initially lower the intake by 25%. The client may begin to experience insomnia from the first day of dose reduction, so the doctor may offer alternate medication or sleep hygiene techniques. If you take Klonopin during the day, the doctor can cut the initial dose by 25%, and then keep lowering it by 10% to 25% every two weeks based on how your body responds. You will receive psychological support and education regarding rebound anxiety during this time.
Long-Term Addiction Treatment
After detox, get to an inpatient or an outpatient rehab facility to address the psychological aspects of addiction and prevent relapse. Half the individuals struggling with addiction have an underlying mental health issue. The only way you regain long-term sobriety is by addressing both issues.
While in rehab, you undergo cognitive behavioral therapy, where you learn to identify and address self-destructive emotions and behaviors. Contingency management therapy motivates clients to set and achieve goals. You will learn more about your addiction and the triggers and know how to manage them even outside the rehab facility.
During counseling, you learn healthier strategies and build new habits to cope with stress and physical pain. You will also develop meaningful relationships with people who identify with what you are going through.
Even after rehab, you need an aftercare plan to keep you sober. Attend support groups and alumni program meetings to gain motivation to keep you working on recovery. If your home environment is filled with triggers, move into a sober home after rehab to safely transition into your regular life.
Regain Your Freedom From Drug Dependence Today
A combination of therapy and detox can help you overcome addiction and maintain long-term sobriety. Since the withdrawal process can be stressful, work with a professional to help manage and ease the severity of these effects. Treatment is always within reach, so get help today.
