How to Detox From Clonazepam (Klonopin) Safely
Clonazepam, sold under Klonopin, is a medication used to prevent and treat panic disorder, seizures, and anxiety. This drug is a high-potency, long-acting benzodiazepine with several off-label indications, prescribed for insomnia, acute mania, and several other conditions. Like other benzos, Klonopin has also become a drug that is often misused and abused.
Clonazepam dependence and addiction creates the need for a medical detox for those looking to stop. Clonazepam withdrawal causes physical and psychological symptoms, some of which may last for months or even years following your last dose.
The goal is to complete the initial clonazepam detox and withdrawal period and then seek ongoing therapy — especially if symptoms of anxiety, depression, or another mental disorder are of concern.
What is a Clonazepam Detox?
A clonazepam detox is the process of slowly weaning your body off benzodiazepine. In a Klonopin detox, you will receive smaller doses of a benzodiazepine daily, under medical supervision.
Cessation is done slowly with a medication taper to ease the severity of withdrawal symptoms, some of which can be dangerous. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause seizures.
How Long Will a Clonazepam Detox Last?
When you stop using benzodiazepines, the withdrawal process will depend on several variables, including whether or not the drug is short- or long-acting.
For example, when withdrawing from short-acting benzos, like alprazolam, symptoms begin more quickly compared to long-acting benzos (within 1-2 days) but do not typically last as long (2-4 weeks compared to 2-8 weeks).
Clonazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine, so you can expect to experience symptoms within 2-7 days after your last dose, which will then continue for 2-8 weeks or longer.
To better understand this process, it’s important to consider clonazepam’s half-life, which is the time it takes for the amount of a drug’s active substance to reduce by half in your body.
Clonazepam’s half-life is fairly long, being 30 to 40 hours.
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms During a Clonazepam Detox?
When clonazepam is prescribed to patients, abrupt withdrawal is discouraged, especially among those taking this drug for extended periods or at high doses.
When you stop taking this drug, which your body and mind are dependent on, you will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms similar to what you would experience during alcohol withdrawal. You’ll feel agitated, edgy, and like you have the flu.
Common clonazepam withdrawal symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Depression
- Sleep issues/nightmares
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
In certain instances, particularly those who take high doses, more severe symptoms may develop, including seizures and psychotic reactions.
The severity of your symptoms will depend on various factors, including how long you have been taking clonazepam, the amount you’ve been taking, and whether you’re mixing it with other substances of abuse. Your mental health is also a key consideration.
The above symptoms are what are known as acute withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are often relatively short-lived as long as you stick to your withdrawal plan.
Once these symptoms subside, you can focus on the next step within the healing process. Symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) may develop at this time. This syndrome refers to a set of impairments that can persist for weeks, months, even years.
Common symptoms of PAWS include:
- Irritability
- Depressed mood
- Heightened anxiety
- Increased sensitivity to stress
- Poor sleep
- Cravings
The severity of these symptoms will fluctuate, disappearing only to reappear again.
If you were initially prescribed clonazepam for an underlying mental health disorder, rebound symptoms might develop. For example, symptoms of an anxiety disorder have since been kept under control because of clonazepam.
During the withdrawal period, your anxiety disorder symptoms may come back, being more severe than they used to be — which is why so many continue using, even if they no longer want to take clonazepam.
If you are a polydrug user, the clonazepam withdrawal process can become more complicated. However, continuing to use can be much more complicated and dangerous, especially if you consume alcohol regularly.
These substances are central nervous system depressants, increasing your risk of complications. If you have developed a physical dependence on both clonazepam and alcohol, you must seek professional assistance for the withdrawal process, especially when the possibility of seizures is a concern.
What Types of Treatment Are Used During a Clonazepam Detox?
There are several types of treatment used during a clonazepam detox and rehab program.
- Medical detox
- Medication management
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Nutrition
- Relapse prevention
Can You Detox from Clonazepam at Home or Not?
When clonazepam is prescribed to patients, abrupt withdrawal is discouraged, especially among those taking this drug for extended periods or at high doses.
When you stop taking this drug, which your body and mind are dependent on, you will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms similar to what you would experience during alcohol withdrawal.
Due to the more serious side effects, like hallucinations and seizures, it is not recommended to detox from clonazepam and other benzos at home.
You can discuss slowly tapering off of clonazepam with your primary care physician, or psychiatrist.
However, it isextremelyimportant that you are honest with them about how much you have been taking and if you are abusing any other substances (like alcohol).
Although medications can assist the withdrawal process, clonazepam withdrawal management alone is unlikely to lead to sustained abstinence.
How to Find a Clonazepam Detox Center Near Me
If you’re ready to begin the clonazepam detox process, it is highly recommended that you do so under the supervision of a professional healthcare team, especially if you’re at risk of complications.
Zinnia Health has locations throughout the country and is one of the top clonazepam detox centers.
If you are looking for the nearest location to you, Zinnia Health has a list of local detox facilities and addresses on our website. You can also contact us through our 24/7 hotline by calling (877) 554-0016 to find the closet detox center near you.
Not only will you remain as safe and comfortable as possible, but you will also have the support needed to transition to the next step of your recovery.
You are not alone. Contact a professional substance abuse center and mental health facility near you to get started today.
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