Klonopin® Addiction: Effects, Withdrawal & Treatment

Klonopin® is a prescription medication that is primarily used for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, muscle spasms, and seizure disorders such as epilepsy.1 Due to its sedative effects, Klonopin is sometimes used as a short-term treatment for insomnia as well as for the management of withdrawal symptoms for those detoxing from alcohol.

Known also by its generic name, clonazepam, Klonopin belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Klonopin comes in tablet form as well as an orally disintegrating tablet which dissolves in the mouth. 

Klonopin works by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain that calms the nervous system.1 By affecting GABA activity, Klonopin reduces the brain’s excessive electrical activity that leads to restlessness, anxiety, panic, muscle spasms, and seizures.1

While Klonopin can be effective for managing symptoms of anxiety, it comes with its own set of risks. For instance, the drug can be habit-forming, leading to dependence and addiction, particularly if used regularly at high doses or over an extended period. 

It should be noted that dependence is different from addiction. Dependence is the physical adaptation to a substance, leading to tolerance, which in turn requires greater amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effect. Physical withdrawal symptoms, once the substance use is stopped, is another characteristic of dependence. Addiction, meanwhile, involves the psychological aspects of substance use. It is marked by the compulsive use of a drug despite negative life consequences.

While Klonopin and other benzos are prescribed by physicians for legitimate medical conditions, they are often misused. Benzo abuse can be defined as when an individual takes benzos without a prescription purely to feel their intoxicating effects. The most common symptoms of benzodiazepine addiction include:2,3

• Drug-seeking behaviors (including inappropriate self-medicating and drug hoarding)
• Doctor shopping, or visiting more than one doctor to obtain additional prescriptions for benzos
• Forging prescriptions to get more benzos
• Increasing time spent alone
• Inability to meet the duties of work, school, or home because of one’s use of benzos
• Physical dependence on the drug
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
• Memory impairment
• Slowed thinking and reaction time
• Increased anxiety
• Depression
• Wild mood swings

Klonopin is classified as long-acting, and the effects of Klonopin are usually felt within 30 to 60 minutes after taking it. While the duration of its action can vary, some people have reported experiencing the effects of Klonopin for up to 12 hours after first taking it.

Patients using Klonopin should do so under medical supervision and follow prescribed dosages. The side effects of Klonopin are typically much stronger when the drug is misused or abused, rather than when used under medical supervision.

The side effects of Klonopin may include:1,4

• Drowsiness or sedation
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Impaired coordination
• Memory problems
• Confusion
• Headache
• Nausea
• Muscle weakness
• Increased saliva production
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty breathing

Severe Klonopin side effects include mood changes, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts.1

Yes, you can overdose on Klonopin. An overdose is more likely to occur if someone takes a higher dose than prescribed, combines it with other substances like alcohol or opioids, or takes it without a prescription or proper medical supervision.4 

A Klonopin overdose can be dangerous and potentially fatal. In severe cases, Klonopin overdose has led to coma, slowed or stopped breathing—this is known as respiratory depression—and death.6 The risk of Klonopin overdose increases when it is taken with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol, opioids, or other benzos.1,4,6 Such combinations amplify Klonopin’s sedative effects, increasing the chance of respiratory depression, which is a common cause of death among drug overdose cases.

The signs of Klonopin overdose include:1

• Extreme drowsiness
• Extreme confusion
• Slurred speech
• Impaired coordination
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision or double vision
• Hypotension
• Difficulty breathing
• Cardiac arrest
• Loss of consciousness or coma

Klonopin is generally medically prescribed for short-term use, with a “tapering off” period to avoid some of the most uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.6 When someone has grown dependent on or addicted to Klonopin, they can experience dangerous, possibly fatal withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug.6 It is therefore crucial that those looking to safely quit Klonopin seek a medical detox program that can manage their withdrawal symptoms and build toward a solid foundation for long-term recovery.

Clonazepam withdrawal symptoms can include:1,4,6

• Increased body temperature
• Irritability
• Motor impairment
• Increased heart rate
• Excessive sweating
• Hand tremors
• Sleeplessness
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Panic attacks
• Coma

The severity of Klonopin withdrawal symptoms depends on many factors. These include the length of time a person has been using Klonopin, the amount of Klonopin they had been taking, the frequency with which they took Klonopin, whether they mixed Klonopin with alcohol or other drugs, and their physical makeup and mental health.

At Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta, we strive to empower patients with the life skills they need to effect positive change in their lives. Our benzodiazepine rehab program in Atlanta can assist you in taking that first step toward a healthier future.

We offer a range of rehab programs to suit your needs, including outpatient rehab, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Our programs also include one year of recovery coaching at no extra cost to provide extended support after graduation.

We accept several insurance plans and can even work with out-of-network insurances to get you the treatment you need. Our rehab admissions team can verify your benefits over the phone or online so that you understand the details of paying for addiction treatment. If you are ready to learn more about our addiction recovery center, contact us today and take that first step toward a healthier, happier future.

References

1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Clonazepam: Pharmacology, administration, and therapeutic effects. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved October 8, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556010/
2. Miller, N. S., & Greenfeld, A. (2004). Drug seeking behavior in patients with substance use disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 24(5), 493-495. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4919169/
3. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://repository.poltekkes-kaltim.ac.id/657/1/Diagnostic%20and%20statistical%20manual%20of%20mental%20disorders%20_%20DSM-5%20(%20PDFDrive.com%20).pdf
4. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Clonazepam (Klonopin). NAMI. Retrieved October 8, 2024, from https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/treatments/mental-health-medications/types-of-medication/clonazepam-Klonopin/
5. WebMD. (n.d.). Clonazepam oral: Uses, side effects, interactions. WebMD. Retrieved October 8, 2024, from https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-920-6006/Klonopin-oral/clonazepam-oral/details
6. RxList. (n.d.). Klonopin (clonazepam): Uses, dosage, side effects. RxList. Retrieved October 8, 2024, from https://www.rxlist.com/Klonopin-drug.htm
7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2001). Klonopin (clonazepam) label information. FDA. Retrieved October 8, 2024, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2001/17533s31lbl.PDF