Klonopin Detox

What Is Klonopin Detox?

Klonopin detox is the first step towards recovery from Klonopin addiction. Klonopin, or Clonazepam, is a prescription anticonvulsant Benzodiazepine that is used to treat symptoms of anxiety, seizure disorders, insomnia, and panic attacks. The medication produces a mild tranquilizing effect and works by calming the brain and nerves. Klonopin influences gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain. This slows down the Central Nervous System (CNS), which in turn decreases nervousness and agitation and elicits a sense of calm and relaxation. Klonopin is recommended to only be prescribed for short periods of time. When this substance is taken for an extended duration, the body adjusts to the increased amount of GABA that Klonopin provides and causes the development of a tolerance. This tolerance to the substance results in the user taking more of the drug and more often to achieve the same results. When taken illicitly for recreational purposes or at higher doses than prescribed, Klonopin produces a relaxing, euphoric high.

The first step in treating a Klonopin addiction is detox, or detoxification. Detox is used to safely rid the body of the Benzodiazepine drug so that a user may proceed to the next stage of addiction treatment. Klonopin detox should never be done alone or without the presence of a medical professional because the effects of withdrawal can be dangerous. In addition to experiencing withdrawal symptoms, the medical symptoms that Klonopin was originally prescribed to treat often reoccur and become worse during detox.

The Process Of Klonopin Detox

Detoxing from Klonopin generally requires assistance from a physician who will develop a tapering-off schedule to slowly wean the body off the drug. Tapering off Klonopin involves progressively reducing the dose over the course of 1 – 3 weeks until use eventually stops completely. The dose is usually cut down every day or every other day until the person is completely weaned off the medication. This slow taper will allow time for the body to regulate brain chemistry as the Benzodiazepine drug gradually leaves the system. Quitting Klonopin “cold turkey” or abruptly stopping use is never recommended, as once physical or psychological dependence has developed, discontinuation will be accompanied by symptoms of withdrawal. Sudden withdrawal from Klonopin produces a stronger set of symptoms and rebound anxiety than weaning use. Tapering off the medication allows for a user’s dependence to slowly decrease and, in turn, lessens the extremity of withdrawal, reduces the risk of dangerous complications like seizures, and actually speeds up the withdrawal process.

Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms

People who are dependent on Klonopin and stop using the drug are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild to severe and last for up to 4 weeks. The severity of withdrawal depends on a number of factors, including an individual’s dependency on the drug, timeframe of use, how they used the drug, whether they abused other drugs with Klonopin, and psychological state.

Symptoms of Klonopin withdrawal include:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Difficulty concentrating
• Muscle aches
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Hallucinations
• Panic attacks
• Seizures

Many people will experience the withdrawal symptom of rebound anxiety after discontinuing use. This anxiety can be low-level nervousness or can be severe and include panic attacks. Other severe symptoms of withdrawal, such as seizures and hallucinations, often only occur in people who have taken high doses of the drug for an extended period of time.

Duration Of Klonopin Withdrawal

The timeline of Klonopin withdrawal depends on a number of factors, including how long the user abused the drug, how large the dose they took was, how they took the drug, any underlying mental or medical health issues, and whether they abused other substances. Klonopin has a long half-life and the lengthy withdrawal can typically be divided into two stages: acute and post-acute. For the majority of users, acute symptoms will usually peak around between 1.5 to 2 weeks after the last dose. During this initial stage, an individual will experience the majority of the common withdrawal side effects that will then gradually fade. However, certain symptoms, known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS), such as anxiety, depression, and mood swings can last up to 12 to 18 months before subsiding.

Klonopin Withdrawal Timeline
Days   1-3	This is typically when the first symptoms of withdrawal begin to appear. During the first 24-48 hours, former users begin to experience mild anxiety and other mood changes. Others may also start to notice trouble sleeping and start to feel flu-like symptoms such as nausea and sweating.
Days   7-14	Withdrawal symptoms from Klonopin start to peak in one to two weeks from the last dose. As the body attempts to adjust without Klonopin, recovering users will experience severe anxiety, drug cravings, and irritability during this time. People that abruptly quit use of the drug may also experience intense body tremors, uncontrollable vomiting, hallucinations, or seizures.
Weeks 3-4	Symptoms of withdrawal typically last about three to four weeks. Towards the end of the third week, most physical symptoms begin to subside, but intense drug cravings can begin to appear. Additionally, other psychological symptoms such as mood swings and anxiety can continue.
Months 2+	The worst of withdrawal symptoms are typically over at this point. Any remaining symptoms will continue to fade over time. However, for some, depression and anxiety may continue for up to several weeks or months before they subside.

Getting Help With Klonopin Detox

Detox is crucial for a full recovery from addiction. The discomfort of withdrawal associated with the Klonopin detox process can be successfully moderated with medical care. Medically-supervised detox not only increases the likelihood of a successful transition to rehab, but also facilitates a safe and supportive environment for those recovering from Klonopin addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with a dependency on Klonopin, contact a treatment provider to learn about rehab options and find a detox center today.