How long do kpins last

In most instances, Klonopin is started at a lower dosage to decrease the risk of side effects. Patients should not stop, start, or change the dose of their Klonopin prescription without input from a doctor. Most people will need to take Klonopin two or three times daily to get the desired effect.

Klonopin will reach peak concentration levels within one to four hours after administration, and the speed of absorption will vary from one person to the next. The effects of the drug can last for up to twelve hours. Because the results of the medication last a long time, patients do not need to dose as frequently as other benzodiazepines for anxiety, such as Xanax.

Sudden cessation of Klonopin can be dangerous and painful. Patients can experience a worsening of seizures or anxiety and panic attacks if they stop taking Klonopin, and withdrawal side effects such as shaking, abdominal discomfort, and mood swings can occur.

These symptoms are more likely to happen if someone has been using or abusing Klonopin for a long time and at high doses. Approximately 2. While most people use their medications as prescribed and do not become addicted, some people will misuse their prescriptions. But most people who abuse prescription medications will steal, purchase, or borrow prescriptions from their family or friends. Anytime someone misuses a prescription drug in a way it was not intended is considered abuse.

Misusing a prescription, however, does not always mean the person is addicted, but it does increase the chances of addiction. The body can build up a tolerance to Klonopin, and people who have taken the medication as directed for a long time may find themselves not benefitting from the drug at the recommended dose.

Without consulting their physician, many users will start taking more of the medication to increase the intended effects. This can also lead to addiction. People addicted to Klonopin will often start out taking larger doses of the pills to get high or increase the effectiveness of the medication. They may also start taking the drug with alcohol, or crushing and snorting the pills to get them to take effect faster.

Because Klonopin comes with a risk of addiction and increased tolerance levels, doctors will typically prescribe Klonopin for shorter periods, usually two weeks or less. People who take Klonopin as prescribed can even build a tolerance to the drug. But for those who abuse the medication, they can build a tolerance very quickly, increasing the likelihood of addiction.

Cutting back or quitting the drug when someone has built up a physical tolerance to the substance will result in withdrawal symptoms. People who take Klonopin as directed will often experience a mild euphoria the first time they take the medication. Unfortunately, some people will become addicted to this initial feeling that the medication can induce. People with a history of substance abuse issues are at-risk of becoming addicted to this feeling and may start taking larger doses of Klonopin than directed as a way to feel the initial Klonopin-induced euphoria again.

Klonopin reduces activity in the CNS and mitigates hyperactive electrical signals in the brain, which are associated with anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, insomnia, and other disorders. It is also often used to treat seizures in those with neurological disorders like epilepsy. As an intermediate-acting benzo, it can reduce the risk of seizure activity for many hours after the drug has been administered.

Klonopin may also be prescribed to those who suffer from persistent fidgeting, restlessness, or other uncontrollable movements, some of which may be side effects of using antipsychotic medications. Sometimes health professionals prescribe Klonopin for the treatment of severe anxiety and panic attacks. These other benzodiazepines tend to be more effective at addressing these disorders because their effects onset within minutes and are not as long-lasting as Klonopin.

Like other benzos, Klonopin produces feelings of relaxation and well-being, which give it a potential for abuse and addiction. Even those who take the drug as directed by a physician may find themselves quickly progressing to problematic use.

It is these desirable feelings that often compel a person to use Klonopin more often or in higher amounts than directed. Moreover, these coveted effects typically begin within an hour of use and can last anywhere from hours. Klonopin can result in tolerance and dependence if use continues for an extended period. Tolerance is a condition that develops as the body adapts to the presence of a drug and gradually mitigates the effects of that substance.

When this occurs, the person may be driven to use more of the drug in order to experience the desired effects. While they are rare, doctors are not always able to predict who might be affected.

Some people are at increased risk of withdrawal complications:. To improve your chances of success, it is important for you to develop a detox and withdrawal plan. This can be a challenge for some people. Most people have access to a primary care doctor or health clinic that can help them develop a taper schedule, but you really have to be committed to the process.

This can be hard for people without the time or ability to make multiple office visits. Ideally, tapering involves visiting your doctor at least once per week and following up with phone calls in between. The long-term success of Klonopin withdrawal depends on a successful taper. Some studies suggest that when done in conjunction with psychotherapy talk therapy , benzo withdrawals are more successful.

Other studies show that the results are about the same. If you are struggling with psychological or addiction issues, therapy is a primary component of long-term healing. Without therapy, people struggling with addiction often relapse.

The ideal duration of your taper will depend on several factors, including your starting dose and your primary goals. Studies in primary care settings have found that a gradual taper over the course of at least 10 weeks is most successful. There is no universal tapering rate. The research suggests that generally speaking, slower tapers are more successful. People taking high doses of benzos may start with a quicker taper and slow down once a lower dose has been achieved.

Most people will have a primary goal of abstinence, but this is not always the case. In certain situations, such as advanced age, the goal is a dose reduction. People who have been taking Klonopin therapeutically for many years are often on very high doses.

This happens because people develop a tolerance to the drug, in which the same dose is unable to produce the effects it used to. Tapering helps reset your tolerance level so that you no longer need such a high, sedating dose. Quitting benzos is hard but worth it for most people. One recent study followed patients for a full year after they began their benzo taper. Compared to how they were on day one, researchers noticed the following:.

If you are interested in stopping or reducing your Klonopin intake, then the best place to start is with your primary care doctor. If you do not have health insurance, you can go to a community clinic in your area. Community clinics will treat you, regardless of your ability to pay. To find a community health center near you, use this search directory from U. Health Resource and Services Administration.

Klonopin withdrawal is no picnic. In fact, people who have withdrawn from both benzos and opioids often say that benzo withdrawal was the worse. But this stage passes. Soon enough, you will realize how much of yourself was lost to Klonopin.

At that point, you will start to feel like your old self again. You may even realize just how much you actually liked that person. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Prescription drug use and misuse in the United States: results from the national survey on drug use and health.

Updated September Benzodiazepine dependence and its treatment with low dose flumazenil. Br J Clin Pharmacol. Geneva: World Health Organization; Gopalan P, et al. Managing benzodiazepine withdrawal during pregnancy: case-based guidelines. Updated April 22, Effectiveness of current treatment approaches for benzodiazepine. Brett J, et al. Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.

Australian Prescriber.