Klonopin is the brand name for a drug called clonazepam, which belongs to the benzodiazepine class of chemicals. The drug is used for a variety of medicinal purposes, including as a sleep aid and to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It is in a broad class of psychoactive substances known as central nervous system depressants along with barbiturates and alcohol.
Depressants work by managing excitability in the nervous system in a way that suppresses activity. Most depressants achieve this by interacting with a naturally occurring chemical called gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is responsible for regulating excitability in the nervous system. However, people who have anxiety or a sleep disorder may have something biological or psychological that is preventing your brain from achieving balanced chemistry.
Klonopin and other benzodiazepines can help correct this imbalance by binding to GABA receptors and increasing the effectiveness of GABA. Benzodiazepines like Klonopin are usually prescribed for short-term therapeutic use, or they are prescribed off and on as needed.
Long-term use of this medication can result in chemical dependence or addiction. Klonopin is designed to be used to correct imbalances, so the drug is administered on a specific schedule where it is introduced, and then users are slowly weaned off it. Taking it to treat symptoms in the long term can lead to dependence.
Benzodiazepines like Klonopin can also be abused by people who are looking for an alcohol-like intoxication. When the drug is taken in a high dose, it can cause sedation, euphoria, and a release of inhibitions. High doses can also lead to an overdose where breathing is slowed, and you become heavily sedated. However, fatal Klonopin overdoses are rare when the drug is used on its own, but it may be more likely if alcohol or other depressants are also involved.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that Klonopin and other benzodiazepines can lead to withdrawal symptoms, dependence, and severe substance use disorders, especially in addiction-prone patients. But how do you know how much Klonopin is too much for you? Learn more about Klonopin and how you can know if you’re taking too much for your health and safety.
Signs of Klonopin Addiction
Klonopin can start to cause a substance use disorder after heavy or frequent use, but you may develop a problem quickly, especially if you’re not paying attention to the signs. Catching a substance use problem early can help you to avoid some of the most severe consequences like health problems, financial issues, or strained relationships.
However, it’s important to note that even severe substance use disorders can be treated. Substance use disorders typically start with a pattern of drug abuse, which means you are using the drug more than directed, using the drug longer than intended, or using the drug to get high. Abuse is much more likely to result in a substance use problem than prescribed use. Still, it’s possible for some people to start to develop a dependence on Klonopin after only taking prescribed doses.
Chemical dependence occurs when your body starts to become used to the chemical in your system. The first sign of a developing dependence is tolerance. If you start to become tolerant of Klonopin, you may start to feel like your normal dose is less effective than it used to be. In reality, your brain may just be adapting to the chemical in your nervous system and balancing your brain chemistry around it. If you continue to use or increase the dosage, you may become chemically dependent on the drug.
Dependence is when your brain is not just tolerant of the drug; it begins to rely on it. Human brains are adaptable, and it will adapt your brain chemistry to Klonopin by integrating it into your normal brain chemistry. You may stop producing more of your own excitatory chemicals and stop producing inhibitory chemicals.
If you become physically dependent, you may start to experience withdrawal symptoms when you cut back or stop using Klonopin. Like other depressants, withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous if you stop using them abruptly.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms Can Include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Hallucinations
- Stomach pain
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Seizures
In some cases, Klonopin withdrawal can cause a serious medical condition called delirium tremens, which is characterized by sudden and severe confusion, panic, anxiety, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Without medical attention, delirium tremens can be deadly. If you or someone you know is experiencing Klonopin withdrawal symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention from a hospital or detox facility as soon as possible.
Addiction is officially diagnosed as a severe substance use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5, and it’s characterized by compulsive drug use despite serious consequences. Addiction can affect your mental and physical well-being, your social life, your career, and it can cause legal issues.
If Klonopin use has led to problems in any of these areas and you still can’t manage to stop, you might be addicted. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain. In many cases, people who are addicted don’t realize their substance use has become a problem. But in some cases, you may know your drug use has become a problem and still find it difficult to quit.
Signs of a Klonopin Overdose
High doses of Klonopin can potentially lead to a dangerous overdose. As a depressant, Klonopin suppresses the nervous system, and in high doses, it can even suppress important functions.
Depending on your size, age, and what the drug is prescribed for, a standard dose should be between 0.5 and 1 milligram. Doses between 2 and 3 milligrams can be less effective for therapeutic purposes and may start to cause adverse effects like drowsiness, lowered inhibitions, dizziness, loss of motor control, and heavy sedation.
At this level, it will be dangerous to operate a car or other heavy machinery. Plus, falls can lead to potentially serious injuries. Doses higher than 4 milligrams can be potentially dangerous and can lead to an overdose. A Klonopin overdose can cause the following symptoms:
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Coma
- Slow reflexes
- Slowed breathing
On its own, Klonopin rarely leads to fatal overdoses, especially with medical treatment. However, it is possible with very high doses. Either way, if you start to experience these symptoms, you should speak to a medical professional immediately.
Klonopin is more likely to cause a fatal overdose when it’s combined with other benzodiazepines, alcohol, or opioids. When these drugs are combined, they may potentiate each other, which means they can intensify their effects. Your breathing may be slowed to the point of oxygen deprivation, brain, damage, coma, or death.
Treatment for Klonopin Addiction
If you have experienced a Klonopin overdose, ask yourself questions like how much Klonopin is safe to take. If you are worried that you might have developed a substance use disorder (SUD), the need for help is crucial to your survival. It may sound dramatic, but a clonazepam overdose is a sign you’ve taken it too far, especially if you’re wondering things like, “what is a high dose of Klonopin?” These questions point toward a serious problem that requires addiction treatment.
These Klonopin warning signs all mean the same thing—there’s a need for help. If left untreated, it could lead to Klonopin death by overdose. Depending on how you access your drugs, we’ve witnessed a significant influx of pills in circulation that contain fentanyl. If you have a prescription from a doctor but run out, it’s likely you will call a friend to get more. No matter how close you are to them, it’s possible they get a dirty batch of Klonopin that’s laced with fentanyl. If you don’t have a tolerance to opioids, this could lead to an instant fatal overdose.
If you’re tired of worrying about where your next dose comes from or fearing a fatal overdose, which could be inevitable, it’s time to seek help for Klonopin addiction. Below we’ll discuss what you can expect when entering into treatment.
Detox
Benzodiazepines like Klonopin are among the most dangerous drugs to detox from, meaning you must seek professional help. Upon entry, our friendly staff will assess your most dire needs and determine the course of action. Since Klonopin has a half-life of 30 to 40 hours, only 50 percent of the drug will exit your system within two days. You may not experience severe withdrawal symptoms until then, leading you to believe you’re in the clear. If you haven’t sought treatment yet, you’re probably under the assumption you can overcome this alone. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, so entering our facility and letting our team evaluate you is important.
During the initial assessment, we will ask questions that determine what path works best for you and develop a relapse prevention plan. You’ll then move into detox, an intensive process that requires 24-hour care while you purge Klonopin or anything else from your system. You’ll be monitored for seizures or other adverse outcomes. Depending on the severity of your substance use disorder, they could wean you off with a taper instead of allowing you to go cold turkey. The process typically takes three to seven days, but because of the long half-life, you could be there for longer.
Inpatient
During your initial assessment, the staff will determine where you end up, which could be inpatient treatment, where you’ll live on-site for up to 90 days. During this period, you’ll learn about the root causes behind your addiction and attend therapy to learn vital tools for life after treatment. Those with severe Klonopin addiction will benefit from removing themselves from their surroundings.
Aftercare
Once you’ve completed your time in rehab and treated your Klonopin addiction, the journey isn’t over. You must continue nourishing your mind with therapy and 12-step programs. Fortunately, our treatment center will get you in touch with meetings in your area and connect you with peers who will foster your growth after addiction. As a lifelong disease with no cure, you must manage it to the best of your ability. Fortunately, if you put in the time, you’ll be rewarded for your hard work. You will feel overwhelmed once you leave, so being with others on your journey will help immensely and keep you away from old friends who could get you in trouble.
Seeking Help For a Substance Use Disorder
If you or someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder involving a benzodiazepine like Klonopin, there may be help available to lead you into long-lasting recovery.
Addiction is a chronic disease, but it can be effectively treated with the right help and services. Plus, when a central nervous system depressant is involved, the safest way to achieve sobriety is through medical detox.
To learn more about addiction treatment, speak to an addiction treatment specialist at Serenity at Summit by calling 844-432-0416 at any time.
