How To Treat Klonopin Addiction

Klonopin, also known by its generic name Clonazepam, has a proven benefit for treating anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia. It’s under the benzodiazepine drug class, where its medicinal benefits last long in your system.

Once it dissolves in your blood, it will target the GABA hormones in your brain, which relaxes the function of your brain and body. This drug is highly potent and helpful in easing your tremors and panic attacks, yet a lot of users are misusing and abusing it, leading to an addiction.

Having said that, Klonopin addiction can still be treated as long as you consult with your doctor or addiction specialist for a tailored-fit recovery plan. In this article, we’re going to talk about the medications and therapies applicable for treating Klonopin Addiction. Continue reading to find out more about it.

What Are The Treatment Options For Klonopin Addiction?

Technically, there is no general treatment plan that applies to all types of addiction, so you need to consult with a doctor to get a personalized rehab program. Consequently, to gradually recover from being addicted to this drug, you need to enroll in a rehab treatment program since they have the facility and personnel to assist you in this journey.

Anyhow, here are the common treatment options you can undergo to recover from abusing this benzo.

• Medically-supervised detoxification. Almost all rehab centers can offer you a comprehensive detox program with 24/7 medical assistance to ensure your safety.
• Inpatient Rehab. This comprehensive treatment plan can last from 28 to 90 days depending on the severity of your addiction problem. In general, it includes detox, individual counseling, group therapies, a 12-step program, and community-involved activities.
• Outpatient Rehab. You will stay in your residence but you will need to religiously follow your scheduled medications and counseling. Typically, it lasts for around three hours per day, then two or four times a week of appointments.
• Extended Residential Programs. Once you’re done with your intensive inpatient treatment, you can still undergo an extended residential recovery program that will boost your confidence and sobriety. It’s an excellent method of preventing relapse and strengthening your discipline.
• Community Support Groups. These are self-help groups where members all experienced the same addiction and have gained sobriety after treatment. They can provide you with extra support and guidance to maintain your sobriety.

What are some medications used for tapering Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms?

So far, there has been no FDA-approved drug used to treat benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, aside from gradually tapering from the abused substance. Nevertheless, here are some alternative medications used for tapering Klonopin withdrawal effects and dependence. Still, you need to consult your doctor about it and avoid self-medicating yourself to avoid further complications.

• Beta-Blockers. It can be used for easing out tremors.
• Clonidine. It helps decrease your blood pressure when it rises when you cut back from using Klonopin or any benzodiazepine drugs.
• SSRI antidepressants. Used for treating anxiety disorders.
• Ondansetron. Used to alleviate vomiting and nausea.
• Anticonvulsants. Used for treating epileptic seizures.

Furthermore, here are some steps used in a study that helped patients successfully cut off from their Clonazepam dosage. It’s a 4-month process of tapering from using the substance, then followed by an 8-month monitoring period.

• Decreasing Klonopin usage by 0.5 mg for every two weeks until your dose becomes 1 mg per day.
• After, decrease your dose by 0.25 mg every week.

What are the signs of Klonopin Addiction?

Similarly, when you abuse other substances, you will feel distinct changes in your body, mind, and behavior when you experience Klonopin addiction. In the early stage of dependence, the signs will be less visible, yet as you progress towards addiction, it becomes more visible and intense.

These signs of addiction tend to become more noticeable from the people around you. When that time comes, your loved ones and friends can plan and schedule for an intervention to help you become aware of your condition. Alongside this, here are the 7 signs of Klonopin Addiction.

#1 Cravings

It’s one of the most obvious signs since your body is pretty much acquainted with the effects of this sedative drug. Due to tolerance, your system tends to intake a higher dose than before, to get the same level of effects.

Having said that, you will have uncontrolled thoughts of acquiring the substance and even make jokes about taking it in a larger dosage.

#2 Dependence

When you feel dependent on this drug, it doesn’t directly mean that you’re addicted to it since all those medicating with Klonopin experiences the same way. However, your body’s dependence on the drug’s role is one of the starting and continual symptoms of addiction.

This happens because your system doesn’t work the same way as before, due to the external function of the prescription drug. As time passes and you continue to medicate with this substance, your dependence becomes stronger.

#3 Tolerance

Tolerance and dependence may seem to be similar, yet they mean differently. When you’re medicating with this drug, there is a higher chance that your previous dose might not give you the same level of effects when you first take it. Consequently, you are persuaded to go on a higher dose to reach the same effects.

Having said that, tolerance is an evident sign of Klonopin addiction since most users want to feel the same sensation, so they consume a higher dose.

#4 Withdrawal Symptoms

If you’re addicted to this drug and you suddenly cut back, you will immediately feel its painful withdrawal symptoms. The intensity of discomfort will vary depending on how great your Klonopin addiction is. Alongside this, here are a few withdrawal symptoms from using this substance.

• Easily irritated and annoyed
• The occurrence of panic attacks
• Stomach pains
• Shaking of the body and hands
• Inability to focus on any task
• Sleeping difficulty and anxiety

#5 Low Quality of Life

When you allow your addiction to grow in you, it will gradually destroy your life. Substance use disorder will drastically change your physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral traits. Having said that, here are the common things that can happen due to addiction.

• Losing your job
• Unhealthy communication and relationship with your family
• Broken relationships with your loved one
• Quarrels with your friends and colleagues
• Unhealthy financial status

#6 Several Failed Attempts of Consuming Klonopin

If you’ve tried cutting back from using this drug, yet you’ve failed several times, then that’s an evident sign that you’re addicted to it. All things considered, you need to consult with a doctor or addiction specialist, so you can get a customized treatment plan.

#7 Secretive Behavior from Using Klonopin

Most people with klonopin addiction will display a discreet behavior when they’re hoarding supplies of the drug. Alongside this, they are pretty sensitive when they hear topics about Klonopin addiction, because they get the impression of being accused of doing it.

If you experience this sign, then you need to increase your self-awareness and convince yourself to regain sobriety by undergoing rehab treatment.

When is the right time for treating Klonopin Addiction?

Abusing this prescription drug for a longer duration will cause more damage to your system, at the same time, it will be more difficult to cut off from it. Furthermore, the withdrawal symptoms are more painful in the long-run, one major reason why you need to get treated as early as today.

All things considered, treating substance use disorder must be performed as early as possible, and you need to seek medical advice from a doctor or addiction specialist.