Clonazepam Abuse
Introduction to Clonazepam Abuse
A person can form a physical dependence on the medication in a brief period of time, even while using the drug as instructed.Clonazepam is a prescription medication that belongs to a group of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It’s the third most prescribed benzodiazepine in the usa, supporting alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan). These medicines have very similar properties but vary in their rate of onset and duration of their effects.
Mostly, clonazepam is used to treat a variety of anxiety disorders such as:-
- Social anxiety disorder.
- Anxiety disorder.
Beyond its mental health programs, clonazepam is prescribed to treat spasticity and seizure disorders, as well to handle some signs of acute alcohol withdrawal. Clonazepam is occasionally used as an induction agent before the administration of anesthesia prior to a surgical procedure.
The medicine works by regulating overexcitement or overstimulation from the mind. Lots of men and women abuse the medication for non-medical purposes to experience its sedating assortment of effects.
Which Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam have depressant effects on the body– leading in various slowed physical and mental processes. Benzodiazepines are therapeutic drugs that have sedative, anti-anxiety, muscle relaxant, anti-convulsant, and hypnotic effects when taken as prescribed.
When abused, benzodiazepines can create a euphoric high, in addition to a feeling of calm marked by diminished worry and anxiety, and a relaxation of the body marked by less tension and restlessness. Though not suggested for insomnia, clonazepam may be misused as a sleeping pill because of its capacity to elicit drowsiness.
Is Clonazepam Dangerous?
Like other benzodiazepines, clonazepam is connected with a range of risks. Someone can form a physical addiction on the medication in a brief period of time, even while using the medication as instructed.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Tolerance
One sign of clonazepam abuse or dependence is tolerance to the medication. After using the medication for some time, the body becomes accustomed to the effects of the medication, requiring the person to consume increasing amounts of the drug to get the same effect. The development of tolerance may trigger the onset of a dangerous habit of rising drug use.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Another indication of dependence is that the beginning of withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing use of this drug for a time period. This is a sure indication that a physical dependence to clonazepam has grown.
Some withdrawal symptoms related to clonazepam present as a rebound effect–meaning that the symptoms handled by the medication yield with greater intensity.
Symptoms of withdrawal from Klonopin include:-
- GI disturbances.
- Increased perspiration.
- reduction of memory.
- Sensitivity to light or noise.
- Rapid heart beat.
Emotional Illness
Other psychological indications of clonazepam abuse or dependence include:-
- Feeling like you must take the medication to get through the day.
- Moving slower than normal.
- Having difficulty concentrating and/or remembering events or facts.
Worried About Someone You Love?”
If you are worried that a friend or loved one might be having a problem with substance abuse, a couple of telltale changes in behavior might help confirm suspicions. Be watching for the following external indications of Klonopin abuse:-LRB-*****)
- Reduced performance at work or college.
- Abandonment of formerly enjoyed activities in favor of drug use.
- Illegal purchase of this drug.
- Numerous visits to the physician in an effort to have a prescription.
- Visiting several doctors to get the medication, or “doctor shopping.”
- Noticeable changes in customs and friends.
- using this drug regardless of the obvious negative consequences.
Effects of Clonazepam Abuse
Like other medications with potential for abuse, Klonopin can cause unwanted side effects. Taking a lot of this substance could lead to:
- Lack of inspiration.
- Fatigue.
- Memory loss.
- Constipation.
- Feelings of depression.
- Poor nutritional status.
Clonazepam Overdose Risk
Abusing clonazepam puts one at risk for a drug overdose. As mentioned before, the body builds a tolerance to the medication. Since the user raises the dose taken, the danger of overdosing becomes greater.
The threat is compounded if the individual consumes clonazepam with alcohol or other drugs, as the joint depressant effects can slow the body to dangerous levels. An overdose of the prescription medication can cause:-
- Profound sedation.
- Confusion or delirium.
- Marked respiratory and CNS depression.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Coma.
- Death.
Clonazepam Abuse Treatment
Individuals may think they can conquer their clonazepam dependence alone. Benzodiazepine addictions can be very tricky to overcome, and may pose health risks during the acute withdrawal period. For all these reasons, evaluation by an addiction therapy or other medical professional is strongly urged before any efforts at recovery. Many fighting with clonazepam and other sedative use disorders are helped tremendously by registering for a professional substance abuse treatment program.
Within a treatment program, you are most likely to be put through a detoxification program, which should consist of gradually reducing the dose to prevent and handle dangerous symptoms which accompany benzodiazepine withdrawal. At the start of the program, it will be necessary to convey the dose, frequency, and length of your clonazepam use to ensure the suitable level of care.
In addition, you may be prescribed other drugs to relieve the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting use of clonazepam which were outlined earlier.
Once you fill out the detox program, the emotional characteristics of your addiction will be addressed together with continuing addiction therapy–either in an inpatient rehabilitation facility or via an outpatient program. Typically, treatment for addiction includes counseling or treatment aimed at helping understand the underlying factors that drove the drug misuse or dependence. Additionally, mental health treatment can work to plan steps for the future to enhance coping skills and prevent further abuse of clonazepam.
Statistics on Clonazepam Abuse
Nearly 17 million prescriptions for clonazepam were composed in the usa in 2011.
Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam are a very commonly abused class of prescription medication. Many times, those who have these drugs do this in combination with other medications or alcohol. Nearly 95 percent of individuals who sought treatment also mistreated another substance along with benzodiazepines. Normally, polydrug abuse happens to improve or alter the desired influence of the various substances.
Consider these other data associated with clonazepam and other benzodiazepines:-
- According to SAMHSA, the number of individuals seeking treatment for benzodiazepine abuse or dependence tripled from the 10-year period involving 1998 and 2008.
- In 2010, more than 80,000 calls were made to poison control centers involving benzodiazepine misuse. These calls led to 11 deaths.
- Also in 2010, there were nearly 350,000 visits to ERs because of benzodiazepines. Of the 350,000 visits, clonazepam ranked behind only alprazolam in many visits–with over 62,000 instances.
- A 2011 survey found that over 20 million individuals have used benzodiazepines for nonmedical reasons in their lifetime.