Klonopin is a prescription benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, panic attacks and seizures. It has a risk of dependency when taken long-term or in larger doses than prescribed. When someone stops taking Klonopin after being on it for an extended period, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as: nausea, anxiety, insomnia and headaches. Talk with your doctor about how to safely discontinue the medication if you have been using Klonopin for longer than two months.
An individual who has become dependent on Klonopin treatment may want to enter treatment for klonopin addiction. This is one of the most commonly abused benzodiazepines in the US, and treatment for klonopin addiction is important because it can help reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms that are associated with treatment for klonopin addiction.
Benzodiazepines are a class of drug that includes Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Halcion, Clonazepam (Klonopin), Niravam, Restoril, Tranxene. They are sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety or chronic pain due to health conditions such as migraines or cancer treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Klonopin addiction
When taking Klonopin, a patient may show signs of addiction. These symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting or dry mouth and a lack of saliva.
- Stomach pain or constipation.
- Blurred vision, loss of coordination, slurred speech, poor concentration and memory lapses.
- Muscle twitches or seizures that vary from mild to severe depending on the dosage consumed.
- Lack of energy or extreme fatigue with no explanation for this sudden change in sleep patterns.
- Inability to recognize loved ones such as family members and friends can be an indicator that someone is addicted to Klonopin as they cannot accurately recall familiar faces.
- A bad or metallic taste in the mouth may occur due to a lack of saliva. This is one way to tell if someone has been taking this medication without a prescription from their doctor.
- Victims may have diminished interest in sex and be unable to perform sexually.
- Constantly needing more Klonopin, escalating consumption or developing a tolerance to the drug. Tolerance is an indication of addiction. It means that the patient needs higher doses of Klonopin to achieve results or they cannot get relief from their anxiety with smaller doses.
- Increased sensitivity to noise and light when taking higher doses of this medication.
- People who take Klonopin often drink more liquor than they did before beginning treatment with the drug, according to SAMHSA’s DAWN report. Alcohol is another sedative used in combination with Klonopin to treat anxiety, but it only worsens the side effects and has a devastating impact on a person’s health.
Why do this happen?
Klonopin tolerance develops when it is taken over an extended period of time and the brain stops producing GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid), which is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate anxiety. When the body stops making GABA, it creates an imbalance of neurotransmitters that may cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, insomnia and headaches when you stop taking the drug.
What Does Withdrawal Mean?
Klonopin is a drug that many people take long term to manage their anxiety. While there are other drugs that can be used, Klonopin works for some people and it’s important to know the risks of withdrawal when deciding if you want to stop taking this medication.
There are three stages of withdrawal: one week, two weeks and four weeks post-withdrawal from Klonopin. Many who experience these symptoms report feeling like they have the flu or terrible hangover with nausea and vomiting, tremors and shakiness in their hands or legs, increased sensitivity to light or sound including ringing in the ears (tinnitus), insomnia/excessive sleepiness during daytime hours, agitation/restlessness which may include angry outbursts, increased anxiety and irritability. Some people feel like they are having a stroke or heart attack which can lead to panic attacks. The symptoms can last for two weeks to four weeks; however the patient will experience these symptoms for up to six months if their GABA levels remain low after treatment.
What to Expect During the Withdrawal Phase
You may be in the process of tapering off or withdrawing from Klonopin due to an addiction, adverse effects, or other reasons. This blog post will provide you with information about what to expect during this time period. The withdrawal phase is often thought of as the most difficult part of the drug cycle and can cause many uncomfortable symptoms for people who are adjusting to life without their medication.
- The first week and a half: The patient may experience any of the following symptoms: anxiety, irritability, lack of motivation to do anything for themselves including showering and grooming or caring for their basic needs, increased need to use bathroom facilities more frequently than normal.
- Two weeks post withdrawal from klonopin: Patients might be mildly to moderately depressed, with some showing signs of mild anxiety.
- May be agitated or irritable
- May have insomnia or sleep excessively
- May experience loss of appetite and weight loss, nausea and vomiting
Signs and Symptoms of Withdrawal from Klonopin
Klonopin is a drug used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and seizures. When people stop using this drug after taking it for not too long of a period of time, they may suffer from some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can seem very similar to those that are caused by other drugs or substances with addictive potential. Withdrawal symptoms can lead to depression, anxiety or discomfort.
Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms associated with klonopin use include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Anxiety and tension
- Restlessness or nervousness
- Seizures that are not caused by another condition (such as epilepsy)
- A lack of energy
- Moodiness
- Paranoia
- Poor coordination of movement
Some of these symptoms may last for a few days or up to several weeks. The more severe symptoms will typically pass first. In the case of some serious medical conditions, such as seizures, it is important to seek immediate help from a medical professional. Withdrawal symptoms that are very dangerous include heart attack, stroke, seizure and death. It is important to know when it is time to seek professional help since these symptoms can seem quite serious but are not always so.
What Not to Expect During klonopin Withdrawal
There are some Klonopin withdrawal symptoms that you can expect to learn about when getting treatment for your addiction. There are also some parts of the detox that are unpleasant but will not be dangerous or last long. While everyone is different, these are some of the most common experiences during the first few days to weeks of klonopin withdrawal.
The first few days of treatment, you will probably notice a decrease in anxiety and other withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to not having the drug. This is a good sign but also a signal that things are going to get worse before they get better. Withdrawal from klonopin works similarly to alcohol withdrawal, so you may have a few days of clarity and relief followed by a couple of weeks where the symptoms seem to get worse before they begin to improve. Expect many withdrawal symptoms from klonopin to continue for at least 1-2 months, but every individual experiences it differently.
Methods of Treatment for Withdrawal from Klonopin
There are many different treatments for klonopin withdrawal that you can choose from. The best method of treatment will depend on the severity of your addiction, how long you have been taking Klonopin, and whether or not you have other medical conditions or are currently taking any other medications
There are several different methods of treatment for klonopin addiction. Some may not be readily available to you or even applicable and the choice of method will depend on your situation and personal preferences. The following is a list of treatments that have been used by people who have experienced withdrawal from klonopin:
Stage 1: Symptoms are at their worst. You are likely to experience confusion, trouble sleeping or insomnia, muscle aches, stomach cramps/nausea, sweating, headache and trembling/shaking.
Stage 2: Symptoms begin to improve but you may still have trouble with sleep. Clonopin withdrawal symptoms peak at this point for most people.
Stage 3: This is when most of the symptoms are gone, but it can take up to 6 weeks for all of them to go away
Some withdrawal symptoms from klonopin are more common than others, especially during the first few days after quitting the drug. Not everyone will experience these symptoms and you may not even notice them.
Important Things to Remember About Withdrawal from Klonopin
You are going to have bad days, but there is hope. Withdrawal from klonopin can be tough, but it is temporary. This will not last forever and you deserve the chance to live your life again without having this drug controlling everything that you do. There are people who are experiencing exactly what you are feeling right now and have found a way to take back control of their lives. Try to remember that the anxiety will not last forever, so try your best to tough it out until the worst is over. There are things you can do to help yourself get through this time. Self-care is important so try doing nice things for yourself like taking baths or listening to music, or exercise can help keep your mind busy. Staying active is important for helping with mental function during withdrawal from klonopin.
Remember that you are not alone. There are people who have been in your exact situation before and have found a way to take control of their lives again. You deserve the chance to live your life without klonopin taking over. If you are having trouble coping with your withdrawal symptoms, consider contacting a professional or reaching out to people who have experienced the same thing. It is not easy getting clean and sober, but there are many support groups that can help you through this tough time.
Serious Symptoms and Side Effects
The more serious withdrawal symptoms or side effects from klonopin are likely to occur when you first stop taking the drug. They generally fade away after a few days, but can last up to several weeks. These serious side effects include:
- Severe Anxiety: This is the most common and severe side effect of withdrawal from klonopin. Some people experience panic attacks. Severe anxiety can be managed with self-care skills and medications like benzodiazepine receptor agonists (e.g., clonazepam).
- Paranoia: This occurs when you feel like others are trying to hurt you or take advantage of you. If you feel paranoid, talk to someone about it and ask for their help.
- Hallucinations: Hallucinations occur when the brain experiences sensory stimuli that appear to be real but doesn’t actually exist (e.g., seeing things that aren’t really there). If you experience hallucinations, contact a medical professional. You need medical help for this because it can also be a symptom of something more serious like schizophrenia.
- Seizures: If you have been taking klonopin for a while, sudden discontinuation can cause seizures in some people. This side effect is not very common and the risk goes down over time. If you do experience seizures, it is important to call 911 right away or see a medical professional.
You can reduce your risk of experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms by tapering off klonopin very slowly under the supervision of a health care provider who can watch for signs and symptoms that may suggest that you need more medication or a different medication.
Klonopin and the risk of addiction is very high. This drug has a higher potential for abuse than most other medications used to treat panic disorder or seizures, including Ativan (lorazepam), Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and others.
Recovering from Klonopin Addiction
The most effective way to recover from addiction is to enter a treatment program that consists of therapy and medication (if necessary). For example, cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of talk therapy can help you discover the root cause of your drug use and develop ways to deal with triggers. Benzodiazepine receptor agonists like clonazepam can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. If you have mental health issues like depression or anxiety, these need to be treated as well because they can lead you to using drugs to feel better.
If you want a chance at a life free of drug addiction, then entering a treatment program is the best place to start. With time and effort, you can feel better and enjoy the things that make life worthwhile.
How You Can Benefit from Detoxing from Klonopin
Klonopin is a drug with many side effects when taken for longer periods. Common symptoms of taking the drug are weight gain, dry mouth, loss of memory, poor cognition and coordination problems. It can also lead to severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures and hallucinations if the person abruptly stops taking it. If you or someone you know takes this drug, consider the side effects and symptoms associated with it before you continue. Withdrawal from drugs like klonopin should be done under medical supervision so that serious complications can be avoided.
On the Road to Recovery from Klonopin Addiction
Treatment for addiction can vary from one person to another. In some cases, withdrawal from the drug may be all that is needed if their situation allows it. In other instances, a combination of medication and therapy will be used to help the person overcome his or her addiction. Professional detoxing services ensure that you or a loved one has the best chance at a successful recovery. If you are struggling to overcome your addiction, contact us today for more information on how we can help you begin your journey towards sobriety.
