Klonopin Withdrawal and Detox Timeline

Klonopin, or clonazepam, is a benzodiazepine usually prescribed to treat panic disorder in patients. Its quick onset means rapid relief from acute anxiety symptoms experienced by patients. However, long-term use and/or abuse of the drug can lead to addiction, which requires simultaneous treatment of these co-occurring disorders. For some patients, simply tapering off the drug over time until they are free from dependence on the drug is the answer. In most cases, the psychological dependency on the drug makes it difficult to avoid taking too much. That’s why complete cessation of use all at once is usually recommended.

Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms

With the complete cessation of Klonopin use, most patients who are dependent on the drug experience withdrawal symptoms.¹ When only a physical dependence on Klonopin is present – a common occurrence that happens in almost all patients who take the drug for any length of time – and only taking a low dose at the time of detox, the withdrawal symptoms are usually mild and include:

In other cases, when psychological dependence upon Klonopin is an issue and the person has been taking high doses of the drug, withdrawal symptoms can become severe and may last longer. When the symptoms become severe, intense drug cravings in addition to rebound anxiety and panic issues may feel overwhelming. When this happens, the risk of relapse is greatly increased if the person struggling doesn’t have proper medical care during the detox process.

Timeline of Withdrawal Symptoms

Detox from Benzodiazepines like Klonopin can last for weeks, depending on the dosage and length of use. Klonopin addiction detox can also be complicated by the patient’s history of additional drug use and any underlying mental health issues. Because so many patients initially use Klonopin in an attempt to manage the symptoms of a panic disorder, one of the first things they experience when the medication is stopped is anxiety. This feeling can continue to grow as the physical symptoms described above build over the first few days of detox. Within a week, most patients report that their symptoms peak and plateau, lasting for another week or more and then begin to fade.

Detox and Treatment Medications

Because Klonopin is a first-line treatment for anxiety, patients are often faced with finding alternative, non-addictive methods of dealing with their diagnosis as they navigate detox and addiction treatment.³ Medications may be one option in some cases, but holistic measures can be beneficial both during detox and beyond to help mitigate the severity of symptoms and duration of detox. Some of these options include:

• Antidepressants– There are many types of non-addictive antidepressants available to help manage the symptoms of anxiety while decreasing cravings for Klonopin and other mind-altering substances.
• Meditation– Learning how to be still and focus on the breath can be a tool to decrease overall levels of anxiety. Focused breathing can also be a coping mechanism to help in the management of acute anxiety symptoms.
• Yoga and gentle exercise– Stretching, walking, swimming, and yoga – there are a host of gentle, meditative exercise options that can help to improve physical wellness as well as mental health.
• Improved diet– Getting the right combination of nutrients and cutting out certain foods that make it more difficult to function on a healthy level can contribute to overall wellness and anxiety management.

Finding Treatment for Klonopin Addiction

If you or a loved one struggles with Klonopin, we are here for you. Call our toll-free number 24 hours a day to speak to an admissions coordinator about available treatment option.

¹ “Klonopin Oral:Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.”WebMD, WebMD. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.

² “Clonazepam (Oral Route) Precautions.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Mar. 2017. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.

³ “What is drug addiction treatment?” National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA, 14 Dec. 2017. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.