Some of us deal with a lot of pressures on a day-to-day basis. From school to work, family or marital problems, the stress of wondering if we will be able to keep food on the table or pass that exam that will determine if we graduate with a degree. We all have stressors, and some of us may develop anxiety to the point of exhaustion or insomnia; some of us to the point where we can’t function.
So needing a quick fix to get back to work or school, we visit the doctor to help us out. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications used to treat anxiety and prevent certain types of seizures. Some of the most commonly prescribed medications in this class are Klonopin and Valium. Why are they so addictive?
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What is Klonopin?
Klonopin, which is the brand name for clonazepam, is a long-acting benzodiazepine. It is used to slow down brain activity to help users feel relaxed. Initially, it was formulated to help people with epilepsy manage seizures. Later, the drug’s rapid and robust calming effects were also recognized to treat panic attacks. Klonopin is often prescribed to ease anxiety and withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and other addictive substances. Doctors may also prescribe Klonopin for short-term insomnia. Slang terms for Klonopin include k-pins, tranks, downers, or benzos.
Klonopin isn’t generally recommended for long-term use because of its addictive potential. The drug has a relatively long half-life or length of time the drug is active in the body.
What is Valium?
Valium is a medication that has similar properties and is also a long-acting benzodiazepine. Valium is most often prescribed to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures, and it is also used to ease uncomfortable symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Valium works by diminishing hyperactive brain function to relieve severe stress and anxiety.
Like Klonopin or any other benzo, it can become an addiction if not taken as prescribed.
Similar to any medication or substance that is taken frequently, you become dependent and addicted. Some telltale signs of an addiction to Klonopin and Valium are:
- Intense cravings for the drug
- Isolation from family and friends
- Continued use despite problems caused by the drug
- Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
- Ignoring obligations
- Developing legal or financial issues
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
When tolerance to both medications has been developed, a user will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop.
For the use of Klonopin, Just like any other substance, the severity of your withdrawal will depend on many factors:
- Your current Klonopin dose
- How long you’ve been taking it
- Whether you regularly mix it with other drugs or alcohol
- Your age and physical health
- And more
The withdrawal symptoms of Klonopin and Valium are very similar to withdrawal from alcohol. Both are probably the worst withdrawal you could experience and the only one you could die from if you don’t have supervised medical detox. You can feel anxious and have flu-like symptoms, and they can be severe or mild, and they can come and go.
Physical manifestations of Klonopin and Valium withdrawal can include:
- Hyperventilation
- Troubled sleeping (nightmares, waking in the night)
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Tremors
- Dizziness or unsteadiness
- Muscle aches and pains
- Blurred vision or other visual disturbances
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears or hearing a sound that isn’t there)
- Grand mal seizures
The psychological symptoms of Klonopin and Valium withdrawal can include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability and agitation
- Insomnia
- Panic attacks
- Restlessness
- Nightmares
- Strange bodily sensations
- Depression
- Abnormal perceptual changes (things touch, taste, or feel different)
- Problems concentrating
- Trouble remembering things
- Delusions
- Confusion
- Auditory or visual hallucinations
- Delirium
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), more than 30 percent of overdoses involving opioids also involve benzodiazepines, a type of prescription sedative commonly prescribed for anxiety or to help with insomnia. Benzodiazepines (sometimes called “benzos”) work to calm or sedate a person by raising the level of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain. Common benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and clonazepam (Klonopin), among others.
Both opioids and benzos sedate and suppress the users’ breathing, which is very dangerous and at more risk of an overdose, yet are very commonly prescribed together.
Allure Detox is Here to Help
Withdrawal symptoms from benzos can be uncomfortable and painful. So much that most addicts don’t get help and continue the addiction cycle. At Allure Detox, we believe you shouldn’t be afraid of getting off benzodiazepines because of the possible withdrawal symptoms. Through our Valium and Klonopin detox in West Palm Beach, Florida, we can help you get off benzodiazepines comfortably and safely.