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Klonopin, also known by the name clonazepam, is an anti-seizure medication prescribed to relieve severe anxiety symptoms that include panic attacks, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s Medline Plus. As with other benzodiazepines, it is a very powerful drug that can have serious side effects and withdrawal symptoms, even when it is taken in accordance with the directions and under the supervision of a prescribing doctor. When individuals abuse this drug, the abuse can easily lead to addiction.
Symptoms Associated With Klonopin Addiction and Withdrawal
Benzodiazepines are in a class of drugs known as hypnotics. While they can be effective and helpful when used correctly, they do have a variety of side effects that can be noticeable to others. For instance, if you suspect that someone you love may be abusing Klonopin, you may want to watch for drowsiness, as the effects of Klonopin can resemble the effects of being intoxicated or drunk.
Also, when an individual is no longer able to obtain the drug, they may suffer from withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Seizures, even if they have never had a seizure disorder in the past
- Hallucinations – seeing or hearing objects, voices, or people who are not really there
- General behavior changes
- Shaking or trembling
- Cramping of the abdomen or stomach
- Increased anxiety
- Insomnia
- Sweating
In addition to the symptoms that surround Klonopin directly, there are many other signs of drug abuse which you may wish to take into consideration. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that is marked by relapse and compulsive behavior. In fact, according the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, an individual who suffers from substance dependence will exhibit any combination of several distinct behaviors. For instance, an individual may find excuses not to participate in important social or family events in which a reasonable person would certainly want to participate, such as graduation ceremonies, birthday parties, holidays or other significant occasions. A person suffering from addiction may spend an extraordinary amount of time on the singular purpose of finding and using drugs, or suffering from the after effects, or hangover effects of using the drugs. If an individual continues to use Klonopin even when they know that the use of the drugs is endangering their life – directly or indirectly – they may be suffering from an addiction. There are a total of seven criteria of a physical and psychological nature for the diagnosis of substance dependence, but an individual need only show evidence of three of them in order to be diagnosed. Therefore, coming up with an exact description of what Klonopin addiction – or any addiction – may look like is nearly impossible.
In many cases, if you have suspicions about whether a family member or friend is suffering from Klonopin addiction, you will have only your observations on which to base your opinion.
In this case, you can watch for general behavior changes, including:
- Problems at work or school, such as attendance or performance issues
- A decrease in motivation to accomplish tasks; general malaise
- Differences in attention to personal hygiene
- A lack of funds that can indicate the individual is overspending to purchase Klonopin or other drugs
- Changes in mood and behavior that are out of character, such as increased anger, increased concerns for privacy, or a recent, significant change in social circles
Of course, diagnosis can only be established by a professional, so it is best to contact a treatment facility, such as The Oaks at La Paloma, to arrange for an assessment.
Stages of Treatment for Klonopin Addiction
When someone we love is addicted to drugs, including Klonopin, our initial reaction may be to insist that they stop using the drugs immediately. While this may be a viable reaction to the use of some drugs, in the case of benzodiazepine abuse, sudden abstinence can be dangerous. Rather than immediately stopping use of the drug, it may be necessary to undergo supervised detoxification. A professional detox clinic or treatment facility can oversee the physical changes that occur when an individual stops taking Klonopin.
Detox, in and of itself, is not treatment for drug addiction. While the individual may successfully stop taking the drug during the detox period, there is a significant chance that they will return to using the drug once they have left the hospital. Once the detox phase has been completed, it is necessary that the individual take part in an effective treatment program at a facility that is equipped to address all of their unique needs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has emphatically stated that the most effective treatment programs take into consideration not only the addiction disorder, but also any other emotional, physical, legal, or family-related issues. Depending upon the individual circumstances, effective treatment can be had on an inpatient or an outpatient basis.
Learning to Live a Healthy Lifestyle
A residential treatment facility provides housing and around-the-clock care for individuals recovering from drug abuse and addiction. An individual who suffers from Klonopin addiction may have developed habits that are simply unhealthy. Waking up every morning and following a set schedule can help to retrain the brain with healthy, comforting habits.
Other aspects of living a healthy lifestyle both during and after rehab might include the correct managements and practices for the relief of stress. One method that has been scientifically proven to reduce stress is the art of meditation. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine – a division of the National Institutes of Health – relaxation techniques such as meditation can help reduce stress which affects many conditions, both mental and physical.
A few examples include:
- Anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that using relaxation techniques works very well with evidence-based treatments for anxiety, and that individuals suffering from depression have found relief from relaxation alone, although they are not as effective as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
- Headaches. Some studies have shown that relaxation techniques provide more relief for headaches than medication.
- Heart disease. In controlled studies, research has shown that relaxation techniques can reduce blood pressure and other factors as they relate to heart disease.
- Immune system. In a study related to asthma, researchers discovered that relaxation as a practice might actually help improve one’s immune system, a component that may have been compromised by addiction to Klonopin or other drugs.
For some individuals, intensive outpatient treatment is an option that can also be very effective. While undergoing outpatient care, the recovering addict will live either at home or in a safe environment, participate in therapies designed to help them overcome negative thought processes and behaviors, as well as participate in a drug screening program to verify they are abstaining from drug abuse. This type of treatment is especially beneficial for individuals who are responsible for the care of small children or elderly parents, or who cannot leave their employment during the course of treatment.
Once the individual has completed treatment, it is important that they maintain the healthy lifestyle practices they have learned as well as continually surround themselves with an atmosphere of recovery. One way to accomplish this is to participate in ongoing support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, a program based on the 12-step model of Alcoholics Anonymous. The recovering addict can then learn how to recognize their triggers – circumstances or situations that might cause them to use drugs – so they can avoid relapse. If the individual does suffer a relapse, they should then return to an active treatment program to make adjustments.
If you may be suffering from Klonopin addiction, the sooner you get help, the more quickly you can regain control of your life. Please contact us as soon as possible so you can receive the help you need in a safe, effective and nurturing program that is designed to meet all your needs.