Klonopin Addiction and Treatment in Ohio
Social anxiety disorder is a mental illness in which a person experiences extreme anxiety around social situations. As a result, some people tend to avoid such situations. According to research, around 2.4 million adults in the United States struggle with panic disorder every year. Many people struggling with panic disorders experience severe incidents of anxiety called panic attacks.
While individuals with generalized anxiety disorders usually experience a more general sense of anxiety, panic disorders do not have a particular source. Anxiety often leads to symptoms like panic or profound worry, resulting in a racing heart, shortness of breath, abdominal distress, and sweating. Other physical symptoms may include irritability, restlessness, muscle tension, and sleeping difficulties.
Panic disorders occur as a result of imbalances of some neurotransmitters in the brain. Many medical professionals prescribe Klonopin, a benzodiazepine, to treat seizure disorders and panic attacks. This medication eases anxiety, helping an individual to relax.
Understanding Klonopin and Its Uses
Klonopin is a brand label for clonazepam, a long-acting benzodiazepine. It was initially used to help individuals with epilepsy manage seizure episodes. Later, the medication’s powerful and rapid calming effects were recognized as an effective way to deal with panic attacks. The drug works by slowing down brain activity to assist users in feeling relaxed. Klonopin effectively reduces anxiety symptoms, which are part of panic disorder and depression.
Klonopin is frequently prescribed to ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms and anxiety. Clinicians may also prescribe this drug for short-term insomnia. Klonopin isn’t recommended for long-term use because of its addictive potential.
How Is Klonopin Prescribed?
Klonopin is a Schedule IV controlled medication approved for medical use only. It is available in oral form and has three strengths: 2 milligrams (mg), 1 mg, and 0.5 mg. Your doctor will work with you to determine the right Klonopin dosage based on your treatment needs. The Klonopin dose prescribed by your doctor will depend on various factors, including:
- Severity and type of condition being treated
- Other pre-existing conditions
- Your age
- Other drugs you are currently taking
- Weight
In many cases, your doctor will start you on a low Klonopin dose and adjust it with time until they attain the right amount for you. Generally, the professional will prescribe the lowest dose that offers the desired effect for your condition.
How Klonopin Works
Benzodiazepines like Klonopin work by enhancing the release of the neurotransmitter known as GABA. The brain produces GABA naturally in times of tension and stress, neutralizing the extra adrenaline produced during intense situations. People with conditions like depression and insomnia that exacerbate anxiety need higher levels of GABA than their brain can normally create, and that’s where benzodiazepines like Klonopin come into play.
GABA normally acts like a brake pedal to the other brain neurotransmitters that can cause chronic feelings of anxiety and panic in people if left unchecked. It reduces the excitability of neurons, bringing a calming effect to your brain. Since people’s brains are unique, Klonopin can also have different results on different individuals.
Klonopin Side Effects
Like any other prescribed medication, Klonopin can cause serious or mild side effects during panic disorder treatment. Fortunately, many of these side effects normally subside within a couple of weeks or several days. The common side effects of Klonopin include:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Increased saliva
- Drowsiness
- Coordination and walking difficulties
Klonopin doesn’t have any severe side effects, but the effects can occur sometimes. The medication can cause worsening anxiety or depression, confusion, loss of consciousness, allergic reactions, and breathing difficulties in extreme cases. Contact your medical expert immediately if you experience or notice any of these symptoms in your loved one.
Is Klonopin Addictive?
Klonopin activates and enhances GABA, enabling a person to calm down and relax, and that’s why doctors prescribe it to treat seizures and panic attacks. Although Klonopin is highly effective and beneficial in treating these conditions, it has a high risk of misuse and addiction. Klonopin misuse can lead to drug overdose and death, especially when you use the medication with other substances such as alcohol or opioids.
A person taking Klonopin is at risk for misusing their medication, even when taken according to the doctor’s instructions. The positive effect of Klonopin may compel an individual to take more frequent or a higher dosage to feel the effects for longer. As a result, you’ll be at risk of psychological and physical dependence. Klonopin dependence can be a trigger that encourages drug misuse.
Using high dosages of Klonopin results in euphoria, a state that encourages continued substance use. And continued use of Klonopin at high levels places an individual at risk of becoming addicted. When dependent on Klonopin, people can’t stop using it without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, the urge to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms normally reinforces substance use.
Talk to your physician if you want to stop or reduce your dosage. These professionals can guide and help you to gradually take less Klonopin over time, a method known as tapering.
Signs of Klonopin Addiction
Klonopin is safe when you use it according to your doctor’s prescription. However, individuals susceptible to SUDs through genetics or other risk factors should be careful when using Klonopin. These people are more prone to developing Klonopin use disorders.
When tolerance increases, an individual will be at risk of taking higher dosages than recommended to attain the sedating effects. The common signs of Klonopin misuse and addiction include:
- Seizures
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Breathing difficulties
- Hives or rashes
- Vomiting and nausea
- Racing heart rate
- Numbness in extremities
- Increased agitation
- Mental confusion
- Hallucinations
- Psychosis
- Short-term memory loss
Klonopin Drug Interactions
Before taking Klonopin, you should talk with your pharmacist or doctor. Tell them about all over-the-counter prescriptions and other medications you are currently taking. Also, tell them about the herbs, supplements, and vitamins you are presently using. Sharing this info can help you prevent potential interactions.
Klonopin interacts with opioids, leading to increased overdose risk and even death. According to statistics, around 115 individuals in the U.S. succumb to opioid overdose every day . You shouldn’t take Klonopin with opioids unless you have discussed the risks with your doctor, and there is no other treatment option. If your physician prescribes Klonopin with opioids, they’ll monitor you closely.
Taking Klonopin and consuming alcohol can also increase the risk of harmful side effects. Alcohol and Klonopin suppress the central immune system. As a result, you’ll be at risk of complications such as respiratory depression, coma, excessive sleepiness, and even death. The safest way is to avoid taking alcohol while using Klonopin. The other option is to talk to your doctor. They will tell you whether taking any alcohol during Klonopin treatment is safe.
Klonopin Addiction Treatment Methods
Overcoming Klonopin addiction is challenging, and you don’t have to go through it alone. While attending a Klonopin rehab center can be an important step in completing your recovery process, you’ll need comprehensive care that puts into consideration your mental health and physical well-being.
If you’re struggling with Klonopin addiction and are considering enrolling in a rehabilitation center, White Light Behavioral Health has many options for professional care and treatment. Below are the Klonopin addiction treatment options you can access in the rehabilitation center.
Klonopin Detoxification and Withdrawal
Detoxification is an important step in every individual’s recovery journey. Like other benzodiazepines, Klonopin withdrawal and detox should be carefully monitored and managed. A medically trained team will help you through your tapering schedule during the detox process. Tapering allows the central nervous system and brain to stabilize slowly as the level of Klonopin gradually reduces in your system. The process allows your body to stabilize, minimizing withdrawal symptoms.
During the detox process, the medical support team will offer medical assistance to help relieve any discomfort. You’ll also get psychological support to help you successfully finish this first stage of recovery. Some of the common Klonopin withdrawal symptoms you may experience during the detoxification process include:
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Nightmares
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Seizures
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Joint and muscle pain
- Hallucinations
- Vomiting and nausea
- Difficulty concentrating
- Impaired coordination
- Hostility or anger
After Klonopin withdrawal, you can easily transition into a suitable treatment. Enrolling in a comprehensive Klonopin treatment program will help you overcome the addiction cycle and regain control over your life.
Inpatient Rehabilitation
Individuals struggling with addiction can significantly benefit from enrolling in an inpatient treatment program. During inpatient rehabilitation, clients can live at the treatment center and interact with therapists, doctors, or nurses daily. Clients might also access 24-hour care to tackle any problem, including cravings and psychological withdrawal symptoms that may persist after detoxification.
Inpatient programs remove the individuals from social circles and negative home environments that can trigger substance use. They provide a safe space without harmful influences, allowing you to concentrate on your recovery journey. Inpatient treatment is also the safest way to treat clonazepam addiction, especially if you need to start with detoxification.
Individuals in an inpatient Klonopin rehab program usually receive counseling and appropriate therapy as an individual or a group. Taking part in these activities will help you get the necessary skills and knowledge you need to address your dependency on Klonopin.
While a person’s stay in these rehabilitation facilities varies, you can stay between 30 and 90 days. Some short-term rehabilitation programs offer services for about 28 days or even less. Regardless of the time spent in the treatment center, these highly structured programs will offer you the stability and support you need to concentrate on your recovery.
Every Klonopin treatment center is different and has unique offerings, facilities, and programs. Since each individual’s recovery journey differs, many rehabilitation centers also offer specialty programs or added amenities. Some locations offer yoga therapy sessions, volleyball and basketball courts, exercise gyms, and other recreational activities. These add-ons can help people with more unique needs. Additional features of inpatient Klonopin rehabilitation include:
- Treatment planning and comprehensive evaluation
- Medication management
- Full-time nursing care
- Meetings with a therapist
- Discharge and aftercare planning
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient rehabilitation is the most accessible and available type of Klonopin addiction treatment in Ohio. It offers many similar aspects to inpatient treatment, but the main difference is that clients do not live full-time at the treatment center. The clients can live with friends or family at home and continue handling their day-to-day responsibilities. That means you can continue attending work or school, caring for your family, and even completing household chores.
Outpatient services include outpatient detoxification, regular outpatient schedules, intensive outpatient treatment programs, outpatient day treatment options, or partial hospitalization. While outpatient treatment allows you to get regular therapy sessions without staying in the rehab center, you’ll need a strong and active support network to help you during recovery.
Outpatient treatment includes different levels of care and time commitments to help people in different stages of addiction recovery. For instance, some programs may include weekly or daily treatment schedules, which include attending group therapy or meeting with therapists for individual sessions. The specific schedules will significantly depend on the unique needs of every client.
Dual Diagnosis
A person is said to have a dual diagnosis if they have two separate disorders that need treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment refers to a special program that addresses the mental health needs of an individual recovering from drug addiction. This option is suitable for people with substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental illnesses like depression or anxiety. While the diagnoses are separate, medical professionals can combine their treatments. Some addiction treatment centers have trauma programs or support groups that address certain mental health issues.
Finding Help for Klonopin Addiction
Klonopin addiction can be overwhelming. However, there are many ways you can use to recover and regain control of your life. For many people, the most effective method to find full recovery is through the assistance of an addiction treatment program.
If you or a person you know is struggling with a co-occurring mental disorder and Klonopin addiction, White Light Behavioral Health can help. We provide a variety of partial hospitalization, residential treatment, aftercare, and outpatient treatment programs for Klonopin misuse and addiction.
White Light Behavioral Health is located in Columbus, OH, but we can accommodate people from anywhere in the U.S. Contact us now to know more about the Klonopin misuse and addiction treatment options that can work effectively for your situation.
