Klonopin Side Effects, Withdrawal, Overdose and Detox

Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at our affiliated facility at Level Up Detox Treatment Palm Beach. For some primary behavioral health treatment clients, medical detox may be required first. If you have a co-occurring severe substance abuse diagnosis, please contact us prior to beginning inpatient mental health therapy. Treatment services may vary. Please call us to learn which treatment options are most suited for your individual needs.


Klonopin (Clonazepam) It is an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic type of drug. It is used to prevent and control seizures and panic attacks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, warns that taking Klonopin can be addictive. Also, users may become physically and psychologically dependent on the drug. Therefore, a person should not attempt to quit cold turkey on their own due to the dangerous side effects or withdrawal.

Klonopin detox can be potentially fatal and requires medical treatment and supervision. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) [1], during the 7 years from 2005 to2011, almost a million (an estimated 943,032) emergency department
(ED) visits involved benzodiazepines alone or in combination with opioid pain relievers or alcohol and no other substances.

Klonopin Detox requires medical treatment and supervision
Klonopin Detox requires medical treatment and supervision

If a person is suffering from Klonopin addiction, they will experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and anxiety. These symptoms develop because the brain and other body systems have become chemically dependent on the drugs to function normally, is highly recommend to take the Klonopin detox process with medical help. Some people abuse the drug for its sedative effects, providing a false sense of relief. Moreover, it takes as little as 3 weeks to develop a dependence on Klonopin. When this happens, the user needs to keep taking the drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Even when taken as prescribed, Klonopin and other benzodiazepines can produce withdrawal symptoms after only 2-3 weeks of use. Chronic abuse of these medications increases the likelihood that you could experience severe withdrawal syndrome. Because withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and challenging to manage alone, you should consider entering a detox program. Klonopin detox is a treatment process for people who are suffering from acute intoxication and withdrawal.

Clonazepam Indications

Klonopin or Clonazepam is an approved medication to treat the following disorders:

  • Epileptic seizures
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Mania
  • Sleeping disorders
  • Migraine headaches
  • Hyperekplexia (being easily startled)
  • Acute psychosis
  • Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Nighttime teeth grinding

Given the various use of Klonopin in treating the above-mentioned disorders, this drug is prone to abuse. Moreover, an individual may develop tolerance to this drug after long-term use. Those who have already developed an addiction to other substances will likely develop an addiction to Klonopin as well, leading to its abuse.

Klonopin Side Effects by Likelihood and Severity

Common Side Effects

  • Muscle Weakness
  • Indigestion
  • Drowsiness
  • Inducing Of A Relaxed Easy State
  • Dizziness
  • Low Energy
  • Loss Of Muscle Coordination
  • Slurred Speech

Infrequent Side Effects’:

  • Confusion
  • Behavioral Problems
  • Abnormal Nervous System Function Affecting Alertness
  • Throat Irritation
  • Bronchitis
  • The Inability To Have An Erection
  • Cough
  • Diarrhea
  • Intense Abdominal Pain

Klonopin Withdrawal

A person who will need a Klonopin detox is usually physically and psychologically dependent or addicted to it. Dependence means that the body has become accustomed to the presence of the drug. Therefore, an individual needs to keep using it to feel normal to prevent Klonopin withdrawal effects.

Over time, a person can also build up a tolerance, which means they need to use more of the substance to achieve the same effects. The severity of withdrawal depends on several factors, including drug dependency, the time frame of use, and psychological state. Withdrawal symptoms can last up to 90 days.

Trying to suddenly quit or reduce the doses you are taking will commonly result in withdrawal. Some of the symptoms associated with Klonopin withdrawal are:

Some of the symptoms associated with Klonopin withdrawal are:

  • Tremors
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Confusion
  • Anxiety
  • Hallucinations
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Sweating
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Seizures
Klonopin Detox
Klonopin Detox Withdrawal

Klonopin Overdose

Klonopin’s rate of overdose deaths has risen over 500% in the past few decades. The abuse potential of these drugs is well-noted. However, Klonopin overdoses are not limited to people who intentionally misuse the medication. In many cases, it happens amongst patients who are taking Klonopin exactly as prescribed. But how is this possible?

Possible Causes of Klonopin Overdose

Klonopin is slower acting but longer-lasting than other benzodiazepines. Since it takes longer to feel the effects, it can result in users taking more than the recommended dosage. That paired with Klonopin’s staying power within the body, a person is more prone to accidental overdose.

Signs & Symptoms of Klonopin Overdose

  • Ataxia (loss of control of body movements)
  • Clammy skin
  • Coma
  • Drowsiness
  • Enlarged pupils
  • Shallow breathing
  • Slurred speech
  • Weak but fast pulse

The severity of these symptoms can vary, depending on many of the same factors that affect their metabolism. However, they are much more likely to be life-threatening if Klonopin was taken in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

Klonopin Detox Timeline

Days 1-3

The first signs during Klonopin Detox, appear one to three days after the last dose. commonly known as withdrawal. Mild anxiety and other mood changes start becoming noticeable. It may also be harder to fall asleep or get a full night’s rest.

Days 7-14

Withdrawal symptoms from Klonopin Detox start to peak in one to two weeks from the last dose. Anxiety and irritability are typical during this time. Also, those who quit cold turkey may experience intense body tremors, hallucinations, or seizures.

Weeks 3-4

Withdrawal symptoms start to fade in three to four weeks. It is still common to have symptoms like anxiety during this time. Some days may be harder than others, but the worst of Withdrawal is usually over at this point.

Months 2+

Mild withdrawal symptoms are still possible up to three months after the Klonopin detox recovery. Also, those with severe addictions are most likely to continue having noticeable symptoms. Tapering down a user’s Klonopin dosage can prevent prolonged symptoms.

As the first step in the recovery process, Klonopin detox helps the person quit using the drug as safely as possible. In addition, as the body clears the substance, a supervised detox program can help better manage the physical and psychological consequences of withdrawal.

The Dangers of Klonopin Detox at Home

Klonopin Detox at home is can be harmful, considering the risk of Klonopin withdrawal. If an individual develops withdrawal complications such as seizures, depression, anxiety, or other mental health symptoms, they will not have immediate access to necessary medical care. Additionally, if a person is unable to tolerate withdrawal symptoms, he or she may relapse, which only continues the cycle of addiction.

In general, one may not experience withdrawal symptoms from long-acting benzodiazepines such as Klonopin for up to a week after they stop using. Withdrawal symptoms tend to increase and peak during the second week, and then decrease substantially during the third and fourth weeks. The length of detox can vary from person to person. It depends on several factors such as dose, length of use, whether a person uses other substances, and unique physical makeup. In particular, you may have a higher chance of suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures and delirium, if you have taken high doses of Klonopin over a long period of time. Klonopin detox must bu supervised by a quality medical and clinical team.

Medically-Assisted Klonopin Detox

Long-time users of Klonopin and those who use the drug together with other types of drugs will likely experience a wide array of withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit. A substitute drug may help lessen the impact of withdrawal. However, this should be carefully monitored by doctors to ensure safety.

Generally, a gradual reduction may be the safest way to withdraw from Klonopin. However, this procedure is not always appropriate. Doctors often suggest rapid detoxification. In addition, rapid detoxification is done by abruptly ceasing the use of Klonopin to prevent the onset of withdrawals. Doctors typically use a selective benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, which affects the same receptors as Klonopin but minus the same withdrawals.

Overcoming Klonopin addiction can be achieved via a successful Klonopin detox procedure. Further treatment should be undertaken to address the effects of Klonopin addiction. Moreover, medically supervised detox increases the likelihood of a successful transition to rehab. Rehabs facilitate a safe and supportive environment for those recovering from addiction.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) are forms of therapy that may help clients to completely overcome Klonopin addiction. Furthermore, these sessions help identify the cause of addiction and teach skills on how to avoid triggers and stressors of your addiction.

We Level FL Mental Health Center: Primary Mental Health Treatment with Secondary Co-Occurring Treatment

We Level Up FL primary mental health center stands ready to help. Offering secondary treatment therapy for underlying problems like Klonopin Addiction often fuels negative behaviors. Taking that first step to get the help you deserve can be life-changing.

We understand how behavioral disorders and secondary co-occurring addiction diagnoses directly impact each other. We Level Up Florida can instill a support system through our mental health treatments that can make you feel valuable. Call us now for a free mental health assessment! 

Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at our affiliated facility at Level Up Treatment West Palm Beach.

Sources

[1]SAMHSA – https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/DAWN-SR192-BenzoCombos-2014/DAWN-SR192-BenzoCombos-2014.pdf