Klonopin (generic: clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine drug that was developed to treat seizures and, as a secondary use, to treat overactive brain processes and anxiety.
People who have anxiety disorders often have brain cells that are firing much too quickly, and they’re overwhelmed by the signals they’re receiving on a regular basis. Klonopin can temporarily mute that cacophony of information, allowing the person to feel somewhat calm and at peace.
People who take the drug properly, under the supervision of a doctor, might benefit from this specialized drug if they use it for specific conditions for very short periods of time. However, long-term use of this drug is highly discouraged, as it may result in dependence, respiratory depression (problems breathing), and addiction. Unfortunately, many people abuse this drug to feel relief from anxiety and then quickly become dependent. Integrated treatment for both Klonopin dependence and any underlying causes of this substance use problem can make a big difference and lead to a much better outcome.
Therapy for Unhealthy Klonopin Use
Klonopin and other benzodiazepine drugs carry a high risk for dependence, and withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to overcome without support. The first step to a healthy recovery may include detoxification services. A quality detox program, like the one at Michael’s House, offers licensed medical professionals to help ease this transition away from powerful drugs like Klonopin. A safe, medically-supervised detox can be the first step to creating a healthier start and a better outcome.
After detox, therapy is an important step to recovery. Overcoming an addiction to prescription drugs like Klonopin also often means dealing with the root causes that allowed the drug experimentation to begin. Dealing only with the addiction while leaving the triggers in place is a bit like cutting a weed off at the ground level. With the roots still digging into the nourishing soil, the curly leaves of the weed are sure to sprout once more. By addressing the roots, the entire plant is gone for good. Therapy can help people find their own addiction roots.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one form of therapy commonly used in addiction treatment programs. In this type of therapy, therapists ask their clients to pinpoint the people, places, and things that their minds associate with drug use. Further, therapists help clients take a closer look at the subconscious and conscious thoughts surrounding substance use and help treat the underlying causes of the unhealthy substance use.
For people who abuse Klonopin, those triggers might include:
Once people can identify the situations in which they’re likely to crave Klonopin, they can come up with a sophisticated plan they can put into use when the urge to use begins to grow. In time, they can thwart these use patterns before they’re allowed to blossom. While Klonopin addiction isn’t typically tied to mental illness, there are some people who develop addictions because they’re attempting to self-medicate their feelings of pain and discomfort. The euphoria Klonopin can deliver can seem like a tailor-made solution for people who have difficulty finding joy in everyday life.
Dual diagnosis programs (also known as integrated treatment programs) are designed for people who have both mental health issues and addiction issues. Therapy within these programs is designed to help clients understand how these two problems intersect and reinforce one another. It can be a remarkable intervention for people who are accustomed to handling their mental illnesses on their own, without help.
In therapy, participants learn effective techniques that might change their lives for good. In a study of a typical dual diagnosis program, published in the Journal World Psychiatry, researchers found more than two-thirds of people were able to achieve stable abstinence and improved social functioning when provided with therapy like this, just proving how revolutionary treatment like this might truly be.
The Role of Medication in Overcoming Addiction
While therapy plays a key role in helping people control an addiction, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that some people benefit from medication therapy in addition to talk therapy. People who abuse opioid medications like Vicodin, for example, might benefit from replacement medications that can fool the brain into believing it has access to the drugs it craves.
People who have depression or anxiety when they stop using Klonopin might also benefit from medication management, perhaps by using modern non-addictive antidepressants or non-addictive anxiety treatment aids.
Medication isn’t right for everyone, and some people may balk at the idea of using medications when their abuse of medication is what landed them in an addiction facility in the first place. Talking frankly with addiction therapy staff about these concerns is a good way to ensure that the right decisions are made about care and that proper treatment is provided at the right time to support healing. For some people, medications can smooth the road to recovery and lead to a quicker return to a happy life. For others, medications aren’t required.
Treatment for Klonopin Dependence
Klonopin can cause serious side effects if people who are addicted attempt to stop taking the drug on their own. Side effects can range from increased anxiety, physical illness, irrational thinking, and even seizures.
People who have valid prescriptions for Klonopin can start their healing journey by talking honestly with a reputable doctor who will safely aid in the detox process. Doctors might begin a taper away from the drug, and then provide clients with the names and numbers of treatment programs that can help. People who have been buying Klonopin from illegal dealers, however, might have more difficulty in following a program like this. They may not find a doctor willing to work with them and help them to find the right kind of care. For these people, searching for and then enrolling in a licensed inpatient addiction treatment program might be a better option. Here, they can have access to the help they’ll need in order to get well.
Finding a treatment facility for Klonopin can be as easy as running a search on the Internet. Most treatment facilities outline their program offerings online, describing the treatments they provide, as well as the philosophy that drives those treatments. With this information, families can compare their options and determine which type of program provides the kind of treatments that will best meet their needs over the long term. If other family members or friends have dealt with their own addiction issues, they might also be able to provide useful information about therapists, treatment programs and support groups they utilized in their own search for sobriety. Another option is to call our toll-free helpline at 760.548.4032. If Michael’s House isn’t the best treatment program for you, we will help you find the match that meets your needs.
Overcoming Denial about Klonopin Addiction
Therapy can also help people to overcome their denial about substance dependence or addiction. In motivational interviewing sessions, therapists ask clients a series of questions, such as:
- How does your Klonopin use help you succeed at work?
- How does Klonopin help you be a better parent?
- What do you want for your life in five years, and will Klonopin help you get it?
- Why do you think your addiction is acceptable or helpful?
Answering questions like this can be difficult, and in time, people might see that their addictions really are hurting their lives instead of helping them. People who go through a few sessions of motivational interviewing might emerge with a deeper understanding of addiction, and they might be more willing to enroll in formal Klonopin addiction treatment programs as a result.
Treatment for Klonopin and Clonazepam Addiction
If you are addicted to Klonopin, we know that you might feel isolated, alone and trapped. We’d like to help. Our inpatient program can help you wean off the drug in a safe and comfortable manner with the help of consulting physicians, and we’ll follow that up with a therapy that can help you learn more about how addictions develop and how they can be controlled.
If someone you love is addicted to Klonopin, we can provide you with information about our treatment facility that you can use in your intervention, allowing you to demonstrate that treatment really does work. Our recovery professionals can answer any questions you might have, and we’re happy to help you with anything you might need. Please call us at 760.548.4032 to find out more.
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