Irving Klonopin
In recent years, a new kid on the block of potentially dangerous prescription medications has emerged. Klonopin, a sedative in the benzodiazepine family, has become responsible for more emergency room visits than the opiate family of drugs, including OxyContin and even heroin. Specifically developed to treat epilepsy, Klonopin is now routinely prescribed for everything from anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and panic attacks to restless legs syndrome and sleep sex. It is also extremely addictive, and taking this drug for longer than a few weeks can lead to a serious physical dependence. To learn more about the effects of a Klonopin addiction and how to treat it and find treatment centers, please contact Irving drug treatment centers today at (877) 804-1531.
How Does Klonopin Work?
Like many benzodiazepines, or benzos, doctors and scientists aren't entirely sure exactly how this drug affects the brain. They know that when taken, it has a settling effect on the electrical activity inside the brain. This explains why the drug may stop seizures, but when it is abused by a person with normal electrical activity occurring in the brain, it can actually cause seizures, among other things. Some of the effects of abusing it include:
- Headaches or migraines
- Difficulty sleeping
- Lack of focus and concentration
- Memory problems
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Slurred speech
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Lack of appetite
- Depression
- Hostility or aggression
- Loss of inhibitions
The first use causes a feeling of euphoria, or a high, that leads many first-timers to want to use it again. After a while, the body develops a physical dependence, and the electrical circuitry in the brain doesn't work properly without the drug. Quitting suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as increased heart rate, seizures, anxiety, insomnia, and even a temporary loss of grip on reality. Both overdose and withdrawal can cause death.
Long-Term Health Effects of Klonopin Abuse
As a benzodiazepine user begins to develop a tolerance for the drug, larger and larger doses are consumed in order to achieve the same high. Some of the effects of abuse listed above may not appear for several months or even years of use, but as the addiction progresses so do the negative health effects. Eventually, symptoms such as memory loss, lack of inhibition, and even drooling may seem like a normal part of life for addicts. In addition, long-term use can worsen existing conditions, such as asthma or high blood pressure, and may even cause mental health disorders like depression or anxiety.
Signs of Addiction
The signs of a benzodiazepine addiction often start suddenly and progress quickly, but it may take the family of an addict some time to realize that something is going on. For a Klonopin addiction, as well as for similar drugs such as Xanax or Ativan, look for the following signs:
- Extreme sleepiness
- Severe mood swings, especially depression and aggression
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Difficulty remembering things
- Zombie-like behavior
The signs of any addiction, such as personality changes, loss of interest in hobbies, and a changing circle of friends, also apply.
Addiction Treatment
Benzodiazepines have some of the most painful withdrawal symptoms of all types of drugs, possibly because of the way they affect the brain's communication with the nervous system. An alarming number of people withdrawing from the drug have committed suicide, so it is vital to receive addiction treatment rather than trying to quit cold turkey at home. For some patients, very gradual reduction of dosage over a period of several months is the best way to detox. For many, an addiction treatment center offers the best chance of successful recovery.
Klonopin is one of the most dangerous prescription medications on the market when it is improperly used, and a treatment center could very well mean the difference between life and death for many addicts. If you or a loved one is struggling with Klonopin, don't hesitate to seek the medical help you need today. Call Irving treatment centers at (877) 804-1531 today and hear your options.