Klonopin, Abuse And Addiction, Side Effects, Withdrawal, Overdose & Detox Timeline

What Is Klonopin?

Klonopin (Clonazepam) It is an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic type of drug. It is used to prevent and control seizures and panic attacks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, warns that taking Clonazepam can be addictive. Also, users may become physically and psychologically dependent on the drug. Therefore, a person should not attempt to quit cold turkey on their own due to the dangerous side effects or withdrawal.

Clonazepam detox can be potentially fatal and requires medical treatment and supervision. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), during the 7 years from 2005 to 2011, almost a million (an estimated 943,032) emergency department (ED) visits involved benzodiazepines alone or in combination with opioid pain relievers or alcohol and no other substances.

If a person is suffering from Klonopin addiction, they will experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and anxiety. These symptoms develop because the brain and other body systems have become chemically dependent on the drugs to function normally, is highly recommended to take the Klonopin detox process with medical help. Some people abuse the drug for its sedative effects, providing a false sense of relief. Moreover, it takes as little as 3 weeks to develop a dependence on Clonazepam. When this happens, the user needs to keep taking the drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Even when taken as prescribed, Clonazepam and other benzodiazepines can produce withdrawal symptoms after only 2-3 weeks of use. Chronic abuse of these medications increases the likelihood that you could experience severe withdrawal syndrome. Because withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and challenging to manage alone, you should consider entering a detox program. Clonazepam detox is a treatment process for people who are suffering from acute intoxication and withdrawal.

Klonopin Abuse Statistics

• Over 75,000 people were admitted to the emergency room in 2011 due to complications caused by Clonazepam.
• There were approximately 60,000 admissions to treatment centers in 2008 for addiction to Benzodiazepines such as Clonazepam.
• Fifteen percent of Americans have a bottle of some type of Benzodiazepine in their medicine cabinet.

Clonazepam Indications

Clonazepam is an approved medication to treat the following disorders:

Given the various use of Clonazepam in treating the above-mentioned disorders, this drug is prone to abuse. Moreover, an individual may develop tolerance to this drug after long-term use. Those who have already developed an addiction to other substances will likely develop an addiction to Clonazepam as well, leading to its abuse.

Klonopin Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Infrequent Side Effects

Klonopin Withdrawal

A person who will need a Clonazepam detox is usually physically and psychologically dependent or addicted to it. Dependence means that the body has become accustomed to the presence of the drug. Therefore, an individual needs to keep using it to feel normal to prevent Clonazepam withdrawal effects.

Over time, a person can also build up a tolerance, which means they need to use more of the substance to achieve the same effects. The severity of withdrawal depends on several factors, including drug dependency, the time frame of use, and psychological state. Withdrawal symptoms can last up to 90 days. Trying to suddenly quit or reduce the doses you are taking will commonly result in withdrawal. 

Some of the symptoms associated with Klonopin withdrawal are:

Common Klonopin Drug Combinations

Polydrug use is common among Clonazepam users hoping to mask or amplify the drug’s effects. Some people take Cocaine or other Stimulants to counteract the sedative effects of Clonazepam. Others may take alcohol to enhance Clonazepam’s calming effects, whether it’s for the sake of trying to sleep or getting a better high. The worst consequence of combining Clonazepam with other drugs, especially CNS depressants like alcohol, is a fatal overdose. In combination, alcohol and Clonazepam can slow down a person’s central nervous system to the point where they stop breathing entirely.

Taking Cocaine may help users stay awake, but it may also give them a false sense of how much Clonazepam they can handle. Cocaine wears off faster than Clonazepam, causing the user to take more than intended. This could lead to overdose, causing severe complications like coma, seizures, and death.

Klonopin Overdose

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that benzodiazepines, including Clonazepam, were involved in 17 percent of opioid overdose deaths between 1999 and 2006. For the most part, Clonazepam and other benzodiazepines are abused alongside opioids, alcohol, or both because they enhance the relaxing euphoria and take the edge off withdrawal symptoms. 

Mixing drugs increases the risk of overdose since the mixture typically increases the potency of all the drugs involved; especially with a high-dose, long-acting drug-like Clonazepam, overdose becomes very likely.

Clonazepam has been mixed with alcohol, opioid drugs, and even methadone to enhance the potency of these drugs. However, even benzodiazepines alone have a high risk for abuse, and people who have a history of substance abuse and addiction are at a greater risk of developing an addiction to Clonazepam due to the GABA receptors’ changes to the brain’s reward system. If a person with a history of substance abuse receives a prescription for Clonazepam, their doctor should carefully monitor them for any symptoms of addiction.

Signs & Symptoms of Klonopin Overdose

The severity of these symptoms can vary, depending on many of the same factors that affect their metabolism. However, they are much more likely to be life-threatening if Klonopin was taken in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

Klonopin Detox Timeline

Days 1-3

The first signs during Clonazepam Detox, appear one to three days after the last dose. commonly known as withdrawal. Mild anxiety and other mood changes start becoming noticeable. It may also be harder to fall asleep or get a full night’s rest.

Days 7-14

Withdrawal symptoms from Clonazepam Detox start to peak in one to two weeks from the last dose. Anxiety and irritability are typical during this time. Also, those who quit cold turkey may experience intense body tremors, hallucinations, or seizures.

Weeks 3-4

Withdrawal symptoms start to fade in three to four weeks. It is still common to have symptoms like anxiety during this time. Some days may be harder than others, but the worst of Withdrawal is usually over at this point.

Months 2+

Mild withdrawal symptoms are still possible up to three months after the Clonazepam detox recovery. Also, those with severe addictions are most likely to continue having noticeable symptoms. Tapering down a user’s Clonazepam dosage can prevent prolonged symptoms.

As the first step in the recovery process, Clonazepam detox helps the person quit using the drug as safely as possible. In addition, as the body clears the substance, a supervised detox program can help better manage the physical and psychological consequences of withdrawal.

The Dangers Of Detoxing At Home

Klonopin Detox at home is can be harmful, considering the risk of Klonopin withdrawal. If an individual develops withdrawal complications such as seizures, depression, anxiety, or other mental health symptoms, they will not have immediate access to necessary medical care. Additionally, if a person is unable to tolerate withdrawal symptoms, he or she may relapse, which only continues the cycle of addiction.

In general, one may not experience withdrawal symptoms from long-acting benzodiazepines such as Clonazepam for up to a week after they stop using. Withdrawal symptoms tend to increase and peak during the second week, and then decrease substantially during the third and fourth weeks. The length of detox can vary from person to person. 

It depends on several factors such as dose, length of use, whether a person uses other substances, and unique physical makeup. In particular, you may have a higher chance of suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures and delirium, if you have taken high doses of Klonopin over a long period. Klonopin detox must be supervised by a quality medical and clinical team.

Medically-Assisted Klonopin Detox

Long-time users of Klonopin and those who use the drug together with other types of drugs will likely experience a wide array of withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit. A substitute drug may help lessen the impact of withdrawal. However, this should be carefully monitored by doctors to ensure safety.

Generally, a gradual reduction may be the safest way to withdraw from Klonopin. However, this procedure is not always appropriate. Doctors often suggest rapid detoxification. In addition, rapid detoxification is done by abruptly ceasing the use of Klonopin to prevent the onset of withdrawals. Doctors typically use a selective benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, which affects the same receptors as Klonopin but minus the same withdrawals.

Overcoming Klonopin addiction can be achieved via a successful Klonopin detox procedure. Further treatment should be undertaken to address the effects of Klonopin addiction. Moreover, medically supervised detox increases the likelihood of a successful transition to rehab. Rehabs facilitate a safe and supportive environment for those recovering from addiction.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) are forms of therapy that may help clients to completely overcome Klonopin addiction. Furthermore, these sessions help identify the cause of addiction and teach skills on how to avoid triggers and stressors of your addiction.

Reclaim Your Life From Klonopin Abuse & Addiction

Klonopin addiction is a chronic disease that can cause major health, social, and economic problems that should not be taken lightly. We Level Up California can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from this condition with a professional and safe detox process. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this condition by giving you relevant information. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.