Klonopin Abuse

In the past, people drink excessive quantities of alcohol in order to get the desired buzz. For other alternatives, they would use herbs for a temporary high, like opiates and marijuana. With the discovery of numerous prescription drugs, there came a new surge of drug use and abuse. Klonopin is one of such drugs and used to treat anxiety, panic disorder, seizure and other disorders. 

When utilized for recreational purposes, Klonopin is used along with other types of prescription drugs to boost the pleasure experienced. Other than this, Klonopin is a very effective medication against the following:

·         Schizophrenia

·         Panic attacks

·         Anxiety disorders

·         Tourette Syndrome

·         RLS or Restless Leg Syndrome

·         Insomnia

·         Night terrors

·         Epilepsy

·         Chronic Fatigue Disorder

Klonopin Addiction

Teenagers, by far, are the ones who become prone to prescription drug abuse. According to studies, this is especially common among middle and upper class homes. Teenagers living in well-off homes can easily access prescription drug since their parents generally have generous health insurance, and drugs like Klonopin are conveniently procured. To add to this, though many high schools require screening for possible drug use, medications like Klonopin are not among the list of drugs included in the list being screened.

Klonopin, also known as K-pin, is hard to detect in the system, thus making it difficult to screen, unlike alcohol. This can be bought in streets for about $2 to $6 a pill. Since it is harder to identify its use, Klonopin has become popular among teenagers. With Klonopin, you can compare the feeling to that of being drunk. However, adverse effect is a lot greater compared to the ones experienced with alcohol intake, with increased risk when combined.

Another group known to be prone to Klonopin abuse are elderly people, aged 65 years old and above. Though they only comprise about 13% of the population in the United States, they still consist 1/3 of the people commonly prescribed with pain medication, Klonopin being one of the commonly prescribed drugs.

Danger of Klonopin Abuse

If you will take Klonopin according to your doctor’s prescription, you shouldn’t worry about facing serious problems. However, it is not unusual to experience a few side effects when taking the medication. The most common Klonopin side effects are as follows:

·         Impaired motor skills

·         Drowsiness

·         Dizziness

·         Impaired balance

·         Impaired coordination

·         Confusion

Rare Side Effects

·         Irritability

·         Impulsiveness

·         Excitement

·         Less inhibition

·         Headache

·         Rage

·         Drowsiness

·         Sluggishness

Damage 

Klonopin can result to a long-term damage if a person has already become dependent to it. He could face the risk of prolonged withdrawal symptoms where withdrawal period could be endured for months, or a lifetime in severe cases. This is because Klonopin has the power to permanently damage the brain. One of the most common abuse and withdrawal symptoms are:

·         Cramps

·         Tension

·         Muscle pain

·         Anxiety

·         Tinnitus

·         Insomnia

·         Personality change or moodiness

The above-mentioned symptoms are experienced mainly because of the lingering half-life of Klonopin. Simply put, the medication may still stay in the individual’s system, particularly the bloodstream.

The above-mentioned symptoms are experienced mainly because of the lingering half-life of Klonopin. Simply put, the medication may still stay in the individual’s system, particularly the bloodstream. However, this doesn’t pose any serious danger. The real problem lies when people take the drug and combine it with other substances, like alcohol. This is because the overall effect of Klonopin is intensified when combined with alcohol and other drugs.

Klonopin also becomes dangerous when it is abruptly stopped. Anyone who is on long-term Klonopin medication is considered mildly dependent on the drug. Unlike the side-effects which are generally mild, immediate withdrawal itself can be serious, even deadly. Withdrawal symptoms include:

·         Tremors

·         Irritability

·         Severe anxiety

·         Panic attacks

·         Seizure

·         Insomnia

·         Delirium Tremens or DT

Prevention

To avoid Klonopin abuse, medication uses must be monitored closely by doctors. For teenage users, it is the responsibility of parents to keep an eye of their children and carefully supervise the use of the drug. In order to avoid experimentation, Klonopin must be kept in a safe place, not easily accessible by anyone.