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Klonopin Withdrawal and Detox

Any time a person becomes physically dependent on a drug, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms occur when the body becomes reliant on a substance for normal operation and then the discontinuation or a reduction in dosage creates physical discomfort as the body readjusts to life without the substance. Klonopin, the brand name for clonazepam, can significantly affect the central nervous system. When people no longer take Klonopin as prescribed, and begin misusing the drug, the body often reacts negatively and will attempt to detox itself which will lead to withdrawal symptoms occurring.

If someone is misusing Klonopin, or they stopped misusing the drug and are now experiencing withdrawal symptoms, know that withdrawal and detox are first steps in the recovery process. Because these withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable the can create doubt about about starting a rehabilitation program. Ultimately though, it’s best to seek professional help to deal with the detoxification process and the symptoms that come along with withdrawal.

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What is Klonopin Withdrawal?

Klonopin withdrawal symptoms are the result of the body getting used to life without the drug. Any time that the body undergoes a significant change, it needs time to adjust. When using drugs such as Klonopin, the body must re-adjust because the central nervous system was affected by the dosage.

Klonopin is often prescribed to treat insomnia, seizures, epilepsy, and other disorders. When a person goes through Klonopin withdrawal, they can experience something called “rebound effects.” These effects are described as intensified withdrawal symptoms, often similar to symptoms that people took Klonopin to treat in the first place. People suffering from rebound effects can experience intense sleeplessness, anxiety, seizures or panic attacks.

Klonopin withdrawal can be extremely dangerous, especially if they are experienced without any medical supervision. The danger is due to the symptoms associated with the process. However, there are safe treatment methods to help mitigate these uncomfortable symptoms.

Klonopin (Clonazepam) Withdrawal Symptoms and Side Effects

Withdrawing from the use of any drug, including Klonopin, is often one of the most challenging aspects of rehabilitation. As the brain becomes dependent on Klonopin, it becomes tougher to stop the dosage. It’s often not recommended that people take Klonopin for longer than a few weeks, because doing so increases the likelihood of becoming physically and psychologically dependent on it.

Withdrawal symptoms can be wide-ranging, with up to 40 different side effects associated with Klonopin. Some of the most common physical symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Increased body temperature
  • Hallucinations
  • Irritability
  • Coordination problems
  • Insomnia
  • Seizures
  • Tremors
  • Increased pulse

Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms

Physical withdrawal symptoms are not the only obstacles to overcome when suffering from Klonopin addiction. Psychological symptoms often occur a few days after physical withdrawal begins, and these effects include:

  • Panic
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Hostility or aggression
  • Confusion
  • Irritability
  • Intense dreams
  • Drug cravings

These symptoms can be very serious and often require people experiencing them to seek mental health treatment. The Recovery Village offers Klonopin addiction treatment throughout the country and can provide additional care for co-occurring disorders.

Klonopin Withdrawal Timelines and Durations

Not everyone will experience Klonopin withdrawal the same way, so the withdrawal timeline varies for each person. However, the typical Klonopin withdrawal process includes three main phases, which can occur both during and after detoxification:

  • Early withdrawal
  • Acute withdrawal
  • Post-acute withdrawal

Early Withdrawal

During the early withdrawal phase, people often experience rebound symptoms which are similar to the symptoms that the Klonopin was initially taken to treat, such as anxiety or insomnia. This withdrawal phase usually begins within a day or two, around the time of the last dosage completely leaving the bloodstream. For people who are severely dependent on Klonopin, early withdrawal symptoms can be extreme. Some people may experience seizures or large increases in blood pressure. Early withdrawal symptoms often subside after four days.

Acute Withdrawal

The stage following early withdrawal from Klonopin is called acute withdrawal. During this stage, people may experience the majority of the symptoms, both physical and psychological, that are associated with withdrawal. Headaches, dizziness and confusion are common during this stage. Other symptoms include mood swings, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.  Acute withdrawal can last for two weeks to three months, and this is primarily based on the level of dependency of the individual.

Post-Acute Withdrawal

The post-acute withdrawal phase is also called protracted withdrawal. While this phase does not happen for everyone suffering from Klonopin withdrawal, if it does occur, the phase often includes depression, anxiety and panic attacks. These symptoms can last for long periods of time after dosage stops and is the most common for people who misused Klonopin at consistently high levels and in large doses. In many cases, people who experience post-acute withdrawal should seek mental health treatment to help cope with these symptoms.

Factors Affecting Klonopin Withdrawal

There are many factors that affect Klonopin withdrawal. Depending on the person, Klonopin withdrawal could take longer or vary in severity. Klonopin withdrawal times can vary based on how long a person was dependent on the drug, the level of dosage, and other aspects, including:

  • Age
  • Height and weight
  • History of drug misuse
  • Whether there are any co-occurring disorders
  • If Klonopin was prescribed to treat any issues such as insomnia or seizures

Another factor that can affect Klonopin withdrawal is the type of treatment used during the process. Many people opt out of medical supervision and attempt a “cold turkey” detox or an at-home detox. These two options typically increase the discomfort  and makes withdrawal more challenging. Medical experts recommend undergoing the withdrawal process in a detoxification facility because it’s one of the safest methods for coping with the symptoms that are associated with Klonopin withdrawal.

Klonopin Detox

Detoxification from Klonopin requires removing all of the toxins from the body and withstanding common withdrawal symptoms, which can begin as early as a few days after the last dosage. Some of these symptoms could last up to two years, although the detoxification process is usually finished within a month.

The length of withdrawal time varies for each person and there is no exact process for Klonopin detoxification. Some people might need a longer detoxification if they had a particularly severe Klonopin dependence, among other factors. One of the best ways to avoid prolonged withdrawal symptoms is through a medical detox program, which often includes tapering down the drug dosage, rather than attempting a home detox or utilizing the cold turkey approach.

Typically, the timeline for Klonopin detoxification is:

  • Week 1: During the initial days following the last dose of Klonopin that a person took, they will start to show some of the milder symptoms associated with withdrawal. These often begin with mood changes and sleeping problems.
  • Week 2: The initial two weeks fare when Klonopin withdrawal symptoms tend to peak. These are the most challenging time in detox for people going through withdrawal. There is a combination of physical and psychological symptoms for many people, ranging from anxiety and headaches to nausea.
  • Weeks 3 and 4: For many people who are in detox, weeks 3 and 4 usually represent when the intensity of withdrawal symptoms lessen. There may still be symptoms, but the most challenging aspect of detox and withdrawal is usually over by this point.

Detox Process

Many medical detox programs that are focused on how to safely manage withdrawal symptoms will slowly taper clients off of Klonopin. While this is not used for all clients, it’s a common strategy. The tapering process can take months if the client took high doses or if clients took Klonopin for a long time

A typical tapering process reduces doses down by 0.5 mg every two weeks. Once clients are taking only 1 mg per day, the dosage can be decreased by 0.25 mg each week. The medical team will then work toward completely stopping the dosage

Many people attempt at-home detox plans and try to taper off without medical supervision. This can be extremely dangerous because each person is different and the tapering schedule can vary. That’s why going to a detox facility, such as one with The Recovery Village, is strongly recommended. Along with receiving medical assistance from a trained staff, clients can also receive therapy to treat any co-occurring disorders or other addictions, because withdrawals from different types of drugs and substances must be treated differently.

Klonopin Detox Program

Klonopin is a commonly misused prescription drug. Since Klonopin treats insomnia, seizures and other common issues, it is often prescribed for people. That prescription could create a dependency, even if people follow their doctor’s orders. However, Klonopin addiction is more common among people who misuse the drug, either in addition to a prescription or without one.

Undergoing detoxification for Klonopin is an important step toward recovery. The Recovery Village has rehabilitation facilities and provides detox programs at locations throughout the country. A team of doctors and nurses assists clients through the withdrawal phase of rehabilitation and can provide a solid foundation for the next steps of recovery.

If you or a loved one struggle with drug addiction, call The Recovery Village today and speak with an associate. They are ready to help you begin the Klonopin withdrawal and detoxification process. Telephone calls are free and confidential. Take the first step toward recovery by calling, today.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

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