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Klonopin can have short-term therapeutic benefits when taken as prescribed. In general, long-term use is not advised because of the high risk for developing tolerance, dependence, and addiction.1
It is dangerous to use Klonopin without a prescription from a physician. People who abuse the drug without a prescription, or have a prescription but abuse it, may be at risk of addiction and health risks. Combining the medication with prescription pain medicines, over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, alcohol, and other sedatives can lead to overdose and possibly death.3
Addiction to Klonopin can lead to problems with relationships, employment, and both mental and physical health.4
Benzodiazepines like Klonopin interact with the GABA receptor—a protein complex on the surface of certain brain cells—and, in doing so, increase the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA at that receptor. The result is a relaxing or calming effect that can help ease insomnia or anxiety.3 This rewarding, calm feeling is why some people begin to misuse their Klonopin.
Other short-term effects of Klonopin use include but are not limited to:2,3
Long-term effects of Klonopin use include but are not limited to:4,5,6
In particular, benzodiazepines such as Klonopin can impair the brain’s ability to record and adapt to new information, which can impair learning.7
As mentioned above, long-term use also can lead to escalating tolerance, severe physiological dependence, and addiction.
Tolerance occurs when the person no longer responds to the drug in the same manner they initially responded. In other words, it takes a higher dose of the drug to achieve the same effects achieved before. The development of tolerance is not addiction, although many drugs that cause tolerance are addictive.8
Regular Klonopin use may lead to tolerance,4 and taking higher doses increases the risk of addiction.
Dependence can develop when Klonopin is used for an extended period of time. The brain gets used to receiving an outside substance that increases GABA’s inhibitory signaling activity. Once dependence occurs, and Klonopin levels drop, the central nervous system of the user is more prone to a state of abnormally high arousal and excitation, which can result in rebound restlessness, anxiety, and agitation. This mechanism underlies many of the potentially severe acute benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
Dependence is one sign that addiction may be present. But physical dependence and addiction do not necessarily occur together.9 Someone who is addicted will continue to use the drug despite problems in their life, such as poor health or relationship strain.
Someone who takes the drug as prescribed and develops dependence may need to be slowly tapered off under a doctor’s supervision.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur within a week of initially stopping or reducing use, usually peak within the first week, and begin to fade approximately 3-4 weeks after the last ingestion of the drug.4
Often, users unaware of the withdrawal risks will attempt to quit on their own. This could prove dangerous, as the risks of withdrawal from Klonopin can be moderate to severe, ranging from anxiety to seizures to death, if not handled properly.4 For this reason, a medically monitored detox or rehab facility is recommended to help monitor for and minimize complications from withdrawal.
Signs and symptoms of Klonopin withdrawal include but are not limited to:4
Some factors that may affect the intensity of Klonopin withdrawal include:
Cravings may occur when the user attempts to quit taking Klonopin, which may indicate a dependency and/or addiction to the substance. Cravings can be physical or psychological, and are usually a combination of both. They may continue for a varied period of time, and users will feel them to different degrees.
Addiction can have devastating physical, emotional, and psychological effects on your life. Some negative consequences of Klonopin addiction include:4,10
Many people who develop an addiction have a hard time quitting without professional help.
It’s quite common for people to struggle with mental health conditions such as anxiety and addiction. In 2014, 7.9 million adults had a substance use disorder (also known as an addiction) and another mental health issue. Having a substance use disorder and a mental health condition at the same time is known as comorbidity.11 Those with comorbidity, also known as dual diagnosis, should seek treatment programs that are equipped to deal with both issues.
Many programs also address underlying issues related to addiction such as self-esteem. Individuals may learn coping skills, eliminate addictive patterns and thinking, and improve their overall health and well-being. Most rehab programs are 30, 60, or 90 days or longer. But the amount of time a person spends in treatment often depends on their treatment goals, what their insurance will or will not cover, or what they can personally afford.
If you or someone you know is struggling with Klonopin abuse, our support specialists can provide information and resources to get you the help you need. We are available 24/7 to assist you.
