Clonazepam Detox and Withdrawal
Clonazepam belongs to a group of prescription medications called benzodiazepines. It is commonly referred to as Klonopin and indicated for the treatment of various seizure and panic disorders. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that roughly 10 to 12 percent of Americans take prescription benzodiazepines annually. Healthcare professionals are urged to exercise caution when prescribing these drugs for a prolonged period. Clinical research is yet to investigate their efficacy over extended periods beyond nine weeks. When patients overuse or misuse clonazepam, dependency is highly probable due to the nature of its active ingredient. You can get answers on how to deal with cases of Klonopin abuse or dependency by calling .
Addiction
Klonopin and other benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants. Doctors prescribe these drugs quite often, but with strict controls. Benzodiazepines are safe medicaments, when used appropriately with close monitoring of patients. Alternative options to this antidepressant include barbiturates, which are even more addictive by nature.
Clonazepam dependency often starts with tolerance to small dosages. The user experiences diminished effects from taking the same dosage he or she initially began using. Taking larger doses for longer-than-recommended periods gradually leads to physical dependency and addiction. Generally, Klonopin addiction is characterized by difficulty controlling usage, compulsive intake of the pills, persistent use despite possible side effects, and incessant cravings for more. If someone close to you is addicted to clonazepam, take a positive step to assist his or her recovery by calling ; you can find out about clonazepam detox centers near you.
Clonazepam Detox
The first step in clonazepam treatment is detox. Drug detoxification is necessary, since rehabilitation is impossible with the ingredients still coursing through one’s veins. Before this process commences, the user must meet with a drug addiction psychiatrist to provide relevant and honest information about his or her history of usage. It is common for Klonopin addicts to use methamphetamine or alcohol to heighten the drugs’ effects. Concurrent use of these drugs with clonazepam makes the detox process more challenging. Thus, patient honesty is necessary at this juncture of treatment.
Actual detoxification of drugs from the system takes different forms. Addiction therapists prefer to work on a case-by-case basis when developing a detox regimen. Most of the time, it is impossible to make patients go cold turkey, or completely deny them the drug, to flush it out of their system. This often results in acute withdrawal symptoms that can endanger the patient’s life. The recommended approach to detox is gradual withdrawal and reduction of dosages, coupled with replacement by an antagonist ingredient; this is often the approach taken by clonazepam detox centers. This detox system is effective and useful for managing addiction, with minimal time spent at a clonazepam withdrawal treatment facility.
Klonopin Withdrawal, Treatment and Management
Clonazepam stays in the body for longer periods than other benzodiazepines. Typically, this period ranges from 18 to 50 hours, while withdrawal symptoms manifest after 24 to 72 hours. These symptoms intensify after five to seven days and then taper off for a few days before starting over. It is essential for the clonazepam withdrawal treatment facility to monitor patients carefully during this stage to ensure a smooth transition to sobriety. You may contact us at for guidelines about choosing appropriate clonazepam detox centers in your state of residence.
“Once a patient successfully completes a clonazepam detox program, aftercare and management are necessary to prevent relapse.”Successful treatment for Klonopin addiction requires a multidisciplinary approach. Many times, patients taking the drug for panic disorders may also have other mental health problems. It is imperative to find ways of treating pre-existing complications, so the patient does not have to revert to using benzodiazepines. Alternative therapies for panic disorders will also help prevent the likelihood of relapse.
Once a patient successfully completes a clonazepam detox program, aftercare and management are necessary to prevent relapse. The level of aftercare monitoring and screening depends on patient’s degree of dependency on the drug. Therefore, it is important for a psychiatrist to assess the patient after detox and recommend the next line of action. This usually entails one or all of the following behavioral therapies:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy. The addict is taught various skills and techniques to avoid temptation, through role-playing and talk therapy.
- Family support therapy. Close family members and loved ones participate in counseling sessions together with the addict to learn ways they can offer support and avoid conflict.
- Contingency therapy. Recovering users undergo voluntary screening to monitor usage and receive motivational rewards for remaining clean.
- Motivational therapy. Recovering clonazepam users learn extra life skills and develop hobbies to prevent them from being idle and reverting to drug use.
According to the National Administration on Drug Abuse, an estimated 16 million Americans reportedly used prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines for non-medical purposes in 2010. Recreational use of central nervous system antidepressants is risky and can lead to tolerance and addiction. Nevertheless, clonazepam withdrawal treatment facilities can help users detoxify from the Schedule IV drug and return to normal life. Feel free to call us at , for information regarding clonazepam detox centers and withdrawal facilities near you.
Factoids:
- The US Department of Justice reports that 73 percent of Klonopin users usually end up abusing alcohol and other drugs.
- Healthcare professionals can prescribe a maximum of five clonazepam refills every six months, and patients can receive oral prescriptions for direct use.