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Concurrent Alcohol and Clonazepam Abuse

woman passed out from mixing alcohol and pills

Clonazepam is a drug that is prescribed for some types of convulsive disorders and panic disorders, among other mental health disorders. It also goes by the name Klonopin and is a type of benzodiazepine that provides a tranquilized experience. It is through these effects that clonazepam becomes dangerous, particularly when it is used along with alcohol.

Signs and Symptoms

You develop a tolerance over time when taking clonazepam on its own, and this has a higher risk of occurring when you combine it with alcohol. When abusing alcohol, you lack proper judgment, and you might be likely to take more clonazepam than you normally would while drinking. This quickly leads to you developing a higher tolerance to the drug.

You may also begin obtaining clonazepam illegally if you no longer get a prescription, know the dangers of taking the drug but can’t control your use, or experience financial trouble like losing your job or bankruptcy but continue using.

In addition, when a person with a physical dependency on clonazepam stops taking the drug, they may experience withdrawal symptoms like:

  • Hallucinations.
  • Panic attacks.
  • Loss of memory.
  • Rapid heartbeat.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Tingling or numbness.
  • Dizziness.

Find out how to help a clonazepam addict when you call our helpline free at .


Combined Effects

There is a variety of concurrent alcohol and clonazepam abuse problems to be aware of, which includes a higher risk of addiction and the type of side effects you might be experiencing. Each side effect you experience while taking clonazepam is heightened when you are also drinking alcohol.

If you have shallow breathing or a low heart rate while taking the drug, then combining it with alcohol causes this to happen very quickly, which can lead to loss of consciousness, dizziness, or fainting.

Other side effects include:

  • High risk for seizures.
  • Memory issues.
  • Problems with focus and concentration.
  • Poor motor skills.
  • Poor judgment.
  • Suicidal behavior.

Treatment for Co-occurring Alcohol and Clonazepam Addiction


Rehab facilities are equipped to handle addictions to both alcohol and clonazepam safely and effectively. Treatment for co-occurring alcohol and clonazepam addiction addresses both addictions separately and together.

The rehab options for alcohol and clonazepam addiction are varied, depending on the individual and what treatment you feel would be best for you. They include outpatient and inpatient rehab programs, as well as residential treatment for a longer stay at the rehab facility.

Outpatient rehab facilities allow you to remain at home while getting treatment via counseling and support groups, such as 12-Step programs.

With inpatient rehab programs, you stay in the facility with constant supervision while receiving different therapies. If you need to stay longer, you can choose a residential treatment center.

Treatment programs include one-on-one therapy with someone specializing in addictions, as well as programs designed to address other mental health disorders you might have, like bipolar disorder, anxiety or depression. The length of stay for treatment depends on the severity of your clonazepam and alcohol addiction.


Key Statistics

In the U.S., there are approximately 11.2 million men and 5.7 million women addicted to alcohol. In addition, there is a high rate of abuse of clonazepam. Approximately 95% of the people admitted to treatment centers or the hospital for clonazepam addiction are also abusing another substance at the same time, such as alcohol.

The majority of people addicted to benzodiazepines like Clonazepam are male, but there are also a lot of females suffering from the addiction as well.


Teen Drinking and Clonazepam Abuse

Teen drinking and clonazepam misuse is another major problem in the United States. It is reported that approximately 855,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old have a problem with alcohol consumption—either abuse or addiction—and they frequently combine their alcohol use with misuse of prescription drugs like clonazepam.


Resources, Articles, and More Information

For more information about the dangers of concurrent clonazepam and alcohol use and addiction, here are some articles and resources that can provide assistance:

Call us free at when you are ready to start on your path to recovery and learn more about treatment options for clonazepam and alcohol misuse.

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