Dangers of Klonopin Detox and How to Avoid Them
Although not as popular as Xanax, Klonopin is quickly rising in the ranks of benzodiazepines. Klonopin is usually prescribed for anxiety. When it is taken properly, it generally poses no danger of addiction. Unfortunately, it is possible to become tolerant and abuse this anti-anxiety medication. Abuse is quickly followed by addiction and the need for detox.
Since Klonopin addiction has a high chance for relapse and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, it is easy to see why treatment is the smart option for Klonopin detox.
Dangers of Klonopin Detox
According to the National Library of Medicine, when used correctly even the detox from benzodiazepine derivatives like Klonopin are relatively safe. Unfortunately, the same source reports that when the drug is abused and stopped suddenly it can become very dangerous.
Confusion
Severe confusion can cause accidents. These accidents can sometimes be very severe causing grave harm to you or others.
Depression
During detox, depression and anxiety can be extreme. These two symptoms together create a recipe for suicidal thoughts or actions. While most of the time you do not act on these feelings, some people have.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations can make you see, hear, feel, and even smell things that are not real. This is dangerous because it can cause you to act on these hallucinations and depending on what you are hallucinating, it can cause other symptoms to feel worse.
Irregular heart rate
An irregular heart rate or arrhythmia is very dangerous. If you heart is out of rhythm, you can go into cardiac arrest.
Relapse
One danger that many do not give enough credit to is the risk of relapse. The risks posed by relapse are twofold. One you are continuing your addiction and two you run the risk of overdose due to decreased tolerance.
Avoiding the Danger with Detox Treatment
Fortunately, you can avoid these dangers by using a detox facility to help you.
Tapering
Tapering is a gradual reduction of medication to wean off it without going into full detox. This is a common practice with many drugs like benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine derivatives, and opiates.
According to the San Mateo Health Department, benzodiazepines like Klonopin should be done at a 25 percent reduction every two weeks. This allows the body to adjust to the reduction instead of reacting to it.
Like most drug treatments, tapering has its drawbacks. The most common drawback is that tapering sometimes takes months. If someone is a determined addict, they do not follow the reduction schedule.
Medication assisted detox
Medication assisted detox is another way doctors can use to help you get off Klonopin. In medication assisted detox, the treatment center gives you supportive medications to ease the symptoms of withdrawal.
Replacement medication
Replacement medications are often provided for those who wish to detox off a benzodiazepine onto a less addictive drug. Usually a treatment center will replace these drugs with other anti-anxiety medications but in severe cases, another less addictive benzodiazepine might be used.
Finding a Klonopin Detox Center
You can find a Klonopin detox center by simply calling 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?). We can help you find the detox center you need to be safely free of Klonopin.