What is Klonopin?

Klonopin is a sedative medication that is popularly prescribed for anxiety caused by panic attacks. It can also be used to treat seizures and convulsions.  Because Klonopin (aka clonazepam) is classified as a benzodiazepine, it is highly addictive.  Patients who were prescribed with Klonopin have noticed a dependency to the drug in a matter of weeks. These patients were taking only the amount prescribed by their doctor. Sometimes the drug is prescribed for patients who are having withdrawal symptoms from alcohol addiction, struggle with insomnia, have phobias or restless leg syndrome. It is most often prescribed by doctors to patients who are in a drug rehabilitation center going through withdrawals from another drug. Unfortunately, it is leading to a large number of fatal overdoses.

Klonopin is a small blue quick-dissolve tablet that is placed on the tongue up to as many as three times daily. Many people crush the tablet into a fine powder and snort them to allow for an even greater high. The effects of taking Klonopin are typically noticed within an hour of taking the drug orally. The effects of the drug is usually felt anywhere from 6-24 hours.

The drug works by slowing down different functions in the central nervous system. It can cause confusion, poor coordination, slower reflexes and in some cases where too much of a dosage is taken, a coma or even death. Combining alcohol and Klonopin can be fatal.  It also blocks certain receptors in the brain that can reduce stress and agitation which often leads to panic attacks and anxiety. Klonopin depresses the central nervous system which caused a short, euphoric high that is followed up by a dream-like state. Because the central nervous system is slowed down, the heart rate and breathing are affected as well. In fact, either one can slow down enough to cause coma or even death.

Because of its addictive nature, Klonopin is not recommended for long-term use. The drug can stay in the body for 19-60 hours. Since the drug in meant for short-term use, the body has the potential to build up a tolerance to it if used for a longer period of time. This tolerance can be built up in just two weeks of usage. Klonopin tolerance is defined by a series of withdrawal symptoms that appear when the drug is not being used anymore: nausea and anxiety. Sometimes people also start to have seizures as well. Since Klonopin works to slow down the brain’s receptors to help with anxiety,  when the medication is stopped, it can cause rebound anxiety and insomnia. These symptoms will typically last 2-3 days before they fade away.

Popular search terms on the internet for Klonopin include:

• Klonopin addiction treatment
• Klonopin withdrawal and detox
• Klonopin addiction
• Klonopin dosage
• Klonopin side effects
• Klonopin half life
• Klonopin treatment
• Klonopin withdrawal
• Klonopin high doses

Medications similar to Klonopin:

• Xanax
• Ativan
• Topamax
• Valium
• Depakene

Slang terms for the drug are known as tranks, klons, downers, benzos or k-pins.

 

Signs, Symptoms and Side Effects of Klonopin

Klonopin, also known as k-pin or clonazepam is a benzodiazepine that is both hypnotic and sedative. It works by slowing down the central nervous system. It is most often prescribed when patients have anxiety or are suffering from epilepsy.  Patients who are prescribed with the drug can be dependent on it after only two weeks of usage. When misused it can be very harmful to your health and if used for too long, it can lead to a fatal overdose.

Side Effects

• Produces hallucinatory effects when taken in larger doses (larger doses also put people at risk for an overdose)
• Can leave a person feeling isolated and alone
• Euphoric feeling
• Relaxed mindset
• Slowed thoughts
• Relaxation in the muscles
• Drowsiness
• Longer sleeping patterns
• Rashes or hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Vision changes
• Changes in mood
• Impulsiveness
• Memory loss
• Depression
• Lack of brain function
• Withdrawal
• Coma
• Possible suicidal idealization(thoughts or actions)-FDA estimates that 1 in 500 people suffer from suicidal idealization

There are a lot of symptoms that come with taking the drug that friends and family members can watch out for.

Here are a few of them:

Symptoms

• Clumsiness
• Slurry speech
• Depression
• Agitation or restlessness
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Feeling extreme tiredness during the day
• Memory problems
• Trouble concentrating
• Slow reaction time
• Constipation
• Paranoia or hallucinations
• Dizziness
• Shallow breath
• Forgetfulness
• Panic attacks
• Aggression

Drug overdose is real problem in the United States. People are becoming dependent on drugs and building up a tolerance to them. This can easily lead to overdose because the more tolerant a person becomes, the more of the drug they need in their system so they can maintain the same high as before. When too much of a drug is taken or is taken in combination with other drugs or even alcohol, it can lead to an overdose. It’s important to know what sort of signs to look out for in case someone you know is overdosing. If you see these signs, call 911 immediately.

Signs of a Klonopin Overdose:

• A decrease in the ability to concentrate or focus
• Extreme tiredness or excessive drowsiness
• Walking unsteady
• Impairments in memory
• Slurred speech
• Coordination issues

 

Klonopin Withdrawal and Detox

Klonopin is a very dangerous drug if used outside its recommended dosage and outside of a prescription. It’s important to go through detox to wash the drugs your of your system.

Withdrawal from Klonopin can be extremely dangerous and should not be attempted alone. The cold turkey method is not recommended when trying to withdrawal from this drug since it can cause intense shaking and seizures. Withdrawal symptom intensity depends on many different factors such as amount of time the drug has been taken, what other drugs were taken along with it and any alcohol that was combined with it.

Klonopin addiction leads to withdrawal symptoms that are so severe that people cannot break free from the drug without medical supervision.

• Strong anxiety
• Seizures
• Insomnia
• Aggressive or violent behaviors
• Increase in body temperature
• Irritability
• Hand tremors
• Increased heart rate
• Trouble in coordination
• Sweating
• Nausea/vomiting
• Behavioral changes
• Flu-like aches and pains
• A feeling of being disconnected from reality
• Confusion
• Tiredness or feeling restless
• Hallucinations
• Psychosis

 Timeline for Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms

Since Klonopin builds up in the body over the time it is used, it can take as long as 2 days for their drug to leave the body. Once the drug has left the body, people will generally start to feel the withdrawal symptoms above. These symptoms can last up to 90 days but everyone is different so the time frame varies.

• • Days 1-3 (after drug is stopped): Between these three days is when the signs of withdrawal will start to appear. The symptoms will be mild at first but they will intensify quickly and it will become harder to fall asleep at night.
  • Weeks 1 and 2 (after initial withdrawal signs have set in): Symptoms will really start to peak during this time. If the quitting method is through a cold turkey approach (not recommended), these symptoms may be felt:
    • • Seizures
      • Anxiety
      • Hallucinations
      • Strong body tremors

• Weeks 3 and 4: Typically around this mark, symptoms will start to fade away. Anxiety is one symptom that usually tends to linger around for some time. Again, since people are different this timeline is based on the average. Symptoms may fade away faster or may linger much longer. Your doctor will be able to tell you more once you’ve been assessed.
• Two months and more: Up to three months after the drug has left the system, symptoms can still be felt. This is seen more in people who have very severe addictions or who have been using drugs for a large portion of their lives. For patients who have been using Klonopin long-term, tapering is usually the method used to help them break free of the drug. Tapering, unlike cold turkey allows the patient to have a small amount of Klonopin to help manage the withdrawal symptoms so that other complications do not arise.

Helpful Information for Detox

• Contact a Detox Program– Since withdrawal symptoms can be fatal, medical supervision is needed when trying to become sober. Stopping cold turkey can be life-threatening. Most often, a trained doctor will allow for a small amount of the drug to be used to help a patient to taper off from it. This will help with the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
• Stop Using Substances-You don’t want to stop using before you’ve seen a trained specialist due to reasons mentioned above. However, know that when you enter into detox that becoming completely drug-free is the mission. Cigarette or e-cigs may even be off limits.
• Be Honest-Report all underlying medical conditions, mental health disorders and all medications/drugs that you are currently on, as well as usage of alcohol. These are all important facts that the doctor and staff need to know in order to administer the best method of detox. Certain ailments can make withdrawal symptoms harder to manage and mental disorders like depression and anxiety can be increased substantially during detox. It’s important to be honest the entire time.
• Prepare Yourself for Evaluations- Two evaluations will be completed during the initial intake of a detox program. These evaluations are important because the doctor and staff need to know what is happening within their patients mind and body before inducing changes (withdrawal symptoms). The first one will be a medical evaluation which is usually very basic: vital signs, various screenings, blood tests, etc. The second is a psychiatric evaluation which delves into a patient’s mental health. This type of evaluation is usually completed with a series of questions.
• Show Up For Your Own Recovery- Detox is only one part of recovery and it is an important one because it rids the body of drugs. However, the mind needs to be cleansed as well and the best way to do that is through therapy. Be prepared to work with a therapist to learn tips on how to control triggers that cause you to want to use drugs. Also, be prepared to learn how to manage feelings or anger and depression which can also lead to drug use.
• Support Groups- Even when detox and therapy are finished, it’s important to stick with some sort of routine and that is where support groups are helpful. Support groups are full of people who are going through the same battle that you are and therefore, there is no better place to be. These groups are insightful and helpful and a great place to be when the world feels very lonely.
• Alternative Treatments- After detox and therapy, it can be helpful to learn about alternatives treatments that could help keep the cravings of drugs at bay. These treatments includes:
  • Meditation (typically taught in drug rehabilitation facilities)
  • Yoga
  • Art and Music Therapy (often used in drug rehabilitation facilities)
  • Massage
  • Breathing Exercises
  • Pet Therapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic Treatments
  • Exercising- weight-lifting, walking, hiking, stretching, swimming, etc.
  • Playing Sports

Klonopin Addiction Treatment

 

Cycle of Addiction

To understand drug addiction, it’s important to first understand the cycle of addiction. Let’s take a look at how addiction forms from basic usage of a drug to showing withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped.

Initial Use

The cycle of addiction originates from the first time a person does drugs which is called the initial use. Not every person that takes a drug will become addicted to it. There are many addictive drugs that can increase a person’s chances however. Typically, initial use is when a person receives a prescription and takes the prescribed amount for the recommended amount of days.

Abuse

Abuse, the next stage in the cycle of addiction occurs when the drug use in being used on a recurring and improper basis. Taking an amount not recommended by a doctor such as a higher dosage is considered abuse.

Tolerance

The third stage of the cycle of addiction is called tolerance. Tolerance occurs when a drug is being taken over a long period of time and a higher dosage is needed to get the same effects as before. The body will start to become immune to lower dosage and will require more. This can lead to some severe health problems and of course, to the next stage of the cycle.

Dependence

Dependence occurs when the body cannot function without the use of the drug. Not classified as an addiction because some medications are required to be used daily such as inhalers for people who have asthma. Feel good drugs like Klonopin can lead to dependence then to the fifth stage in the cycle.

Addiction

Addiction, as stated before doesn’t happen to everyone. Addiction can be defined by withdrawal symptoms that occur when the drug is no longer being used. Last in the cycle of addiction is relapse.

Relapse

Relapse doesn’t happen to everyone either. For those who have become sober from drug addiction and find themselves slipping back into drug use once again are going through a relapse. This doesn’t mean that treatment has failed and that a person is incurable. It just simply means that the treatment method needs to be adjusted. Each person is different and therefore, should be treated uniquely.

Once Klonopin addiction has settled in to a person’s system, the brain no longer has the ability to produce calming feelings that lead to relaxation. Without that ability, people have a hard time quitting the drug which leads to an even bigger issue with addiction.

Signs of Klonopin Addiction

Once the cycle of addiction is understood, it’s important to know what type of signs to look for when it comes to Klonopin addiction. It would be a good idea to ask family members and friends about some of the signs. A lot of people who are addicted to a drug cannot recognize their own addiction.

• Cravings for Klonopin or any other type of drug that gives off the same euphoric feeling
• A loss of interest in social or everyday life, neglecting responsibilities
• Continued Klonopin use or any other drug that gives off the same euphoric feeling
• Withdrawal symptoms occur when drug isn’t being used such as seizures or increased hypertension
• Wanting to quit but have no motivation to do so
• Financial and legal consequences due to continued drug use
• Doctor-shopping is a regular habit (visiting multiple different doctors to get more prescriptions)
• A large amount of time is being invested to obtain the drug
• There is anxiety when the drug has ran out
• Family, personal and work life are being neglected so that more time can be spent using the drug
• Engaging in risky or criminal behavior

 

Dependence Verses Addiction

Klonopin is a sedative pill that works by decreasing the electrical activity within the brain. It is typically used for patients with anxiety or epilepsy. After just two weeks of usage, patients have become dependent on the drug. Dependency isn’t the same as addiction and it’s important to know the difference between the two. Dependency is physical while addiction is psychological.

Being physically dependent on a drug appears when the drug in no longer being taken and withdrawal symptoms start. There are many types of drugs that can make a person dependent on them such as blood pressure medication. However, these types of medication do not lead to addiction.  For someone who is dependent on Klonopin, withdrawal symptoms can be avoided by tapering off of the drug verses going cold turkey. Being dependent on a drug has a cure while addiction is a life-long battle.

Signs of Physical Dependence

• Nausea/Diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Rapid breathing or heartrate
• Muscle Cramps
• Lack of focus or concentration

Being addicted is classified as a disease in the brain. For people who are addicted to Klonopin, the physical dependency of the drug can be cured in a sense through detoxification. However, the psychological dependence is what continues to linger around causing one’s struggle to break free from it. Certain people are predisposed for addiction based on their social, psychological and biological influences. There are three typical ways that people find themselves addicted to medications.

1. Outside Exposure- Parties, clubs and schools are the top three places where drugs are exchanged. A large number of teenagers are hooked on prescription drugs meant to treat patients of ailments. Klonopin is a fairly cheap drug so it is easier for teens to find and since it’s a quick-dissolve tablet, it’s easy to ingest while at school.
2. Sharing Prescriptions- Many times, people will share their prescription with other people. This most often happens between family members, couples and friends. This can lead to dependency and then to addiction. Drugs like Klonopin should never be taken without a prescription written for the person taking it by a qualified doctor. There are other ways that people share prescriptions too. The black market has many options for finding all sorts of drugs and Klonopin is a popular one because it’s so cheap. Some people will fill a prescription that they received and turn around and sell it online. This is illegal and could result in jail time. If you are a couples abusing Klonopin and want to enter into a couples drug rehab together, that may be an option for you and your partner.
3. Mistreating Prescriptions-Klonopin is an extremely powerful medication that can come with some adverse side effects like seizures. It is important to only take the dosage that is recommended. Over time, the body will become tolerant to the medication and will require more to obtain the same effect. At this point, the body has become dependent on the drug which can lead to addiction. Some people will start to doctor-hop as this point which means they will go from doctor to doctor trying to get a prescription. By doing this, a person is setting themselves up for a life of addiction.

Do You Have An Addiction To Klonopin?

These questions might help you find an answer.

1. Do you feel an extreme amount of anxiety when you try to stay off the drug?
2. Do you find it hard to quit even though you want to?
3. Do you lie about where you’ve been or how money being spent to secure your drug use?
4. Do things that used to make you feel happy no longer make you feel happy?
5. Are you having seizures when you try to stay off the drug?
6. Are you using Klonopin with alcohol or other drugs to try to increase your high?
7. Is your drug use affected your marriage and your family?

If you answered yes to just one of these questions and are currently taking Klonopin, you are suffering from an addiction.

Teen Klonopin Abuse

Klonopin is a prescription drug and therefore, it’s often mistaken as a safe drug. Many teens believe that since the drug isn’t a harder drug such as heroin or cocaine than it is safe to take.  Klonopin is not only cheap, it’s really easy to find around schools and neighborhoods. This means it’s a popular drug among teens and young adults.

A great way to help with this ongoing issue is to educate teens more on the dangers of prescription drugs. These drugs are not safe and can be just as harmful as many other drugs found on the street.

Teens are feisty so it’s important to connect with a teen on their level.  A positive approach will help a teen to want to listen to what is being said. Blaming will only cause a teen to flee the room.

Do some research about drug use and about some of triggers that cause teens to abuse drugs. Teen brains are still developing and therefore, drug abuse can have long-term behavioral and cognitive effects. They are at a greater risk of becoming addicted to drugs than adults are. Teens usually turn to drugs because they are looking for an escape, or they are curious, or emotionally struggling or they were pressured into it by one of their peers. You can read more about drug addiction in teenagers by clicking the highlighted link,

Here are some signs to look for:

• Poor hygiene
• Poor personal appearance
• Avoiding eye contact
• Increased eating or lack of eating
• Bloodshot eyes
• Low school performance
• Loss of interest in activities
• Extreme tiredness
• Acting different
• Ditching school or missing curfew

Most of these can be due to the fact that your child is now a teen. They become very secretive couch potatoes who don’t really care about taking a shower or even changing clothes at times. This doesn’t automatically mean that they are doing drugs. However, you know your child better than anyone so if they are out completely out of their normal character than it is definitely something to address without blaming them.

Start by asking compassionate and understanding questions such as “Has anyone offered you drugs recently?” If they admit that they have been using drugs, it’s important to keep your cool. Overreacting and lashing out isn’t going to help your teen or yourself. They will also close up and you won’t get the truth from them anymore. If they deny usage but you are sure they are using drugs, just reassure them that you are there to help and watch them. If you still believe they are doing drugs, there are at home drug tests that can be administered. Therapists and pediatricians can also help diagnose a teen drug problem.

Helpful Guides for Teen Drug Abuse

CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) has very helpful information when it comes to intervening with family members or friends who are addicted to drugs and need to find treatment.

NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) has information for teens, parents and teachers as well as facts on teen drug use.

Above The Influence is a great website devoted to helping teens to stay off drugs and to stay motivated about who they are and what they wanted in life.

 

Drug Rehabilitation Treatment Process

The first step for someone to get help is to admit there’s a problem. That sounds very cliché, I know. However, it’s still true. You can’t fix something unless you can see where it needs to be fixed. If you are trying to glue a coffee mug back together because someone told you it broke, yet you don’t see a crack, where do you put the glue? They see it, sure. But you don’t. It is important for the person with an addiction to see their addiction first. Rehabilitation can only go so far without a person’s recognition of their addiction or dependency.

Intervention

The very first step in trying to help someone else to define their addiction is to talk to them about it. This can be a long, painful and very challenging feat. This generally comes in the form of an intervention. Interventions can be hard to do efficiently however. There are many times where intervention cause a person who is addicted to drugs sink further into their addictive behavior. Here is a guide to help a successful intervention take place.

• Try The One-on-One Approach: For someone who is addicted to drugs, a crowd of people can be very nerve-racking and being bombarding with a large circle of friends and family members can be not only embarrassing but nerve-racking. This can cause a series of trigger points to become ignited within your loved one’s brain causing them to focus on how much they want their drug instead of the help they need. Try the one-on-one approach instead. Just sit down with them and have an honest and open conversation without negativity and blaming.
• Show Empathy and Sympathy: There is a lot of hostility and anger that comes from watching a loved one abuse drugs without the intention of getting help. It’s important to sit down with them and discuss their drug use without making them feel guilty. It’s important to show sympathy and empathy for their situation. Most often, people who are addicted to drugs continue to use drugs because they literally can’t stop, not because they want to continue using.
• Show Some Emotion: While being overly emotional can lead to your loved one feeling guilty about the pain they are causing, showing too little of emotion can hit hard emotionally as well. You don’t want them to see you as robotic and unloving. So it’s important to find that balance before talking to your loved one. There are many guides online and even intervention specialist that can assist you. Intervention specialist can show you not only how to minimize tension but also help you organize a step-by-step meeting with your loved one.
• Be Encouraging: Your loved one should feel the encouragement from you that you want them to attend rehab but they shouldn’t feel pushed into it. This intervention should be about realization from their perspective. When things start to become heated, it’s time to walk away. If things are going well, it may be time to lightly bring up rehabilitation.

Assessment or Pre-Intake

An assessment or pre-intake is first actual step when a person enters rehab. This is where a doctor and a therapist will talk to you about your drug usage. They will ask you several questions starting with name, date of birth and drug use. At this point, they are just trying to make sure that you are in the right place to get the help that you need. Most often, you are.

Intake

The intake is the real meat and potatoes behind the paperwork that the doctor and therapist needs to do because this is where the detailed questions are asked such as: drug history, medial history (individual and family), mental health history (individual and family). You’ll also be asked about your social environment such as any children you may have or if you are married. You’ll also be fully admitted into the facility at this point so you’ll go over financial arrangements and a checklist of items you cannot bring with you into the facility.

After which, a physical and mental evaluation will be completed. This will check your vital signs to make sure you are cleared for detox and a blood test will be administered to find out what type of drugs are in your system.

Detoxification and Withdrawal

Detox is the next step. This will be the process of allowing all drugs to get out of your system. This can be a hard experience but it is necessary so that you can begin your recovery efforts. During a Klonopin detox, a doctor may prescribe antidepressants to help with the withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxing from Klonopin can be very dangerous and may present seizures. It’s very important to detox in the company of medical staff where a person can be monitored 24/7. During the detox process, vital signs will be checked regularly to ensure that a patient is in stable condition.

Detox helps to clear the body of drugs but it is only one part of the process. The mind has to be cleared of the drug.

Inpatient Treatment Centers

Inpatient Treatment is the next step and this involves treating the mind while detox was all about treating the body.

Residential Treatment Center (RTC) is the first stop when it comes to therapy. There will be a lot of useful skills and tools to pick up in RTC. The therapy usually starts with a cognitive approach. The therapist wants to find out what triggers your drug use so it’s important to be completely honest. During this phase, the therapist will also ask questions about your past. Most of the time, drug addiction is triggered from a memory in the past. One single moment of our lives can change the course we are on to a very negative path of destruction. If the therapist can find out what moment this is for you, he/she could change the way your brain is wired. This increases your odds when it comes to staying sober for life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) will also be a part of RTC. CBT is all about finding out what sort of distorted thoughts you have in your head. It sounds worse than it is. Truth is, is that when a person stops taking Klonopin, they may have a large amount of anxiety. This anxiety alone can cause distorted thinking. There are 10 different ways that distorted thinking works and as I go through them, you might find some of them to sound familiar.

1. All-or-Nothing Thinking- This is typically referred to as black and white thinking. When a person thinks in black and white, there is no gray area which means there is no middle ground. This can be negative all on its own.
2. Overgeneralization-This is when a person starts thinking along the lines of always or never, “You’ve never cared about me” or “You always do this to me”, even though these statements are not truthful.
3. Negative Mental Filter-This is when a person only sees the negative in everything. Even when something is very positive, they will only see the negative.
4. Discounting the Positive- This is similar to number 3. This is when a person believes that positives do not matter and they eliminate the joy from everything.
5. Jumping to Conclusions-This is when a person judges something before they have any facts. This can be done in a fortune-telling sort of way. For example, when a person says “what if” a lot. Or it could be done in a mindreading approach such as reading others thoughts and believing you know what they are thinking.
6. Magnification- This is when you compare yourself to others unfairly. You put your worst against someone else’s best.
7. Emotional Reasoning- This is when a person feels something and believes that it is true without having any actual proof.
8. Should Statements-This is when statements like “You should have kept drugs away from me” or “You should have been there for me” start popping up a lot.
9. Labeling- This one involves unfair name-calling. This can be someone calling us names, us calling others names or even us calling ourselves names.
10. Blame-This is when a person assumes that something that happened was entirely their fault and takes the feelings, emotions and guilt all on themselves.

You will learn all about these 10 distorted thinking patterns and how to correct them. Therapy is about re-wiring your brain.

You will also learn about coping skills. Coping skills are used to help with triggers. Triggers are little stressful moments that pop up that cause people to want their drug. Triggers can be anything for anyone so it’s important for your therapist to define them. Some examples of trigger points are:

• Social pressures
• Stress, nxiety, depression, fear, guilt, frustration
• A particular song, smell, voice, or word
• HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
• Overconfidence
• Mental or physical illness
• Social isolation
• Sex and relationships
• Job Stress or family stress
• Past traumas

These are all trigger points that can lead to drug use so your therapist will work with you to uncover which ones are causing you to want to do drugs. He/she will then go over coping skills that can be used to help ward off these triggers so they don’t become an issue in the future.

Coping Skills:

• Deep Breathing
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Taking a Shower or Bath
• Move Around
• Go For a Walk
• Listen to Music
• Run Water Over Your Hands
• Count
• Work in the Garden
• Watch a Movie
• Read a Book
• Go on Vacation
• Play a Game
• Write
• Draw or Paint
• Cook
• Clean or Organize
• Watch Funny Videos
• Make a List of Things You Are Grateful For
• Write a List of Your Strengths
• Punch a Body Bag
• Pray
• Get More Sleep
• Eat Something Healthy
• Have Some Chocolate

These are all really great coping skills but you might have a coping skill you already do every day that could be helpful. Talk to your therapist and find out what he/she thinks. If your therapist believes it’s positive and that it’s helping, then use it.

RTC is all about therapy so there will be a lot of one-on-one therapy sessions with your therapist but there will also be a lot of group therapy. Group therapy is rewarding for a lot of people because they get to meet people that are going through the same issues that they are currently going through. Therefore, there is an exchange of empathy taking place. Some people even meet some friends for life while they are in rehab.

RTC will also make some other types of therapies available such as art and music therapy. Art and music are two great ways for people to express themselves and since there will be a lot of different emotions coming out during therapy it can be a productive place to put it all.

Meditation and yoga is also available at many drug rehabilitation centers. Meditation has been used for years as a way to relax and provide mindfulness but now that America is finally hopping on board with the mindfulness train, it’s finally being accepted as a treatment option. In fact, not only rehabs are offering to teach meditation but schools are starting to teach young children meditation as well. It’s the perfect way to relax and expand the mind. Yoga is being more widely accepted as well because it goes hand-in-hand with meditation. Meditation is more for the mind while Yoga is more for the body. Yoga allows for the body to be stretched out while also teaching breathing techniques that help with anxiety. The combination of both can be very rewarding and help with a successful road to recovery.

Residential Treatment Center (RTC) will also teach patients about the 12-step program. It’s not mandatory but many patients do find it helpful.

The 12-Step Program

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Daily life during RTC will be done using a structured, organized schedule with different therapies, one-on-one meetings and group activities but there is some free time available. Some people choose to write in a journal, pray, meditate or participate in some of the in-house amenities provided such as music or art therapy or yoga.

There is around-the-clock (24-hours a day) care during the different stages of recovery. Inpatient treatment allows for a patient to have a safe place to go while they recover from addiction. Many people get their drugs from someone in their home and therefore, it is not a safe haven to break free from drugs. Inpatient treatment is best for people who do not have a strong support system. The main focus of this type of treatment is individual therapy though there are many group therapy sessions as well.

Outpatient Treatment Centers

Outpatient treatment centers are great for people who have a great support structure in friends or family members. There are day and evening programs available to help fit busy schedules so that people can still get the help that they need.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a type of outpatient treatment that usually comes after Residential Treatment Center (RTC) but some patient’s do not have to attend RTC. It takes place at a drug rehab facility for 6 hours a day, 5-7 days a week. This type of treatment allows people to continue to work or take care of their outside responsibilities. During this treatment, some people are able to do an outpatient detox and they will attend individual and group therapy during that 6 hour timeframe.  Coping skills and trigger points will be readdressed during the duration of these daily meetings.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) usually follows up partial hospitalization program (PHP) and also takes place at a drug rehabilitation facility. The program usually lasts 3 hours a day, 3 days a week and can be attended for several weeks. IOP is usually the last step when it comes to the drug rehabilitation process. It can be looked at as an introduction to support groups because IOP is all about group therapy.

Group therapy is largely how outpatient treatment centers work. Through this type of therapy people are able to develop better communication skills, better discipline and structure while also giving and receiving support on the road to recovery. Group therapy also helps to reinforce healthy living so that one does not fall into relapse. Coping skills and trigger points will continue to be addressed as they are a huge part of recovery.

Aftercare

Once patients leave rehab, some patients do fairly well and others need a little more support. Therefore, more treatment is provided in an outpatient setting. Aftercare deals in weekly therapy sessions and community-based treatments like 12-step meetings to help a patient to avoid relapse. Sessions and meetings are a huge part of recovery because there is no cure for drug addiction. It is a life-long battle. Temptation will always be there but with these helpful resources, patients will learn the tools necessary to say no over and over again.

Staying Sober-This is one of the most important things to do during aftercare. If you do not stay sober, the rest of the tips won’t matter. There are so many different things to do to stay sober. Attend a meeting, call your sponsor or use your coping skills to help alleviate the drug cravings.

Make a Plan and Stick to it-Before being released from the rehabilitation center, it’s important to come up with a plan. It doesn’t have to be a long term plan and it doesn’t have to be filled with high hopes and huge dreams.

Here are some plan examples:

• Get a job and pay child support.
• Go back to school.
• Exercise daily.
• Drink more water and eat healthier.
• Write in journals every day.

These are just a few examples but it’s important to set one or several as a daily goal. It’s even more important to stick to it. Routine is very important once leaving rehab because rehab itself provided that sort of structure. It can be a system shock not to have a routine to rely on, so it’s important to invent one and stick to it.

Getting a Job-Most of the time people lose their job when they attend rehab. Sometimes, people are able to take a break from work due to paid time off while others can attend outpatient care to get the help they need. On average, a job is lost. It’s important to get a job when you are released from rehab. Not only does having a job help on a financial level, it also helps to give a daily purpose. It also allows you to get out and be around other people, which is a huge part of your recovery. Loneliness can lead to negative feelings which can lead to drug use.

Take Up a Hobby-Hobbies will keep you busy and that’s important during recovery. Idle hands and minds are dangerous for people who are trying to stay sober. There are so many great hobbies out there to do: writing, cooking, learning, photography, hiking, knitting, birdwatching, sewing, woodworking, exercise, swimming, drawing, playing board/video games, shopping, geocaching, scrapbooking, dance, archery, stamp collecting, computer programming, pottery, camping, parachuting, model building, etc. Choose one or several and have fun!

Social Life Changes- Chances are, the group of people that you were hanging out with before rehab will not be good for your recovery unless they are a strong support system. Friends that you had before rehab that you abused drugs with need to be off your radar so that you can maintain a successful recovery. Create a new group of positive friends. The best place to look for positive new friends is within a support group so that you can all help each other to stay sober. Don’t even take drugs or drink “socially” that is one way that people end up relapsing. “Just this once” doesn’t apply when it comes to drug addiction.

12-Step Program-You probably learned about the 12-step program in rehab but it is during your aftercare that you will really start using it, if you want to. The 12-step program isn’t mandatory but many people find that it is helpful.

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Making Amends- As per number 9 in the 12-step program, it’s important to make amends to those you wronged before rehab. It could be friends, family, co-workers or even people you don’t know very well. Guilt is hard thing to carry around and those feelings can lead to drug use. By making amends to those you have hurt, you can release some if not all of that guilt.

Support Groups- Support groups are the very backbone to aftercare. These meetings are so important and very warm and welcoming. Support groups are filled with people who are facing the same life of recovery that you are. They feel the desire to do drugs and/or drink just as you do and they are fighting that feeling just like you are as well. Support groups are a place of understanding and acceptance, not judgement. Seek out a group, sign up for it and then attend as many meetings as you can. Anytime you feel like doing drugs again, attend a meeting instead. Chances are, you just need a cup of coffee and to talk it out.

Sponsor-During your support groups, you will get the chance to obtain a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who will be there for you if you call them and who will help you to stay off drugs. Some sponsors can be a bit docile while others will keep you right on track. When looking for a sponsor, it’s important to be very clear about what you want in a sponsor and what you want out of your very near future. You also want to be real with your sponsor because if they are giving you their time, you need to make sure you are giving them your time. It’s not fair to waste their time when they could be helping someone else. Make sure you are ready to have a sponsor and be prepared to have weekly, if not daily follow-ups with them.

Do Not Skip Out on Aftercare-Aftercare is very resourceful for those trying to recover from drug addiction. It’s important not to take it for granted. To skip over it could lead to a relapse. Following the steps from assessment to aftercare can lead to a rewarding recovery. Keep in mind that there is no cure for drug addiction, there is only recovery and it’s a lifelong fight.

Volunteer-On your road to recovery, it can be very rewarding to reach out to someone else and help. Community service gives us all a sense of pride and you’d be doing someone else a huge favor. You can’t save everyone though so just take it one person at a time. For example, volunteer at a soup kitchen.

Sober Living Homes- Sober living homes (also called a halfway house) is a great option for people in recovery who have just been released from rehab. Sometimes, people do not have a strong support system in a family or a group of friends and sober living homes provide a secure place to go. Going back to the way life was before could lead a person who is trying to stay sober, straight back to drugs. A sober living home allows people to gain their footing, to get a job and to even stabilize their family units. For example, a single mother could bring her family to live with her in one of these homes.

Eat Healthy-Eating healthy is very trendy in today’s society. There are so many different health trends flying around the internet that it’s impossible to try to keep up with all of them. To eat healthy, just go back to the basics. Get plenty of water, eat a good amount of fruits and vegetables daily and eat lean meat. You can also stay healthy by exercising daily. You’d be surprised at what a 7-minute yoga daily routine will accomplish.

Relapse- All of these tips are to try to avoid a relapse. Relapses can send a person right back into rehab. However, they do happen and it’s more common than a lot of people realize. If you slip up, get help right away. Just because you slip up doesn’t mean you have to keep doing drugs. You slipped and you did some drugs but you can always get back on track.

Limit Social Media- Social media is filled with negative people who will troll your pages and make you feel bad about yourself. You don’t need it, especially upon just leaving rehab. Limit social media or stay away from it altogether. Avoid toxic and negative people as much as possible. If your teen is the one in rehab, it might be best to keep them off of electronics for a while as they continue to heal and recover. Teens are brutal online and you want to make sure your child has the best opportunity to heal and become strong again before dealing with the type of negativity that social media brings.

Promote Awareness- This is an important one as well. You’ve been there so you know how hard it is to kick a drug habit. That is why is so important to make sure that other people do not end up with the same habit, especially the younger generation. Teens believe that since prescription drugs are prescribed by a doctor that they are safe. But this just isn’t true. Prescription drugs are not safe and should not be abused in any way. You could help to spread awareness but sharing your story by calling a school and offering to lecture students. If public speaking isn’t really for you, think about writing your story in an article for a newspaper or online blog. It’s important to reach out and raise awareness to the younger generation who has the wrong impression about prescription drugs.

Preventing Addiction

Most importantly, a person who is taking Klonopin should have been prescribed it by a qualified doctor. If that’s not the case, this drug should never be used. By buying medications off the street or from pharmacies that supply medications without a prescription, the Klonopin epidemic will continue to rise. The amount of people addicted to the drug will continue to increase and the drug will become as popular as fentanyl is.

To prevent addiction, say no to drugs. Tell peers no when they ask. Addiction doesn’t have a chance if people do not put the drugs into their system. Another way to help prevent addiction is to spread awareness about the dangers of this drug and ones just like it. The younger generation isn’t aware of how dangerous prescription drugs are and deem many of them safe because they are prescribed by a doctor. They are not safe and ones like Klonopin are highly addictive.

If you have been prescribed with a Klonopin prescription, it’s important to keep a record of any changes that you might feel when taking the drug. It can also be helpful to ask a friend to see if they have noticed any changes as well. Sometimes people don’t fully see the changes their bodies are making but others do. Taking more than the recommended dosage can lead to a dependency and/or an addiction. If you start to feel any of these symptoms and they do not go away, it’s time to call your doctor.

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Joint/muscle pain
• An increase in saliva
• Blurry vision
• Trouble focusing, concentrating or thinking
• Urinating more frequently
• Changes in sexual drive
• If you develop a rash, hives or swelling in the face it is important to contact you doctor immediately. This may be the result of an allergic reaction and could potential be life threatening.

 

How to Get the Most Out of The Drug Rehabilitation Process

Packing-Take a week’s worth of clothes but note that revealing clothing is not acceptable. Many places have their own rules about what is or isn’t acceptable such as cosmetics. Some places allow it and some do not. You’ll get a list of things that are not allowed in the facility during your intake. Most places supply pencils and paper but you could call ahead and ask if you could bring your own. Most people find that they enjoy writing during their recovery.

Feel Your Emotions-One of the emotions that people feel most in rehab is anger. Allow yourself to feel that anger. There are therapists that can help you find a place to put that anger but it’s important to let it out. Whatever sort of emotions you are feeling, allow yourself to fully feel them.

Go with the Flow-Recovery takes time and patience is important. Try to stay open-minded and try not to put too many expectations on your recovery. Thinking too far in the future can produce more anxiety which can trigger drug cravings. Stay in the present.  To get the most of the drug rehabilitation process, a person must be willing open and honest and willing to be present during their recovery.

Leave Negativity and Drama Outside-Healing is hard work and it becomes harder when there is negativity around every corner. It’s important to go into rehab with a positive mind frame. That means leaving all the drama and negativity that may have been in your life before rehab, outside.

Be Present-There are many ways to be present during rehab and participation during group therapy is a huge way to be present. It’s important to be social and to help others while in rehab because it’s very important to your own recovery as well.

Stay for the Duration of Treatment- If it is recommended that you stay for 30, 60, or 90 days, stay for the entire duration. You might get fed up and you might feel ready to leave but the doctor has assessed your drug and medical history has recommended the number days because he/she believes that’s what’s most efficient for a full recovery. By leaving early, you are putting yourself at risk for a relapse. To locate an addiction treatment center start by searching our database of listed rehabs.

Addictions Can Transform- While you are getting help with your drug addiction, it’s important to know that addictions can transform. You could suddenly find that you are eating more, wanting sex more and that you are craving cigarettes, even though you don’t smoke. It is fairly common for people to pick up another addiction while trying to recover from a different addiction. If you notice this, talk to your therapist about it.

Mantras- Mantras are sayings that we tell ourselves daily to think positively and to get through the day. A great one for rehab is “One day at a time” and another really good one that many people find helpful is “Out with the old and in with the new.” Try these out or make up a new one to repeat throughout the day.

Be Honest-Honesty is going to be the best policy when it comes to your new life. Your recovery is going to require it. If you slip up and do drugs, you need to be honest with yourself , with your therapist and with your support group.

Say No without Feeling Guilty-One of the reasons you may have become addicted to drugs in the first place could have come from not being able to say no. Saying no to people needs to be a priority and your recovery is all about you so don’t be afraid to say no without feeling a guilty about it. It doesn’t matter what it is you are saying no to. Know your limits.

Be Patient-Not Complacent- Recovery takes patience so it’s important to find a way to build patience if you are not good at waiting. While you wait however, keep yourself busy with different hobbies: writing, exercising, reading, playing music, drawing, painting, etc. Choose one or a few different hobbies and have some fun. Staying busy while you wait is the best way to keep a relapse from happening.

Avoid High Risk People- There are people you just are not going to get along with and sometimes you’ll find these people in the rehab facility that you are in. Try to do whatever you can to avoid this person. High risk people can make you feel bad about yourself and in turn, hurt your recovery efforts.

Be Grateful Every Day!- Wake up every single morning and try to give yourself at least 5 minutes to be grateful for what you have. You may feel very down and you may think you don’t have anything to be grateful for but if you’ve been given the chance to heal yourself in a rehabilitation treatment center, be grateful for that. It isn’t cheap and most people never get the chance that you are getting. Just find something to be grateful for, even if it’s the air you breathe.

Concerns about Drug Rehabilitation

Cost- Rehab can be expensive and the more luxurious the facility is, the more money it’s going to cost. Many insurance companies will pay for drug addiction rehab, so check with your insurance to see what options are available. If you do not have insurance, there are some government programs that may be helpful.

Length of Time- Treatment can last up to 90 days but on average, a patient is usually in rehab for 30 days.  It all depends on how long a patient has been using drugs. There are many factors to consider when a patient enters rehab.

Therapy- When it comes to therapy, most people think that it’s going to be a bunch of hours sitting around being judged by someone else in a chair. That isn’t the type of therapy that takes place in a rehab. Instead, you will talk to other patients who are going through the same thing that you are while also talking to a therapist about how you are feeling. You can also sign up for music or art therapy which is a great way to express oneself.

Child and Pet Care- Friends and family members are great options when it comes to finding someone to take care of your family or even your pets when entering rehab. There are also non-profit, government and private facilities of children and pets as well.

 

Family and Friends Guide to Drug Rehabilitation

Drug rehabilitation can be hard on everyone involved not just the person entering rehab. These tips can be helpful.

First off, know that your loved one is in very good hands. Now is the time to take a breath and relax. Right now your loved one is exactly where they need to be to get the help that they need. The best way to support them is to find healing for yourself during their healing process. For many family members and friends this seems a bit absurd. Comments like “They are the ones with addiction, why do I need help” are made frequently. Honestly, drug addiction doesn’t just affect one person. It can affect that person’s entire circle. Now is the time to focus on yourself.

So start by just simply taking a breath.

Now, take an assessment of yourself. Where are you at on a mental and physical level? Are you exhausted? Are you stressed? Are you confused? Are you angry? These are all natural feelings and emotions when it comes to watching a loved one enter rehab. Now is the time to think about a support groups. Support groups are just for people with an addiction, there are many groups available for the family members and friends of someone suffering from an addiction. These groups are full of people who are facing the same feelings and emotions that you are so it can be a great place to vent and get some advice as well.

These two things are very important because at some point, you’ll be allowed to go visit your loved one in rehab. During this time you’ll want to make sure you are thinking rationally and that you are not emanating anger because your loved one will pick up on it.

You can also do some research on addiction. Often times, anger comes from lack of knowledge. We become confused which can cause frustration which leads to negative feelings. Learning more about addiction, its symptoms, it’s treatment and what you can do once your loved one leaves rehab can be extremely rewarding for a successful sobriety rate for your loved one.

FAQ Klonopin:

• Is Klonopin Dangerous?

Yes. Even though Klonopin is a prescription medication, it can lead to issues with dependency and addiction. Typically, this medication is prescribed for a short term period. Due to the nature of its euphoric high, the drug is often abused which can lead to adverse health issues.

• How Long Does Klonopin Stay In Your System?

It takes 1-2 days for Klonopin to half-way leave a person’s system and it can take anywhere from 4-14 days to completely leave the system. The amount of time varies from person to person based on body mass/fat, genetics, food intake, age, weight, height, hepatic function, dosage, frequency/duration of use, other drugs/alcohol used, metabolic rate and urinary pH.

• Will Klonopin Show Up On A Drug Test?

Yes. Klonopin will show up a on a standard drug test. If the drug has been prescribed, just bring a doctor’s note stating that with you to a drug test.

• Can Klonopin Be Combined With Alcohol?

No. When Klonopin and alcohol are combined together the combination can be lethal. The drug already slows down the central nervous system so when alcohol is added, the effects can lead to fatal breathing problems.

• Can Klonopin Be Combined With Other Drugs?

Mixing drugs can always lead to unwanted symptoms and severe health problems. This drug should never be mixed with opioids or other benzos like Xanax or Ativan. Mixing these drugs together can cause severe sedation that could lead to slow breathing or no breathing at all. It is always important to ask a doctor before mixing any medications together.

Other common Klonopin questions people ask:

• What is Klonopin?
• What is Klonopin used to treat?
• Is Klonopin dangerous?
• Does Klonopin make you sleepy?
• How does klonopin make you feel?
• Is Klonopin addictive?
• How much Klonopin can you take in one day?
• Can you get addicted to .5mg of Klonopin?
• Does Klonopin cause memory loss?