Clonazepam Addiction
What Is Clonazepam Addiction?
Clonazepam addiction (more commonly known as Klonopin addiction) is very serious. Many people think that there aren’t many dangers associated with taking clonazepam because it is a prescription drug. Some people don’t even realize that clonazepam addiction exists because it is a ‘legal’ drug. This is far from the truth.
What Is Clonazepam?
Clonazepam, more commonly known as Klonopin, is classified as a depressant and a schedule IV narcotic. It is a benzodiazepine and is similar to drugs such as Ativan, Valium, and Xanax. Clonazepam is most commonly used to treat anxiety and panic attacks.
Clonazepam addiction can happen quickly because of the euphoric and relaxing feeling it provides for the user. A person also develops a tolerance quickly and will soon need more clonazepam to get the desired effect.
Clonazepam Abuse and Side Effects
The most common side effects of clonazepam abuse are:
- Drowsiness
- Euphoria
- Dizziness
- Impaired coordination, balance, and other motor functions
- Slurred speech
Many people also abuse this drug even if they do not have a prescription. One of the biggest problems with Klonopin addiction is that people who take this drug are often mixing it with other substances. It is often used in conjunction with cocaine and other stimulants because the user needs a drug to counteract the stimulant effects of whatever drugs they are using.
Cocaine and other stimulants actually increase the sedative effects of clonazepam and makes an overdose much more likely.
Combining a stimulant and a depressant also puts much more pressure on your heart and causes an extreme increase in the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes.
Signs of Klonopin Overdose
Like any drug or medication, Klonopin can be very dangerous amd overdose does happen.
- extreme drowsiness
- slurred speech
- slow and labored
- breathing
- loss of consciousness
- coma
- death
Someone suffering from clonazepam addiction or dependence should always seek medical attention if they are trying to stop taking the drug. If a person tries to stop taking clonazepam too quickly, they can suffer from withdrawal and have seizures, which can be extremely dangerous and fatal.
Other Klonopin withdrawal symptoms can include:
- panic attacks
- loss of memory
- dizziness
- faster than normal heartbeat
- irritability
- seizures
- paranoia
- hallucinations/delusions
- vivid nightmares
- suicidal thoughts
Withdrawal symptoms are different for everyone and last longer for some people than others, but these symptoms can be very severe.
Clonazepam Addiction and Alcohol
Clonazepam abuse/addiction can be extremely dangerous, and a user should never mix it with alcohol or any other kind of narcotic. Many deaths occur because people are mixing substances and don’t realize how dangerous it is. Clonazepam overdose is considered rare, but the combination of clonazepam and other substances makes the possibility of overdose much more realistic. The clonazepam alcohol combination should be avoided at all costs.
Snorting Klonopin is also common for people who are abusing the drug. This causes the drug to flow into the person’s bloodstream faster than intended, and it can be very dangerous.
Although clonazepam is often prescribed to people and used correctly, the abuse of this drug and other prescription drugs is increasing very quickly. People must realize that prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as illicit ‘street’ drugs. Just because they are legal and prescribed by a doctor does not mean they are safe and cannot be abused.