Addiction is a growing pandemic in the world. The number of addicted people in the world population is on the rise particularly with the increasing availability of these drugs. Today, people are addicted to anything from illegal drugs like heroin to prescription medication like cough syrup.
According to recent statistics, prescription medications are among the most abused drugs in the world. This is because they are easily available. Most people who become addicted to prescription drugs started out as patients of a certain condition treated by the drug before they eventually became dependent on the drug.
Klonopin is one of the prescription medications that is often being abused. Klonopin, also known as Clonazepam is a drug commonly prescribed for the treatment of seizures. Klonopin is usually prescribed at low doses especially for those who are using the drug for the first time. Over time, the doctor increases the dosage so as to find the right dosage. In most cases, a doctor will advise that the daily dose be split into three or four equal portions to be taken throughout the day.
As mentioned earlier, it is very possible to become addicted to prescription medication including Klonopin. Taking the drug for a long time can cause you to become dependent on it. On the other hand, you cannot simply decide to suddenly stop taking the drug or reduce the dosage too quickly because you may experience some severe withdrawal symptoms. It is therefore best to talk to your doctor before changing anything especially if you believe that you are becoming dependent.
How do you tell that you are addicted to Klonopin?
The first and greatest sign that you are addicted to Klonopin is when you begin to misuse it and use it in a way other than what it was prescribed for. For instance, self-medicating without a doctor’s knowledge or using it to treat another condition. Or perhaps taking the drug to create a euphoric high.
Abusing Klonopin will result in noticeable mental, physical and behavioral changes. An outside observer or yourself can see the changes. It is important for you to know about the major signs of Klonopin addiction so that you can quickly spot them and promptly get help.
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Cravings
When your abuse of Klonopin becomes more compulsive, you will likely find yourself having frequent and strong urges to use it. Your mind becomes so overwhelmed by thoughts of finding it and using it that you are unable to think of anything else. Cravings can disrupt your life. Do you find yourself joking or speaking about your need to use Klonopin? As you indulge more in taking the drug, you dig yourself deeper into substance use disorder.
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Tolerance
Tolerance simply means that you use a drug on a regular basis. Once you become tolerant, you no longer feel the sensations from smaller doses. To overcome this, you will find yourself increasing the dose you take. As a result, the risk for dependence and addiction increases.
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Dependence
Tolerance and dependence are similar in that they develop due to regular use of a drug. Dependence on Klonopin develops by frequently taking the drug. The degree of dependency is directly correlated to how regularly you take it. Drug dependency causes your body to develop a reliance on it especially the chemical changes produced.
Normally, your body runs on chemical processes. In the case of dependency, your body no longer produces optimal levels of its own chemicals but relies on the drug to fill this role.
Dependency can develop even when you are taking medication prescribed by a doctor. Dependency does not mean you are addicted. However, when it is accompanied by other signs of addiction, then you should be concerned.
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Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms are a result of abruptly stopping the use of Klonopin especially if you were physically dependent on the drug. Furthermore, withdrawal can occur even when you reduce the dosage especially when you were taking a significantly large amount. Some of the symptoms you may show are anxiety, tremors, headaches, insomnia, irritability, muscle cramps, panic attacks, sweating, tension and confusion.
Withdrawal from any drug including Klonopin is dangerous. Symptoms like convulsions, hallucinations, psychosis and seizures indicate severe Klonopin addiction. Are you experiencing any withdrawal symptoms mentioned? If you are, then you may be addicted to Klonopin.
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Drug seeking behavior
Drug seeking behavior is shown when a person expends a lot of energy and time to find and use a drug. For example, hoarding pills is a sign of drug seeking behavior. Stealing pills from family or friends is also a drug seeking behavior. When you find yourself stealing money to buy pills or illegally purchasing the pills from strangers, then you are addicted to Klonopin.
Sometimes, you may have the temptation to visit multiple doctors across states in an attempt to get a larger quantity of the drug. Faking anxiety or panic attacks to get a prescription is drug seeking behavior and an indication of addiction.
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Losing control over Klonopin abuse
One major sign that you may be addicted to Klonopin is when you find yourself unable to control your drug abuse. Here, you find yourself using the drug for longer periods than you intended and even unable to limit the amount you consume. At this stage, you may have tried to stop taking or reducing your consumption but failed in your attempts.
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Low quality of life
As with every other form of drug abuse, Klonopin addiction can damage your personal health, family and every other area of your life. When you are addicted, you will continue using the drug even when it is hurting you. A declining quality of life and lack of interest in anything but the drug is an indication of addiction.
Unfortunately, spiraling into Klonopin addiction is very easy. Given these signs to look out for, it is necessary to ask yourself if you are addicted to the drug.