Table of Contents
Klonopin is a benzodiazepine with a habit-forming potential, as some people become addicted to it in as little as a few weeks. Many individuals have become addicted to Klonopin while taking only the amount prescribed by their doctors.
Klonopin blocks specific receptors in the brain to reduce stress, anxiety, and tension. Once a person is addicted to the drug, their brain loses its ability to feel relaxed and calm without it.
This is why people that are addicted to Klonopin find it hard to quit and struggle to function normally when they don’t use it.
Some signs that someone may have a Klonopin addiction include:
- Constant cravings for Klonopin
- Continued Klonopin use despite negative results
- Wanting to quit but not being able to do so
- Losing interest in professional, academic, or social obligations
- Developing legal or financial problems
Klonopin addiction begins when the user builds a tolerance to the drug, which means they need larger doses to get the same effects they once had with smaller doses.
Some users start taking more than they were prescribed or using the drug to get high.
Singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks publicly shared her problems with a Klonopin addiction. Because her doctor prescribed the drug, Nicks said she had a false sense of security about using it.
I didn’t understand right up until the end that it was the Klonopin that was making me crazy. I didn’t realize it was that drug because I was taking it from a doctor, and it was prescribed.
Eventually, users with tolerance will experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly cease taking Klonopin.
Klonopin withdrawal symptoms typically range from severe anxiety to seizures. These symptoms can be deadly, making it unsafe for Klonopin users to quit without medical supervision.
Understanding Klonopin (Clonazepam)
Klonopin is the brand name for clonazepam, a long-acting benzodiazepine. Klonopin slows down brain activity to make users feel relaxed.
It was initially created to help patients with epilepsy manage seizures. Later, the drug’s rapid and robust calming effects also gained recognition as a way to treat panic attacks.
Doctors often prescribe Klonopin to ease anxiety and withdrawal symptoms from addictive substances, such as alcohol. Doctors may also prescribe the drug for short-term insomnia.
It is swallowed as a blue tablet or taken as a quick-dissolve tablet placed on the tongue as frequently as three times a day. Slang terms for Klonopin include tranks, downers, benzos, or k-pins.
Doctors will generally refrain from recommending Klonopin for long-term use because of its potential for addiction. The drug has a relatively long half-life (length of time the drug is active in the body).
Once Klonopin’s effects wear off, addicted users begin to experience symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. Many people who are attempting to quit Klonopin end up in relapse when withdrawal symptoms become unbearable.
Klonopin Effects and Abuse
Although Klonopin effectively treats severe medical problems like epilepsy, it is also a powerful drug that is likely to be abused.
Any use of Klonopin without a doctor’s prescription is considered abuse. At higher than prescribed doses, Klonopin significantly depresses the central nervous system causing a short, euphoric “high” before a hazy, intoxicated stupor.
Some users crush Klonopin tablets up into a fine powder and snort them to enhance the drug’s effects.
When someone abuses Klonopin or takes doses that are too high or uses it for long periods, they may exhibit symptoms such as:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Fainting
- Numbness
- Impaired cognition
- Confusion
- Slow reaction time
- Impaired judgment
- Reduced libido
One user described the effects of abusing Klonopin as being absorbed in peace with a feeling of intense euphoria.
Klonopin is most often abused with alcohol to intensify the effects of both drugs, which can end in blacking out and possibly respiratory failure.
Some people abuse Klonopin because it can elicit hallucinatory effects when taken in substantial doses. No matter the reason for abuse, large doses of Klonopin can put users at risk of overdose.
Klonopin is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Since it slows the central nervous system, functions like heart rate and breathing are slower and can cause a coma or death.
Signs of a Klonopin overdose include:
- Slurred speech
- Extreme drowsiness
- Unsteady walking
- Reduced attention span
- Memory impairment
- Lack of coordination
When someone abuses Klonopin, they are likely to struggle with body function and overall alertness. After a while, there is a risk of paradoxical reactions.
Paradoxical reactions are the opposite effect of what the drug is supposed to be doing, such as increased irritability, anxiety, agitation, and poor sleep.
Long term use of Klonopin can also lead to depression and panic attacks.
