Clonazepam Withdrawal Symptoms List

Clonazepam aka Klonopin Prescribed for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Clonazepam, under the brand name of Klonopin, is a tranquilizer often prescribed to aid individuals who suffer from panic attacks or seizures.  Clonazepam is in the benzodiazepine family of Schedule IV drugs that happen to be highly addictive, so should only be prescribed for a short-term period.

Unfortunately, the drug also produces a euphoric high along with the sedative effects, making it desirable for recreational abuse.  According to the 2013 National Survey for Drug Use and Health, nearly 2 million Americans over the age of 12 had abused these types of tranquilizers, with the average age being 25.  But even those who take this medication as prescribed and do not abuse it can, unfortunately, find themselves addicted to clonazepam.

Signs of Clonazepam Addiction

Taking clonazepam for any length of time is risky, but if taken for an extended period, or at higher dosages than recommended, addiction can result.  This is because the benzodiazepine class of drugs will quickly lead to an increase in tolerance.  When this happens, the person will begin to take higher doses at more frequent intervals to be able to achieve the same euphoric high and intense feelings of relaxation as previously experienced.  The brain will respond to the drug by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, and become dependent on the drug to sustain these levels.

Signs and symptoms of clonazepam addiction:

• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Slowed reactions
• Extreme sleepiness
• Restlessness
• Agitation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Paranoia and/or hallucinations
• Aggressive behavior
• Memory problems
• Depression

When chemical dependency develops, the individual who attempts to cut back or stop taking the drug will be swiftly introduced to the clonazepam withdrawal symptoms list of misery.  Withdrawing from benzodiazepines can present life-threatening symptoms and should never be attempted alone.  For a safe and secure detox and withdrawal the individual should always undergo the detox process in a medically monitored facility.

Clonazepam Withdrawal Symptoms List and Timeline

The clonazepam withdrawal symptoms list includes an array of highly unpleasant and often unpredictable physical and psychological symptoms.  Because of this, doctors will prescribe a tapering program to slowly wean the individual off the drug and reduce the dangers of withdrawal.  Clonazepam has a long half-life, so the withdrawal symptoms won’t be noticed for a day or two.  In most cases, symptoms will peak between 5-14 days, and then slowly subside over the coming weeks.

The severity of the symptoms will depend on the length of time the individual was taking the drug, and the dosage levels that were consumed. What are the  Withdrawal symptoms from Clonazepam?

• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Hallucinations
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Suicidal ideation

The threat of seizures and suicide attempts are serious withdrawal symptoms associated with clonazepam.  A medical detox will provide the constant supervision of withdrawal symptoms and medications to manage them.

Treatment for Clonazepam Addiction

Recovering from a clonazepam addiction does not end with detox and withdrawal.  Without addressing the underlying mental health issues or behavioral patterns in a professional addiction treatment program, the individual will quickly relapse.  An inpatient or outpatient program can help the individual overcome the addictive behaviors and thought patterns through making systemic changes in how they respond to stress or disordered thinking.

Generally, treatment for clonazepam addiction or dependency will include several types of therapy.  These might include:

• Talk therapy using cognitive behavioral therapy
• Group counseling discussing topics related to addiction and relapse prevention
• Family therapy if indicated
• Recovery groups, like A.A. 12-step program or SMART Recovery
• Experiential therapies, such as art therapy or yoga
• Medication management if needed

Rehab for Clonazepam Addiction

The Treatment Specialist will connect you to a treatment center that provides assistance for individuals seeking treatment for clonazepam, or Klonopin, addiction.  Some who attempt to stop taking the drug quickly experience the clonazepam withdrawal symptoms list in its entirety, realizing they will need help with detox and withdrawal.  For guidance and support in finding the right clonazepam detox and treatment program, contact a Treatment Specialist today at (866) 644-7911.