Klonopin Addiction And Abuse
A question we get frequently asked is regarding the Klonopin high. What does a Klonopin high feel like? The Klonopin high refers to a sensation of euphoria, similar to cocaine or other drugs, that can easily lead to addiction. Street use of benzodiazepines is not uncommon due to this intoxicating side effect. Healthcare workers report that the Klonopin high, like any other drug-induced euphoria can be a heavy-hitting factor in addiction. Benzodiazepines are commonly used as street-drug substitutes to get high when other drugs are not available.
A ten-year study done on postmortem adolescents showed that benzodiazepines were found present nearly twice as often as all other drugs combined, excluding THC, in accidental drug overdose deaths.68
Klonopin alternative therapies can only put you ahead, not behind as these treatments dont carry side effect risks, addiction issues, or withdrawal symptoms. Our purpose is to identify, address, and resolve the underlying causes of anxiety, instead of temporarily masking them with medication.
Natural Supplements You Can Use To Manage Anxiety
Despite their therapeutic benefits, benzos are highly addictive drugs that should be handled with care. Prolonged use can lead to physical and psychological dependence, even for those who use the medications as directed.
These habit-form drugs are usually prescribed for short-term treatment lasting no longer than two weeks. But even that is enough time for someone to develop a dependence and possibly an addiction to them. Once a person is hooked, it can be rather difficult to end benzo use on ones own. Many seek professional help to achieve this.
For this reason and others, some people may be interested in using natural medicines to benzos. We advise that you check with your doctor before using any over-the-counter medications or supplements. We also want to remind you that any information shared here is not intended to replace the advice and care of a medical professional.
Other Medications For Anxiety
There are other medications used for clinically significant anxiety that may not have the same abuse potential as Valium.
For instance, some antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Prozac and Zoloft , have been used in the treatment of anxiety successfully. The medication BuSpar may also be useful in treating certain types of anxiety, and it does not have the same abuse potential as Valium.
Though these medications may not be significant medications of abuse, they still may produce mild withdrawal symptoms if an individual discontinues them on their own.
They should only be used under the supervision of a physician and not for reasons other than their prescribed purposes.
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Seek Dual Diagnosis Treatment At Washburn House
All too often, anxiety and substance use go hand in hand. If youre struggling with both, its important to seek treatment at a dual diagnosis treatment center that can help you manage both disorders. At Washburn House, we offer a range of evidence-based treatment services that are designed to help you heal from both anxiety and addiction. Well work with you to create a treatment plan that addresses your unique challenges. Our dual diagnosis treatment center can treat a range of substance use disorders, including:
- Alcohol addiction
Serious Mental Effects When Abused
Xanax was designed as an anxiety and panic disorder treatment alongside cognitive behavioral therapy. Taking this benzodiazepine by itself can alleviate short-term symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, or insomnia, but it will not manage these conditions overall.
Because Xanax quickly affects how the brain functions, many people begin to take the drug too often. They feel like they need it to avoid suffering.
Short-term mental effects: Because Xanax leads to feeling sedated, mental effects may include forgetfulness, sleepiness, slowed thinking, and trouble learning. Paradoxical insomnia may be a symptom of taking Xanax more than a few days in a row. Lightheadedness and daytime drowsiness are also common side effects of taking this drug, even if you take it as prescribed. A two-week study in which participants took 0.5 mg of Xanax did not find significant changes in memory in the short term, but memory loss is possible in the long term.
Long-term mental effects: There are few long-term studies on the risks of chronic Xanax abuse and memory loss, but if the drug works on the brain in a similar pattern as alcohol, periods of intoxication may lead to blackouts, during which memories do not move from short-term to long-term storage.
Among those who took the drug consistently for more than six months, the risk rose to a shocking 84 percent.
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Common Varieties Of Anxiety Disorder:
- Generalized anxiety disorder This disorder is the most common, and is characterized by severe and ongoing anxiety that often interferes with daily life. Those with GAD will constantly worry about a number of different things, including interpersonal relationships, financial security, physical health, their work life and a wide variety of other common issues. GAD can be easily treated with a combination of medicinal and holistic treatment options, and it affects an estimated 3 million American adults on an annual basis.
- Panic disorder Those with panic disorder will experience frequent panic attacks at unexpected times. These attacks can be brought on by specific situations or by nothing at all. Brief periods of intense fear are coupled with physical symptoms like chest pains, shortness of breath and trouble breathing, heart palpitations, stomach problems and dizziness or light-headedness . Panic disorder is often treated with prescription medication.
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Alternatives To Benzodiazepines For Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are treatable. However, as awareness of benzo addiction becomes more commonplace, substitutes for anxiety treatment are being considered more often. Some alternatives to Xanax and other benzos for anxiety treatment include lifestyle changes, non-benzo prescriptions, over-the-counter remedies, and psychotherapy.
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What Are Safer Alternatives For Treating Insomnia
When it comes to treating insomnia, nonbenzodiazepine sedatives, also known as Z-drugs, like Lunesta, Ambien, and Sonata are used by millions of people in the U.S. and have been aggressively marketed as both safer and more effective than benzodiazepines.
However, while benzodiazepine use does carry a greater risk than using Lunesta, they share many dangers. Non-benzo sedatives have both abuse and addiction potential and are also not meant for long-term use for the same reasons as benzodiazepines.
In fact, although overwhelmingly perceived as the safer and more efficient form of sleep medication by both doctors and patients, sedatives like Ambien and Lunesta are actually nearly just as dangerous as benzos while also often extremely ineffective at inducing sleep. Recent medical research has even compared Z-drugs to having a placebo effect more than any actual benefits.
Even with antihistamines, there is still the same danger of oversedation, and, much like with anxiety, the safest alternatives for treating insomnia do not involve medication. Someone can instead try actively adopting good sleep hygiene and identifying potential causative factors contributing to insomnia, such as dietary issues and possible environmental factors.
People who are looking for safe alternatives to treating insomnia can also likewise benefit from regular exercise, yoga, practicing meditation and mindfulness, and use natural supplements like melatonin or valerian.
What Are Signs I Might Be Addicted To My Anxiety Medicine
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, common signs that you might be addicted to your anxiety medication include:8
- Taking your anxiety medicine for longer than intended.
- Taking your anxiety medicine more often or in larger doses than prescribed.
- Spending a considerable amount of time getting your anxiety medicine, using it, and recovering from its side effects.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after the effects of your anxiety medicine wear off.
- Needing larger doses of your anxiety medicine to achieve the same results.
- Experiencing impaired performance at school, home, or work due to the effects of your anxiety medication.
- Trying to quit or control your use of anxiety medication but failing.
- Experiencing strong cravings for your anxiety medicine.
If you think you might be addicted to your anxiety medication, you should speak with your doctor immediately.
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Medication Alternatives To Benzodiazepines For Anxiety And Sleep
Severe anxiety is debilitating and may interfere with daily life. As a result, medication is needed. However, benzodiazepine is not the only option. While various medications effectively treat anxiety and sleep issues, the two most common include antidepressants and sedatives.
- Antidepressants Antidepressants effectively treat generalized anxiety and depression without the risk of addiction to benzos. SSRIs such as Zoloft are effective but take a week to start working. As a result, you may need something else the first week.
- Sedatives Medications such as antihistamines and Ramelteon have sedative effects which can reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
Herbal Alternatives To Xanax
These herbal remedies have been used for centuries as both sleep aids and to bring about a state of relaxation.
But of all the naturally relaxing herbs, two are standouts for anxiety.
Kava
Kava is a traditional relaxing tea thats been an important part of South Pacific culture for thousands of years.
Its also available as an over-the-counter herbal remedy for anxiety, stress, and insomnia in the US and many other parts of the world.
Kava is a well-studied herbal remedy that has been found to be a safe and effective alternative to prescription drugs for anxiety without the side effects of benzodiazepines.
Like many other relaxing herbal remedies, it works, at least in part, by increasing GABA.
One study pitted kava against two popular anti-anxiety drugs and found that kava worked as well as either of them.
You may come across warnings that kava can cause liver damage, but this an unfounded, overblown fear.
The US National Institutes of Health reports that the risk of liver damage from taking a kava supplement is less than one in one million.
This makes it dramatically safer than Xanax and most other prescription drugs.
However, if you have any liver problems, we suggest you err on the side of caution and skip taking kava.
Gotu Kola
Gotu kola is a Chinese herb whose name means fountain of youth.
Traditionally, it has been used to treat anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue.
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Influence Of Toxins And Heavy Metals On Anxiety Symptoms
We have routinely found on lab testing that accumulated neurotoxins are present where anxiety or other psychiatric symptoms led to a prescription of benzodiazepines.
These toxins can have significant impacts on endocrine gland functioning which may result in hormonal imbalances, adrenal burnout, and cortisol elevation. Many psychiatric symptoms have been linked to toxic exposures, including ionizing radiation, pesticides, nerve gases, heavy metals, solvents, and chemicals in food and cleaning products.4
Toxins may safely be removed using gentle chelation and other cleansing methods.
We find that in most instances of over-stimulation, the individual has acquired an accumulation of neurotoxins that remain stored in the body. These can be from contact with heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals in air/water/cleaning products, etc. There are literally thousands of other chemicals that are added to processed food and hygiene products. Toxins accumulate in fatty tissues, where they can remain for a long time. Our biotransformational sauna program uses a combination of supplements to change these fat-soluble toxins into a water-soluble form, which can then be safely transported out of the body through the sweat and other normal excretion channels.
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Common Anxiety Signs And Symptoms
- Feeling tense, restless, or nervous
- Having a sense of impending doom, danger, or panic
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly or hyperventilation
- Social, recreational, or occupational activities given up or destroyed due to drug use
- Continued drug use despite knowledge of damaging physical or psychological consequences
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Supplements Used As Klonopin Alternatives
Our Klonopin alternatives programs are largely based on the premise that the least harmful treatment for anxiety and related symptoms resides in proper nutrition, and correct supplementation, and elimination of harmful, invasive prescription medications. Daneshzad et als 2020 study published in the Journal of Science and Agriculture showed a clear relationship between diet and the prevalence or absence of mental disorders. Diet correction including targeted supplementation is a powerful, proven tool for natural mental health.55
We would encourage anyone with an interest in learning more about specific supplements to explore the table given in Danashzad et als 2020 research, cited above.
Ativan Alternatives: What Can I Take Instead Of Ativan
Compare Ativan alternatives | Valium | Xanax | Buspirone | Seroquel | Benadryl | Natural alternatives | How to switch meds
Ativan is a brand-name prescription medication used for the short-term management of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, other anxiety disorders and phobias, insomnia, or as an immediate emergency treatment for status epilepticus, nausea and vomiting, serotonin syndrome, and alcohol withdrawal. Ativan is also usedto induce sedation before medical procedures or anesthesia. Ativan is a popular choice for a sedative-anxiolytic in an inpatient setting due to its rapid intravenous onset of action and relatively straightforward side effect profile.
Lorazepam, the active ingredient in Ativan, belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines that work by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid , a neurotransmitter that slows down nerve activity in the brain and causes drowsiness. Ativan is taken orally for anxiety or insomnia. For seizure relief and procedural sedation, it is administered as an injection by a healthcare professional. Benzos are controlled substances and must be prescribed by a healthcare provider with an active DEA license.
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Contact The Alternative To Meds Center
Our goal is to provide the pathway to long-term relief and sustainable success for clients. Our scientific, evidence-based methods have helped thousands discontinue medications and become naturally mentally healthy.
Please call to find out more about how Alternative to Meds Center can provide you or your loved one with the best help available in our residential Klonopin alternatives treatment program.
1. FDA label Klonopin 2017 Oct
2. Schmitz A. Benzodiazepine use, misuse, and abuse: A review. Ment Health Clin. 2016 May 6 6:120-126. doi: 10.9740/mhc.2016.05.120. PMID: 29955458 PMCID: PMC6007645.
3. Servant D. Traitement non médicamenteux des troubles anxieux . Rev Prat. 2019 Nov 69:985-987. French. PMID: 32237617.
4. Brown JS Jr. Psychiatric issues in toxic exposures. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2007 Dec 30:837-54. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2007.07.004. PMID: 17938048.
67. Matos LC, Machado JP, Monteiro FJ, Greten HJ. Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapeutics: An Overview of the Basics and Clinical Applications. Healthcare . 2021 Mar 1 9:257. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9030257. PMID: 33804485 PMCID: PMC8000828.
Originally Published Oct 30, 2018 by Diane Ridaeus
Toxicity And Drug Interactions
When used alone, benzodiazepines carry an extremely low risk of acute toxicity. However, benzodiazepines often are used with other types of medications, including other drugs with abuse potential, and these drugs can enhance the toxic effects of benzodiazepines. The latter interact synergistically with other central nervous system depressants, including other hypnotics, sedating antidepressants, neuroleptics, anticonvulsants, antihistamines and alcohol.8 Fatal overdoses in addicted patients often involve the combination of benzodiazepines and alcohol, with or without opiates. In addition, pharmacokinetic drug interactions may occur. For instance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may increase diazepam blood levels,9 and nefazadone may increase alprazolam levels10 through hepatic enzyme inhibition, leading to increased sedative-hypnotic effects or side effects.
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Therapy And Counseling: Alternatives To Benzodiazepines For Sleep And Anxiety
People struggling with daily anxiety often stay up at night with thoughts racing through their minds. This lack of sleep adds more stress and increases anxiety. Psychotherapy or individual therapy is a crucial alternative to benzodiazepines for sleep and anxiety.
Having a trusted therapist listen to your thoughts and feelings surrounding anxiety helps build the tools needed to overcome these feelings. A few therapies are effective alternatives to benzodiazepines and include:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy A therapist helps identify situations that bring feelings of anxiety and fear. Then together, you develop the tools to replace anxiety with positive thoughts and feelings.
- Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy works by tapping into your subconscious. The hypnotherapist uses positive affirmations and visuals to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
The Importance Of Non
For many years, benzodiazepines have been widely prescribed to treat forms of anxiety disorders and panic disorders. The rate of prescribing benzos like Xanax , Valium , Klonopin , and Ativan is in the millions per year.
However, benzos are habit-forming substances and can cause physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and other long-term side effects.
Benzodiazepines are usually not meant for long-term anxiety treatment. Safer alternatives to benzodiazepines are important, serving as long-term anxiolytics with lower risks of substance abuse and dependence.
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Benzodiazepines Are Prescribed To Help Treat Anxiety
Benzodiazepines, a class of potent medications that depress the central nervous system so that users can relax, are often prescribed to help people get a handle on these issues. About 2,000 benzos have been produced, and only about 15 have been FDA-approved in the U.S., according to WebMD. Valium , Xanax , and Klonopin are among the ones that are most widely used.
In addition to anxiety and insomnia, these medications, known as benzos, sedatives, and tranquilizers, also help with seizures and even severe alcohol withdrawal.
Benzodiazepines enhance the functioning of a naturally-occurring neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-Aminobutyric acid , which is responsible for reducing activity in the central nervous system.
Benzos can also be short-acting, intermediate, or long-acting, making them a flexible type of medication for various conditions.
Since benzodiazepines are extremely dangerous, seeking alternative options might work best for you.
