Klonopin Addiction

By Team RehabAid

Last Updated March 22, 2024

Addiction

Klonopin is the brand name of the generic drug clonazepam. It is a benzodiazepine, similar in action to Xanax or Valium. It is designed to help with panic attacks or seizure prevention, but is often abused for its sedative effects. According to the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, over six million people every year abuse benzodiazepines —with ten percent of this number qualifying as having an abuse disorder.

Klonopin is an extremely dangerous drug to abuse, and can easily lead to coma or death. Knowing the early signs and symptoms of Klonopin abuse, and acting quickly on these signs and symptoms, can save a life.

How Does Klonopin Work?

Klonopin is a benzodiazepine. This particular set of drugs work by increasing the effectiveness of the brain hormone gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This produces an effect that can be sedative, hypnotic, and relaxing. It is often chosen over other benzodiazepines, because it has slightly less risk of ordinary side effects.

Reasons to Be Prescribed Klonopin

Benzodiazepines have been found to be effective at preventing seizures in those who suffer from epilepsy, as well as providing some relief to those with anxiety disorders. Rarely, they are also used as a means of treating insomnia.

Klonopin only works when taken at the right dosage. People who experience anxiety or insomnia generally start with a very low dosage of 0.25 mg, and this may be increased slightly. There is evidence that suggests doses over 1 mg/day actually decrease the effectiveness of the drug.

People who take Klonopin for seizure disorders can take up to ten times more. However, this causes other changes in how the brain reacts, and may be dangerous for people who do not have epilepsy.

How Long Does Klonopin Stay in Your System?

It can take up to two weeks for Klonopin to be completely removed from the body, although the range is affected by weight, diet, other medications, and your general health. People experiencing Klonopin withdrawal may feel the first effects in only a day. For more information, check out our fact sheet on Klonopin Withdrawal.

Common Side Effects of Klonopin

If you experience any side effects with Klonopin, you should discontinue the drug and speak to a doctor before using it again. Some side effects are indicative of other serious medical issues, so you should treat each one with concern.

Common side effects to Klonopin use include:

• Dizziness and blurred vision
• Joint pain
• Sore throat and runny nose
• Lack of appetite

Rarer, but more serious side effects include:

• Rashes
• Lack of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Dysmenorrhea
• Suicidal thoughts

Side effects may not appear until you have taken Klonopin for some time, so it is always important to be on the lookout for them.

Contraindications for Klonopin

There are many circumstances in which taking Klonopin may be dangerous for you. These can be because of interactions with other medications, other medical problems you might have, or because of your family medical history.

You should not be taking Klonopin if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You have advanced kidney or liver disease.
• You have respiratory problems.
• You take other benzodiazepines or barbiturates.

Under no circumstances should you drink alcohol while using a benzodiazepine like Klonopin. This greatly increases the effects of both drugs, and is the primary cause of most overdoses.

What Are the Symptoms of Klonopin Abuse?

Symptoms refer to the things we feel and experience that may be caused by the misuse of Klonopin. Symptoms of Klonopin abuse often mimic the more uncommon side effects of normal use. If these symptoms occur, you should speak to your prescribing doctor, regardless of any concern regarding addiction.

Dizziness, Vertigo, and Fainting

Klonopin abuse can lead to a loss in the sense of balance. Sometimes this can even be quite subtle, causing a person to trip more often, or begin to feel carsick when they didn’t before. Dizziness and vertigo can even occur while lying down.

Tiredness and Slow Reaction Time

Using our brain to its full capacity is severely hampered by Klonopin abuse. It can often be difficult to understand what is said, or a person may take too long to react to both words and events and feel tired. Forgetting what was just said to you, or not being able to react quickly when playing sports and games can often be the first signs of a problem.

Numbness and Loss of Motor Control

Klonopin abuse can cause issues that affect how we touch and feel. This can mean we can feel numbness on our skin, grow uncoordinated, and can tend to drop things more often.

Anxiety, Depression, and Irritability

Mood changes that don’t make any rational sense are symptoms of Klonopin abuse. While it makes some people quicker to anger, others develop depression so severe they can’t get out of bed, or anxiety that causes frequent panic attacks. Klonopin abuse can lead to hallucinations (both visual and auditory), as well as thoughts of suicide or hurting others. If you ever experience these symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.

Mood symptoms are often hard to attribute to Klonopin if a mood disorder already exists, but it is important to take them seriously, either way.

Reduced Libido

Abusing Klonopin often leads to a decreased interest in sexual activity, and can sometimes make it impossible to engage in this activity, even if interested. While we may not notice this as much ourselves, it is important to pay attention to it if your sexual partner notices this change.

What Are the Signs of Klonopin Abuse?

Signs refer to the physical experiences that others can take note of. It is rare for someone to experience these physical changes due to an ordinary side effect of taking Klonopin, and so they are a good indicator of abuse. If someone you love is taking Klonopin and experiencing these signs, it is worth contacting a health professional.

Vomiting, Diarrhoea, and Weight Loss

Klonopin abuse invariably causes issues with the stomach and bowels, making it more difficult to properly digest, and more likely to have issues with holding food down.

Increased Sweating and Urination

One of the most common signs of Klonopin abuse is sweating. People addicted to Klonopin may also find themselves needing to use the bathroom more often.

Rashes

With high doses of Klonopin, abuse can cause a rash similar to hives, which is often accompanied by itchiness. This is also an uncommon side effect for someone taking the medication for the first time. If it appears after prolonged use, it is an indication that there has been an increase in how much Klonopin is being taken.

Slurred Speech and Confusion

A major sign of increased Klonopin usage, and one that occurs in almost all cases of overdose, is the loss of proper speech and confusion understanding other people. Slurred speech is not a normal side effect of Klonopin, and almost always indicates an abuse of the medication, or that it has been combined recklessly with other drugs and/or alcohol

Seizures and Loss of Consciousness

The scariest sign of Klonopin abuse is losing consciousness, which is often accompanied by seizures. These are extremely dangerous situations and can cause long-term, permanent injury. It is possible that these can lead to coma and even death. Death rates from benzodiazepines (like Klonopin) have risen dramatically in the last three decades.

Can You Overdose on Klonopin?

Nearly ten thousand Americans a year die from an overdose of benzodiazepines. These overdoses invariably include the use of alcohol and opioids, but these extra drugs are not necessary for an overdose to occur.

Before death, overdoses on Klonopin usually involve trouble breathing, severe muscle spasms, abdominal pain, seizures, and unconsciousness. There is no safe treatment for an acute Klonopil overdose, and methods to treat a patient who is entering a coma can put them at risk of seizures and permanent brain damage.

What Risk Factors Are Involved in a Klonopin Addiction?

Klonopin is often taken in conjunction with other recreational drugs that increase the likelihood of addiction. While the most common of these is alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and opioids are also commonly linked to Klonopin addiction.

Just because a recreational drug may be legal, it does not mean it cannot be involved in increasing the likelihood of addiction. While addiction to the above drugs is rare, in conjunction with Klonipin, that risk increases dramatically.

Other risk factors for Klonopin addiction include any family history of addiction (including gambling and alcohol) and mental health disorders. Addressing underlying issues can often prevent addiction from occurring, and is an important part of rehabilitation from addiction.

Alcohol and Klonopin

There is an added risk with alcohol as there is a chemical interaction between alcohol and Klonopin. This can lead to increase side effects and a greater likelihood of overdose. Most cases of Klonopin overdose include alcohol or opioid use.

The Difference Between Dependency and Addiction

Dependency is a specific term for the biological changes in the body when it has been exposed to a drug for too long, or at too high a dose. The brain changes how it responds to the drug, and develops a tolerance. This means that when the drug is no longer taken, the body can react violently, causing a host of dangerous events. These signs and symptoms, as well as the underlying changes, can be alleviated with proper medical treatment. Dependence can occur even in those who are not addicted.

Klonopin specifically takes only a short period of time before the brain develops dependence. It can take only two weeks of continual use for chemical changes in the brain to begin, which will lead to the drug being less effective and withdrawal symptoms occurring when the medication is stopped.

Addiction refers to the inability to stop compulsively undertaking a particular activity (in this case, drug abuse), despite problems it might be causing to your health or in other areas of your life. Addiction can occur well before the body develops a dependence to a drug, and some people can be addicted to Klonopin without ever being dependent on it.

There are specific signs that occur among addicts, regardless of the drug or behavior you are addicted to. The most common signs of drug addiction are:

• Having issues with money and budgeting.
• Neglecting relationships with families and friends.
• Hiding or hoarding medication.
• Buying medication from anyone but a pharmacist.
• Regularly changing doctors.
• Lying about the dose taken.

If you believe that any of these signs relate to you or someone you care about, use the form below to be contacted anonymously about how you can be helped, or search for a rehabilitation center near you.

How Does Rehab Work for Someone With Klonopin Addiction?

Rehabilitation for someone with Klonopin addiction involves three key components: medical intervention, psychological treatment, and long-term support.

Medical Intervention

A person who has been abusing Klonopin will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it. Signs and symptoms can include seizures, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, and insomnia. These experiences can be quite dangerous for some people and may require medical monitoring. Rehabilitation centers have medical staff that can provide other medications to help relieve symptoms and monitor the safety of the patient.

Medical detox can take anywhere between a week and three months, as there are many factors for physical recovery. During this time, however, work can begin on other components of recovery.

Some rehabilitation centers can help develop “Gradual Dose Reduction” programs, under close monitoring, which has been shown to be more effective than “quitting cold turkey.”

Psychological Treatment

Under the guidance of an experienced and educated professional, you can develop strategies to help avoid situations in which someone might use again. More importantly, psychological counseling can help determine what factors led to addiction and how to improve mental health in order to no longer need the drug.

Psychological help is ongoing and recommended to continue for as long as patients need it. Many find it beneficial to continue therapy long after they have stopped feeling cravings. Rehabilitation centers offer cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) services, as well as referrals to professionals in the wider community.

Long-Term Support

Addiction never leaves. Even years after having last taken a drug, any use in the future is likely to lead straight to dependence and abuse. Because of this, it is often helpful to engage in substance abuse education, as well as develop a support system at home. Sometimes this means changing social circles, living arrangements, and work. Rehabilitation experts can help put together plans and frameworks to ensure that when an addict re-enters the community, they do not fall into the same habits and contexts that led to abuse.

Final Thoughts

Klonopin abuse is very dangerous and all too common. Using benzodiazepines inappropriately can lead to serious medical complications. Addiction to Klonopin result in ruined lives and relationships, but there is hope. One-third of patients who complete drug rehabilitation courses stay clean, and are half as likely to get in trouble with the law.

If you or a loved one may be involved in Klonopin abuse, we can help you find a nearby rehabilitation center that can help you decide the best course of action.

Resources

If you or a loved one are struggling with Klonopin abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Treatment and support are readily available. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment.

You can also find a list of treatment centers near you on our website to help get you on the path to recovery.

Medical Disclaimer

At RehabAid.com, we are dedicated to helping people recover from problematic substance use and associated mental health disorders. We provide our readers with factual, evidence-based content concerning the causes and nature of addiction, as well as available treatment options. However, this informative content is intended for educational purposes only. It is by no means a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. With regard to any addiction-related health concerns, you should always seek the guidance of a qualified, registered physician who is licensed to practice medicine in your particular jurisdiction. You should never avoid or delay seeking professional health care advice or services based on information obtained from our website. Our authors, editors, medical reviewers, website developers, and parent company do not assume any liability, obligation, or responsibility for any loss, damage, or adverse consequences alleged to have happened directly or indirectly as a result of the material presented on RehabAid.com.