Clonazepam Abuse Detox Process
There are different ways to approach detoxification and each treatment facility may have its own regime meanwhile, each case of addiction is unique and the way one individual needs to be treated can differ significantly from another. For example, some patients may be required to taper down their consumption of clonazepam prior to commencing detox some may be provided with medication to assist with withdrawal. If you are considering going through clonazepam detoxification, make sure you understand as fully as possible the process ahead of you, in consultation with the doctor/s who will be assisting you.
What Drug Are You Using
Your drug of choice does matter when it comes to addiction development. It isnt the only factor involved, but it does play a role. Abuse potential varies even within Klonopins drug class. This benzodiazepine class includes Klonopin, Xanax, Valium and Ativan. These are brand names for clonazepam, alprazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam. They are just a few of many benzodiazepines. Each one has its own potentially addictive effects and side effects.
CNS Drugs found that these drugs can be, identified according to their abuse potential: very high abuse potential high abuse potential intermediate abuse potential and low abuse potential .1
Klonopin may not fall into the high abuse potential category, but use still involves risk. This intermediate-risk also jumps dramatically if you use Klonopin in conjunction with other drugs or alcohol.
What Is It Like To Detox Off Clonazepam Cold Turkey
Truth be told, you dont want to know what its like to detox from this addictive drug cold turkey. Its just too painful, unpleasant, and dangerous. This is why professional detoxification is recommended if you want to quit. With medical detox, you will put the withdrawal process in the hands of trained addiction experts. They are skilled at making the process safe and comfortable.
During medical detox, you will be monitored and evaluated at a treatment facility or detoxification center by qualified staff members. You will be given medications that will ensure your comfort and safety. Plus, you will be in a safe, secure environment that will support ongoing abstinence.
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Whats The Difference Between Klonopin And Xanax
Like other benzos, Clonazepam and Xanax both have a similar effect on the body. These are among the most commonly abused benzos. Theyre both CNS depressants that interact with the neurotransmitter GABA. They both reduce symptoms of anxiety. And, both produce a calming effect that can help the body slow down a bit.
Despite their similarities, though, theyre generally prescribed to treat different conditions. Klonopin, for instance, is mostly used to combat panic attacks and seizures. Xanax, on the other hand, is primarily used to treat anxiety. However, both medications are often prescribed by doctors to treat insomnia.
Also, these drugs affect the body differently in terms of half-life. Xanax is fast-acting. It is released into the bloodstream almost immediately. And, the body starts to push it out of your system in about one to two hours. The medicines effects are intense and short-lived. Usually, the drug starts to wear off in about four to six hours.
Klonopin is slower acting than Xanax and it is not as powerful. It requires more time for the drug to take effect because the half-life is greater. This means it takes about four hours for the body to start processing it out of your system. As a result, the lingering effects of the drug are much longer. Users say they feel drugged for up to 12 hours.
How Old Are You
Age matters when it comes to addiction development. Using drugs like Klonopin when youre young puts you at risk for addiction then and later.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine explains, Frontal lobe morphology, connectivity, and functioning are still in the process of maturation during adolescence and young adulthood, and early exposure to substance use is another significant factor in the development of addiction.2
This is a fancy way of saying when youre young, your brain is still growing. It is making new and important connections. Using drugs like Klonopin interrupts this process. It makes you more vulnerable to addiction at the time. It leaves you at greater risk for addiction later. If you are young or used drugs when you were young, you may develop Klonopin addiction faster than other people.
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Therapy For Clonazepam Addiction
Therapy lies at the heart of all addiction treatment, as only therapy can both reveal and address the fundamental psychological causes of addiction: detoxification can remove the immediate pressures of dependence, but the underlying drivers to consume clonazepam are likely to remain without therapy. Addiction therapy comes in a huge variety of approaches and formats, and is provided both one-to-one and in group settings.
How To Safely Taper Off Klonopin
To treat Klonopin addiction, treatment specialists generally administer clonazepam one to three times per day, depending on the severity of the substance use disorder. Withdrawal symptoms are monitored during the first three days of treatment, and vital signs are observed every eight hours.
Low-risk clients can benefit from general treatment with a withdrawal program, while high-risk clients require constant monitoring at residential or outpatient treatment centers.
If the client is hospitalized, health care professionals should reduce the drug dosage by 10 percent each day. Outpatient clients should have their dose tapered by 10 percent every three to five days. Tapering may be slowed if the client develops insomnia or depression.
A 2015 report published in the journal Australian Prescriber found that gradually reducing benzodiazepine doses while receiving psychotherapy was more efficient than using dose reduction therapy alone.
However, the report referred to a Cochrane review that revealed only moderate evidence supporting the theory that joint cognitive behavioral therapy and drug tapering produced better results than those of tapering alone.
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What Are The Risks Of Clonazepam Addiction
Clonazepam is a highly potent benzodiazepine and central nervous system depressant which decreases abnormal activity within the brain. It has a half-life of 6 hours, and 0.5 mg of the medication is roughly equivalent to 20 mg of Valium.
Chronic misuse of Clonazepam can lead to addiction, which can easily lead to overdose, as the body will rapidly build up a tolerance to the drugs psychoactive effects, like euphoria, while more slowly building up a tolerance to the physical effects, such as respiratory depression. In 2013, 31% of prescription drug overdoses in the United States were due to benzodiazepines like Clonazepam.
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Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. This evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are designed to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. Please be aware that this evaluation is not a substitute for advice from a medical doctor.
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Klonopin Dependence Vs Addiction
Klonopin is a sedative that decreases electrical activity in the brain, making it an effective treatment for epilepsy and anxiety. While it can cause both dependency and addiction, its important to note the difference between the two.
A physical dependence occurs when the brain and body become used to the presence of a substance, meaning that stopping drug use can cause a shock to the system. Because Klonopin can create a physical dependence after just two weeks of daily use, many individuals who take it as prescribed will form a dependence and experience withdrawal symptoms if they miss a dose. Doctors are aware of this and will help patients lower the dosage safely when its time to stop taking it.
Addiction is a step above and includes a psychological dependence as well as a physical one. A person with addiction will continue taking the drug even if they know that taking it is harmful to them. They may seek Klonopin in high doses even though they clearly see the negative impact the drug has on their life.
In general, there are two ways that individuals find themselves abusing or addicted to Klonopin:
Psychological Symptoms Of Klonopin Addiction
The earliest sign of Klonopin addiction or misuse is becoming focused on obtaining the drug. Many individuals with substance use disorder will neglect their responsibilities in other areas of their lives in order to focus on their addiction.
Other common signs include feeling as if you cannot sleep or calm down without it. In addition, some individuals may begin to mix Klonopin with other substances in order to increase their effects.
The signs of Klonopin addiction vary from person to person. However, there are common symptoms to watch out for as well as behaviors that may indicate the presence of an addiction.
The common behavioral signs of Klonopin addiction include, but are not limited to:
- Doing worse at work or in school
- Abandoning favorite hobbies
- Using the drug even though you see the negative effects it has on your life
- Feeling like you need the drug to function
- Struggling to cut back usage, even if ordered to by a doctor
When an individual misuses Klonopin over a long period of time, the substance may damage memory functions as well as lasting damage to the brain. The more frequently the medication is misused, the more dependent the brain becomes. As a result, the damage may be more difficult to reverse over time.
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The Two Phases Of Clonazepam Withdrawal
Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is the first phase. This lasts from five days to two weeks. During this period, symptoms will be the most unpleasant and even dangerous. Make no mistake about it. You can experience seizures and other health complications when you stop taking this drug. This is why you should never stop taking it without medical supervision.
Post-Acute Withdrawal is the second phase. This can last anywhere from two weeks to as long as six months. Yes, it can take that long to completely stabilize after prolonged use of this drug. However, with time, symptoms continue to decrease in severity.
One of the most common results of stopping the use of Clonazepam is extreme anxiety. This is because the medication stops the brain from producing its own natural anxiety-inhibitors. It takes a while to start producing them again in the absence of a tranquilizer. This feeling of panic often drives users to return to the drug to relieve their anxiety.
How To Prevent Klonopin Addiction
While its easy to simply advise not taking Klonopin recreationally to avoid addiction, some people do need the drug for legitimate medical reasons. And those people with a prescription are also at risk for dependence and abuse/addiction.
Long-term use may result in the patient increasing their dose over and over to manage their symptoms and it may also result in a worsening of the original condition the drug was meant to treat.11 This may result in an increasing physical and psychological dependence of the drug. Careful, short-term use of Klonopin may prevent abuse and addiction.
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Warning Signs Of Addiction
Clonazepam abuse can be difficult to identify in some cases, especially in those who have a prescription for it. Abusers of the drug have been known to acquire multiple prescriptions for it from different doctors. Others purchase it illegally or abuse a friends or family members prescription. Signs of abuse and addiction in people with a standard prescription include taking higher doses or more frequent doses than recommended by their physicians. Taking clonazepam with alcohol to enhance its effects is another sign of a problem.
Fact:
Abusers of clonazepam tend to take the medication with other substances, and abuse rates for the medication are higher in people who use cocaine or heroin.
Abuse or long-term use of clonazepam can cause some people to lose confidence in themselves and in their abilities to manage their lives without medication.Physical dependence is common in people who take benzodiazepines regularly. This dependence is evident when withdrawal symptoms occur after ceasing use of the drugs. Having a physical dependence does not mean a person is addicted to the medication.
Clonazepam addiction treatment can help reverse these psychological symptoms of dependence.The withdrawal symptoms experienced by people coming off clonazepam depend on multiple factors, such as the dosage level and the frequency and length of use. Abrupt discontinuation of benzodiazepines can intensify these symptoms and is generally discouraged by medical professionals.
Grand Mal Seizure Risk
Klonopin withdrawal can lead to several dangerous medical events, such as grand mal seizures. These grand mal seizures, which tend to occur by day 10 after abrupt discontinuation, can come out of nowhere, with no earlier signs of withdrawal. While they are rare, doctors are not always able to predict who might be affected.
Some people are at increased risk of withdrawal complications:
To improve your chances of success, it is important for you to develop a detox and withdrawal plan. Experts at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , advise starting with inpatient detox treatment or making a commitment to stay in contact with your primary care doctor.
This can be a challenge for some people. Inpatient treatment programs can be very expensive and arent always covered by insurance. Most people have access to a primary care doctor or health clinic that can help them develop a taper schedule, but you really have to be committed to the process.
This can be hard for people without the time or ability to make multiple office visits. Ideally, tapering involves visiting your doctor at least once per week and following up with phone calls in between.
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What Is Clonazepam Addiction
Clonazepam addiction is a condition whereby individuals repeatedly consume clonazepam despite being aware of the negative consequences of doing so. It is often driven by physical dependence to clonazepam: the state whereby the system of someone using clonazepam becomes accustomed to a certain level of the drug and adjusts accordingly, with abnormal function resulting from a cessation of use of clonazepam until the affected individuals system is able to readjust to the absence of the drug.
Coping & Relief For Klonopin Withdrawal
The best way to successfully quit Klonopin is to follow a slow tapering schedule. Tapering, which means gradually reducing your dose over time, is also the best way of preventing severe withdrawal symptoms.
Its tempting to want to quit cold turkey as soon as you find the motivation or desire to do so, but its in your best interest to resist this temptation. In fact, the longer you draw out your Klonopin taper, the less likely you are to experience any withdrawal symptoms at all.
Tapering your Klonopin dose is a way of tricking your body into thinking its not in withdrawal. It is not an exact science, which means your tapering schedule should be updated as you go along. You will need to work closely with a doctor who can adjust your dose every few days or weeks, as necessary.
If your withdrawal symptoms become too much to handle, your doctor can slow down the taper and even increase your dose. The dose reductions are so small though, that you may not even notice them after the first couple of weeks.
If you are currently in Klonopin withdrawal, there are a few things you can do to find relief. First and foremost is to find the help of a professional. Other ways to reduce your discomfort and make withdrawal easier include the following:
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Celeb Stevie Nicks Talks About Klonopin Addiction
Take a lesson from Fleetwood Macs lead singer Stevie Nicks. She calls Klonopin a horrible, dangerous drug that is deadlier than coke. In case you didnt know, Nicks was once hopelessly addicted to cocaine. Ironically, she was prescribed this medication from a psychiatrist who recommended that she use it to stay away from coke.
Nicks said Clonazepam made her feel as if somebody opened up a door and pushed me into hell. She also told Newsweek in 2011, What started happening was that if I didnt take it, my hands started to shake. Thankfully, Nicks is now completely drug-free.
In this 2001 video, Nicks talks about her addiction to Klonopin:
Staying Sober After Addiction To Klonopin
If detox and treatment sound right for you, look into joining a creditable rehab center in your area. If you need help finding adequate therapy for you or your loved ones addiction, Prevail Intervention can guide you. Call our 24/7 free addiction and mental health Helpline. Here, our caring professionals can answer any questions for you and try to match you with good treatment programs you qualify for.
Getting sober from the abuse of pills requires time, commitment, and your willingness to put in the work to overcome the past negative habits. However, it is possible. People from all walks of life get sober and stay sober from drugs like Klonopin. You simply have to be ready to work with yourself and with the help of those who care to see you recover and live a drug-free, healthy life.
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Changing The Timeframe Of Klonopin Addiction
If you are worried about Klonopin addiction, forget about the days, weeks or years of use involved. Think about how Klonopin affects your life or the life of a loved one. If it creates problems, its time to stop using. Call Black Bear Lodge for a free addiction assessment at . We can help you determine your best next steps. We can put you in touch with our caring, experienced professionals and programs.
We offer integrated, holistic care to ensure you leave treatment in mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Recovery is about more than no longer using a drug. It is about creating an enjoyable, rewarding life. It is never too early or too late to begin. Reach out to us today.
