Klonopin Abuse, and Addiction

What Is Klonopin & Why Is It Prescribed?

Klonopin is a benzodiazepine commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and seizures. It works by boosting the effects of GABA, an inhibitory chemical messenger that slows brain activity, reduces anxiety, and produces a calming effect. (1) Klonopin can be effective in treating these conditions, but it can also be habit-forming and should only be used under a health provider’s direction. It is absolutely essential to follow the prescribed dosage and not use Klonopin for recreational purposes. Also, Klonopin use should not be stopped abruptly, as severe, possibly life-threatening withdrawal symptoms can occur.

How Can Prescription Klonopin Use Become Addictive?

Prescription Klonopin can become addictive due to several factors related to its mechanism of action and the individual’s response to the drug.

Factors Contributing to Prescription Klonopin Addiction Include:

• Physiological dependence, occurring after prolonged use when the body becomes accustomed to the drug’s presence, resulting in withdrawal symptoms.
• Psychological dependence, developing after prolonged use when individuals come to rely on the drug’s effects to cope with stress, anxiety, or other emotional issues.
• Tolerance with continued use, which requires increasingly higher doses to achieve the desired effects and leading to a cycle of escalating drug use.
• Cravings triggered by the pleasurable and anti-anxiety effects of the drug, thereby encouraging drug misuse and fueling addiction.
• Co-occurring mental health conditions, especially if they are not effectively managed through other therapeutic approaches.
• Misuse and recreational use for non-medical purposes, such as seeking sedation, euphoria, or other rewarding effects.

Klonopin Abuse Statistics

Due to its potential to become habit-forming, Klonopin is frequently prescribed, and misuse is not at all uncommon. The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that among all people aged 12 or older, those who misused prescription benzodiazepines in the previous year decreased from 5.5 million (2.1%) in 2015 to 4.8 million (1.8%) in 2019. (2)

Of those aged 12–17 in 2019, 1.5 % (or 381,000 people) reported past-year misuse of prescription benzodiazepines, equal to 1.5% in 2015. Similarly, among adults aged 26 or older, 1.5% (or 3.2 million people) reported past-year prescription benzodiazepine misuse, down slightly from 1.6% in 2015. Moreover, these numbers remained stable among both populations between 2015 and 2019.

The most significant reduction in past-year benzodiazepine misuse in 2019 was among young adults, specifically those between the ages of 18 and 25. These figures decreased from 1.8 million people (5.2%) in 2015 to 1.3 million people (3.8%) in 2019.

Finally, according to Psychiatry Online, adults aged 50 and older were more likely than younger adults to misuse a benzodiazepine by taking it more often than prescribed or to help with sleep. (3)

Causes & Risk Factors for Klonopin Dependence

The development of Klonopin (clonazepam) dependence can be influenced by a combination of factors, including individual characteristics and patterns of medication use.

Causes & Risk Factors Associated With Klonopin Dependence Include:

• Chronic, excessive, or high-dose use.
• Misuse or recreational use, such as to experience euphoria or for self-medication.
• Personal or family history of substance misuse and genetic factors
• Environmental factors, such as peer pressure, or being exposed to situations in which drug use is condoned or encouraged.
• Co-occurring mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
• Concurrent use of other substances, such as alcohol, opioids, or sedatives.
• Psychological factors, including a history of trauma, stress, and underlying mental health disorders.
• Lack of support, treatment, or monitoring during a therapeutic course of Klonopin use.

Furthermore, while Klonopin misuse can impact people of all ages and backgrounds, certain demographics may be more vulnerable, including women and older adults, partly due to the fact that they are more often prescribed it. (4)

Adverse Side Effects of Klonopin Use Include:

• Sedation and drowsiness.
• Concentration issues, memory impairments, confusion, slowed thinking, and reduced alertness.
• Muscle weakness, fatigue, and reduced physical strength.
• Impaired coordination and difficulty with balance.
• Dizziness and lightheadedness.
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, or changes in appetite.
• Respiratory depression, shallow or slowed breathing.
• Adverse mood changes.
• Withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, insomnia, tremors, sweating, irritability, and seizures.

What Are the Effects of Klonopin Use on Mental Health?

When used as prescribed and under medical supervision, it can be effective in managing these conditions and improving mental health. However, note that Klonopin, like other benzodiazepines, can have various effects on mental health, both beneficial and adverse.

Potential Positive Mental Health Effects of Klonopin Include: 

• Improved overall mental and emotional well-being.
• Reduction in feelings of anxiety, tension, stress, and worry.
• Sedation, relaxation, and improved sleep quality.
• Mood stabilization for co-occurring mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder.
• Muscle relaxation, reduced physical discomfort, and improved mood.

Potential Adverse Mental Health Effects of Klonopin Include: 

• Psychological dependence.
• Cognitive and memory difficulties.
• Excess sleepiness.
• Emotional numbing.
• Disinhibition and impulsivity.
• Depression with long-term use.
• Increase in anxiety symptoms after quitting.