How to Help a Clonazepam Addict
Help for Clonazepam Addicts
Clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin) is a prescription tranquilizer used to treat seizures and panic disorders. It falls within the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, which are known for their sedating effects.
Taking clonazepam without following prescription guidelines can result in a number of risky consequences—including addiction, dependence, and dangerous secondary effects. In fact, nearly one million emergency department visits involved benzodiazepines such as clonazepam from 2005 to 2011, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA).
Fortunately, recovery is possible. Treatment for clonazepam abuse should be professionally monitored. It can take place in a residential facility or as part of an outpatient treatment program, depending on your needs.
Is Clonazepam Addictive?
Clonazepam is classified as a Schedule IV substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency. This means that it has a known and accepted medical use, but it still carries a risk of physical or psychological dependence.
Benzodiazepine drugs work by reducing activity throughout the brain, leading to reduced anxiety symptoms, sleepiness, and muscle relaxation when taken as prescribed. As a person uses increasing doses non-medically, their brain will eventually begin to need more and more of the drug to achieve the same “feel-good” results. This is called tolerance, and it is a primary building block of addiction.
Clonazepam is often abused along with other substances—most commonly alcohol or opioids. Such a combination of substances increases the risk of dangerous side effects due to the interaction of both drugs’ sedative or depressant actions.
In 2011, U.S. forensic laboratories found clonazepam involved in 10,686 cases, with increasing numbers through 2012. Abuse of this drug can have serious consequences, and proper treatment is an important step toward recovery.
What Are the Signs of Cloazepam Addiction?
When taken as prescribed, clonazepam can be a very therapeutic medication with minimal health risks. When it is abused in higher or more frequent doses, however, the drug can have dangerous side effects.
Physical Signs and Symptoms
- Problems with coordination.
- Increased saliva production.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Muscle or joint pain.
- Frequent urination.
- Blurred vision.
Psychological Signs and Symptoms
- Panic attacks.
- Anxiety.
- Aggressive behavior.
- Memory impairment.
- Suicidal thoughts.
Clonazepam Addiction Treatment
Treatment for clonazepam addiction can take place in a residential or inpatient recovery facility or as part of an outpatient treatment program, but it will always begin with detoxification. Detox involves getting rid of all of the clonazepam in your body, and it is a necessary step in the treatment process.
Professional, supervised sedative detox programs will help manage withdrawal effects that may include:
- Rebound anxiety.
- Depression.
- Insomnia.
- Sensory overload.
- Sweating.
- Muscle cramping.
Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous. In serious cases, seizures and extreme confusion paired with body tremors are possible, and such instances will necessitate close medical supervision and pharmaceutical management throughout the process.
The next step is a formal addiction treatment program. This will involve group therapy and individual counseling sessions that will help you:
- Discover the reasons and triggers for your addiction.
- Learn proactive ways to prevent relapse.
- Practice coping skills to help you effectively deal with future temptations.
If you feel like you need to completely escape your current using environment and put all of your energy into recovery, an inpatient care program is the right choice for you. Inpatient programs involve staying for a predetermined amount of time at a treatment facility where you will receive around-the-clock care while living in a completely sober environment.
If you absolutely cannot take time away from home or work responsibilities, an outpatient program may be the best option for you. Outpatient programs allow you to continue living at home while you work through treatment. You will check in with a treatment facility at predetermined intervals for medical check-ins and therapy sessions.
Once you have completed a formal treatment program, you have a number of options for post-rehab aftercare to continue getting support in your ongoing recovery efforts. Aftercare can involve:
- Sober living arrangements.
- Regularly scheduled counseling and therapy sessions.
- Recovery groups, such as 12-step programs or SMART Recovery.
You can take the next step and find rehabs near you using our search tool, which allows you to find treatment based on your unique needs.