When used as directed for a legitimate medical or mental health concern, Klonopin can be extremely beneficial. When it is misused, either in an attempt to self-medicate or for recreational purposes, the outcomes can include Klonopin addiction, overdose, and even death.
If your or a loved one are struggling, our drug rehab in Atlanta, Georgia can help. Call us now at 678-325-7250 or verify your insurance now.
What Is Klonopin?
Klonopin is the brand name of clonazepam, which is a prescription medication that is most commonly used to treat anxiety, panic disorder, and seizures.
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. Commonly referred to as benzos, drugs in this category slow the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain and throughout the rest of the central nervous system. Other frequently prescribed benzos include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan).
Klonopin’s effects include improved mood, an easing of anxiety, and an overall sense of relaxation.
While these effects can be quite valuable to people who have certain medical or mental health concerns, they also make Klonopin a popular recreational substance. Some people abuse Klonopin by itself, while others combine it with other drugs, usually opioids or alcohol.
Klonopin Abuse Statistics
Klonopin abuse can expose a person to considerable harm, a risk that increases when the individual is also using alcohol or opioids:
- In 2022 alone, the National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA) recorded 10,964 overdose deaths that involved Klonopin or other benzos.
- NIDA reported that about 70% of these overdose deaths also involved fentanyl or other opioids.
- According to a cross-sectional study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, alcohol was involved in about 16.3% of all benzo overdose deaths between 2000-2019.
In addition to the risk of overdose and death, people who abuse Klonopin may also experience:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
- Memory problems
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Agitation and irritability
- Unintentional weight gain
- Injuries due to impaired coordination or judgement
- Addiction
Signs of Klonopin Abuse
Sometimes, people confuse substance abuse with addiction. It’s important to understand the distinction between these terms:
- Substance abuse is a behavior, such as misusing a drug to self-medicate or simply for a recreational high.
- Addiction is a disease. It is characterized by powerful compulsions to use a substance as well as an inability to stop.
Many cases of Klonopin addiction begin with Klonopin abuse. If you suspect that someone you know has been abusing this medication, look for signs such as:
- Dramatic changes in mood, attitude, and energy level
- Confusion
- Extreme drowsiness
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Impaired coordination or unsteadiness
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Sexual dysfunction
- Excessive urination
Symptoms of Klonopin Addiction
If someone in your life has developed Klonopin addiction, they may exhibit several or all of the following signs:
- Lying about their symptoms in order to get additional prescriptions for Klonopin
- Buying, borrowing, or stealing Klonopin that was prescribed to someone else
- Failing to meet their responsibilities at home, in school, and/or at work as a result of their Klonopin use
- Using Klonopin in ways that are especially dangerous, such as combining it with alcohol and opioids
- No longer participating in hobbies, sports, or other activities that used to be important to them
- Continuing to use Klonopin even after they have incurred some type of harm – such as health problems, job loss, or the end of a relationship – as a result of prior use
- Being deceptive or misleading about how they have been spending their time or who they have been associating with
- Needing to use larger amounts of Klonopin to achieve the effects they used to experience with smaller doses (which is known as developing tolerance)
- Experiencing physical or psychological distress when they try to stop using Klonopin, or when they are prevented from using it (which is known as having withdrawal symptoms)
- Wanting to stop using Klonopin, but being unable to do so
The good news about Klonopin addiction is that it is a treatable condition. The bad news is that people who need, but don’t get, appropriate care may be unable to escape the downward spiral of compulsive Klonopin abuse.
Treatment Options for Klonopin Addiction
Rehab for Klonopin addiction can occur at multiple levels, and may involve a wide range of therapies and support services.
Level-of-care options for Klonopin addiction include:
- Detoxification
- Residential Treatment
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Within these programs, a person’s customized treatment plan may include elements such as:
- Psychiatry
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Family Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Red Light Therapy
An ideal course of treatment can vary considerably from one person to the next, depending on a variety of individual factors. This is why it is so important to find a provider that will fully assess your needs, then develop a personalized plan just for you.
Begin Klonopin Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
Untreated Klonopin addiction can have a devastating impact on virtually all parts of your life. But when you get the help you need, you can end your compulsive use of this drug for good.
Peachtree Recovery Solutions is a trusted source of personalized outpatient care for adults who have become addicted to Klonopin and other benzodiazepines. At our Klonopin addiction treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, you can receive personalized care at the partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.