Klonopin Addiction

Klonopin is one brand name for clonazepam, a medication in the benzodiazepine class of tranquilisers. It is commonly prescribed to treat various anxiety disorders and certain conditions producing frequent seizures, including epilepsy; it is a relaxant of the central nervous system and produces pronounced feelings of relaxation, well-being and euphoria alongside its medically intended effects – and as a result is often used (and abused) recreationally, meaning that there is a significant market for the drug outside the parameters of prescription.

As with other benzodiazepines, it is highly addictive, and its long-term use presents serious risks to users’ mental and physical health. In the UK it is a class C controlled substance; due to the aforementioned illicit market for the drug (with many users and suppliers procuring Klonopin from the dark web) it has a number of street names including K-pin; K (not to be confused with ketamine); Pin; Super Valium; and Boost. It is also available under a wide range of other brand names (including Rivotril and Linotril) as generic versions are produced in many countries around the world.

Effects Of Klonopin Addiction

As noted above, Klonopin is highly addictive and its use can result in dependency within a matter of weeks; as a result, doctors manage and monitor Klonopin use carefully, and many Klonopin addicts go “prescription shopping” from one doctor to another to ensure their consumption of Klonopin is not threatened by concerned physicians.

Along with the euphoria and sense of well-being Klonopin produces, it has a number of less desirable effects including pronounce lethargy and drowsiness, and impaired motor skills, which can be very dangerous when driving or operating machinery. In the long term, Klonopin abuse can have seriously detrimental effects on the user’s physical and mental health (see below for details).

Alongside these health implications, Klonopin addiction can be catastrophic in financial terms – especially if the user is resorting to procuring Klonopin from the dark web at potentially high rates, and/or if their professional life is impacted (possibly including the loss of a job) by the effects of their drug abuse – and significant debt and even destitution can result. Klonopin addicts may also suffer extreme social isolation – with implications for their mental and emotional health – because of the impact their addiction may have on relationships with loved ones and friends.

Signs And Symptoms Of Abuse

Someone who uses Klonopin in sufficient doses or regularly enough for it to constitute abuse is likely frequently to appear intoxicated, with loss of motor control, slurring words, and possibly regularly dozing off (although it is important to note that many Klonopin addicts do succeed in masking their abuse for quite some time, even indefinitely). They may regularly miss appointments and are also likely regularly to be late for work, and/or take time off, due to their drug abuse.

Over the longer term, Klonopin abuse can have cataclysmic effects on neurological health: protracted use can cause serious cognitive impairment, while certain dementia-related illnesses may be bought on and/or accelerated. A long-term Klonopin user might experience sporadic bouts of confusion and disorientation, and it is not unknown for hallucinations to manifest. Major depressive disorder can be a consequence both of the direct effects of Klonopin on the brain and of the impact of drug addiction on the addict’s life and outlook on the world.

Klonopin addicts are also at risk of overdose, which unfortunately often proves fatal: anyone overdosing from Klonopin requires immediate medical attention. Signs of overdose include impaired breathing; a loss of muscle control and strength; hypotension; unconsciousness and possibly coma. Long-term Klonopin users are also at risk of dying when drinking even a relatively small amount of alcohol; Klonopin can prove fatal when combined with other substances including alcohol and certain other prescription drugs.

Clonazepam Withdrawal And Detoxification Process

As with any benzodiazepines, Klonopin abuse can result in a physical dependence as well as psychological addiction, and serious withdrawal symptoms may manifest when the user stops taking Klonopin. While the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms will vary from one user to the next depending on a number of factors including the length of the addiction, the dosages consumed, and the physiology of the addict, it is vital to bear in mind that (along with alcohol) benzodiazepines are the only drug whose withdrawal symptoms can be fatal by themselves even to an otherwise healthy individual.

Because of this, withdrawal should never be attempted without medical assistance. A number of “at-home detox” kits are marketed online but doctors strongly advise against attempting detoxification and withdrawal alone; despite this advice, unfortunately, a number of people die each year from trying to detox by themselves.

On the other hand, a great many Klonopin addicts have benefited from residential rehabilitation (“rehab”) at least partly because rehab invariably begins with a medically assisted detox, with medical professionals available 24/7 to monitor the addict’s health and intervene as and when necessary, as well as being able on occasion to ameliorate the worst effects of withdrawal to maximise their comfort.

Klonopin Detox Timeline

As discussed above, the precise effects of withdrawal and consequent symptoms can vary quite significantly from one addict to the next. Because of this, it is impossible to give a timeline for withdrawal which will apply exactly to every addict’s experience. However, if you are addicted to Klonopin, a rough guide to withdrawal might look as follows:

1-2 days: Around a day after the last dose anxiety and irritability – and possibly aggression – may begin to manifest, along with muscle spasms, restlessness and possible nausea. You are likely to be in a very low mood; cravings will begin to seize you increasingly frequently.
2-5 days: The main phase of withdrawal is likely to include extreme restlessness; wildly fluctuating moods; nausea and indigestion; sweating; and insomnia. You may experience hallucinations. Cravings will be constant and intense.
5-14 days: Although withdrawal symptoms will begin to fade in intensity after around five days any or all of the above symptoms may still occur. Sleep probably continue to be disrupted. Cravings will be less frequent and intense. A profound depression may set in.
After a fortnight or so symptoms should have disappeared. However, they may persist as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) which is likely to require therapy to address the most problematic symptoms, especially depression.

Treating Klonopin Addiction

Over the last few decades, as benzodiazepine addiction has become an increasingly prominent problem, a great many different approaches to treatment have been developed. Some of these are not endorsed by the medical profession – indeed, as noted above, some options exist which can be extremely dangerous for the addict – while others may not be appropriate for every user. It is vital that you consult your GP if you are suffering from a Klonopin addiction before embarking on any course of treatment.

In general, there is a consensus that rehab is the most effective approach to addiction treatment and the one most likely to result in permanent recovery. The combination of medically assisted detox and on-site therapy in a secluded relaxed environment represents a holistic approach to treatment which no other option can replicate. A number of support groups including Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have been established worldwide providing help for recovering addicts, and attendance at such groups should form part of your long-term recovery plan; however, support groups such as NA do not themselves comprise treatment for your addiction, but are more a supplement to your recovery.

Detox & Rehab Benefits

Some of the advantages to rehab include:

Medically assisted detox with medical professionals at hand 24/7 to ensure your safety and to ameliorate the worst effects of withdrawal.
An attractive, secluded, and tranquil environment within which you can focus on your recovery without the temptations of the outside world.
Complete confidentiality to reassure you that details of your condition will not become common knowledge outside the facility.
Highly experienced, non-judgemental, hugely qualified staff at hand to help you through the key stages of your recovery process.
A variety of therapy models enabling you to uncover the causes of your addiction and address them in a manner that most suits your requirements.
A peer group of fellow recovering addicts who understand your experiences and can share support and advice.
Bespoke fitness and dietary plans to give you the healthiest foundation for recovery.
One year’s free aftercare to ensure you have the necessary support long after you leave the facility.

What Now?

Any addiction can prove hugely distressing to the addict and can have permanent consequences for their life prospects and for their relationships with loved ones, friends, colleagues and others. If you are struggling with an addiction to Klonopin, you may feel a profound despair – especially if you have tried previously, and failed, to overcome your addiction.

However, you are not alone: help is at hand. Over the past few decades, as the abuse of benzodiazepines has become an increasingly widespread problem around the world, the medical community has developed significant expertise in dealing with addiction to these drugs, and that expertise can begin to be at your disposal within moments if you are ready to take the first key step and reach out for help. Our addiction specialists are waiting for you to get in touch and begin to turn your life around: call us today and take that first step on the road back to happiness.