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Beach House Recovery Center » Blog » Snorting Klonopin: Dangers & Side Effects of Snorting This Benzo
Benzodiazepines, called “benzos” for short, besides their therapeutic effects, have another notable effect that quickly captured public fancy among some demographic groups and facilitated a deep dive toward abuse: euphoria. For those looking for a quicker high, the notion that crushing benzos and snorting them, just as recreational or non-medical users of other prescription drugs sometimes do, has become a pervasive habit with wide-ranging real and potentially dangerous long-term effects and consequences.
Klonopin and the generic version clonazepam belongs to the benzodiazepines class of drugs that includes a broad group of central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Benzodiazepines received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1960s and were thought at the time to be a safer alternative to barbiturates. Klonopin, along with other benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Ativan, is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means that, while there is a medical benefit to its use, there is also the potential for abuse and dependence.
The habit of popping pills to cure every imaginable condition is likely embedded in popular culture. Indeed, many early potions, elixirs, and concoctions were hawked to an unknowing and gullible public, touting the ability to cure conditions as disparate as baldness, gastrointestinal distress, gout, headache, infertility, insomnia, and scores more. Even medically prescribed medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) often are indicated for multiple diagnosable conditions.
Millions of Americans are prescribed benzodiazepines such as Klonopin to treat anxiety disorders. The anti-anxiety prescription drug is also prescribed for those diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, and other ailments. In fact, one in 20 Americans filled a benzodiazepine prescription within the last year. The rate is substantially higher in women than men and increases with age. A 2014 study found that one in every 10 high school seniors in the U.S. had some exposure to benzodiazepines, either medically or nonmedically. Among young adults frequenting the drug scene and who use drugs, benzodiazepine use, misuse and dependence are high.
No high achieved by snorting Klonopin (or the generic clonazepam) is worth taking a chance on its dangerous side effects, however. Consider the fact that there are increasing risks to continuing to abuse this benzodiazepine via snorting:
No matter how your habit of using benzodiazepines began, crossing over from medically-prescribed prescription to dependence or because of long-term nonmedical use for the purposes of getting high, curbing your intake on your own is inadvisable. For one thing, once the euphoric effects of the drug wear off, withdrawal begins to set in. Benzo withdrawal can be quite difficult and is best accomplished through a medical detoxification program.
The lengthy list of withdrawal symptoms for benzodiazepines such as Klonopin include:
Other withdrawal symptoms experienced by some during benzodiazepine withdrawal include:
Occasionally experienced by those with long-term benzodiazepine abuse or who ingested high dosages are more extreme benzo withdrawal symptoms:
Symptoms of Klonopin (and clonazepam) overdose requiring immediate medical attention include:
Note that when combined with other drugs of abuse, an overdose of Klonopin or clonazepam can lead to coma and death.
There is help for overcoming addiction to benzodiazepines such as Klonopin. The official diagnosis is a benzodiazepine substance use disorder. The first step is making the decision to get treatment. That’s often the most difficult due to denial there’s a problem, feeling like it’s manageable, or confusion about the best approach to take. Treatment choices include inpatient or residential treatment, or outpatient treatment. Both evidence-based treatment options generally include detoxification from the drug and some combination of psychotherapy and various other forms of counseling and other therapies to help in coping with dependency symptoms, such as craving, and any underlying psychiatric symptoms.
Resolve to get professional help to overcome Klonopin addiction. While the habit may have started innocently enough, once it’s out of control or has led to serious negative consequences, it’s time to put a stop to this hazard to physical and mental health – not to mention the dire consequences addiction can cause to family and loved ones.
If you’re struggling with Klonopin dependency, freedom is possible. Contact us today to explore your treatment options.
Sources:
Addiction. “Effectiveness of current treatment approaches for benzodiazepine discontinuation: a meta-analysis.” Retrieved January 16, 2018.
Addictive Behaviors. “Medical and Nonmedical Uses of Prescription Benzodiazepine Anxiolytics Among U.S. High School Seniors.” Retrieved January 15, 2018.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine. “Emergency Department Visits and Overdose Deaths From Combined Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines.” Retrieved January 15, 2018.
American Journal of Public Health. “Increasing Benzodiazepine Prescriptions and Overdose Mortality in the United States, 1996-2013.” Retrieved January 15, 2018.
Australian Prescriber. “Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.” Retrieved January 16, 2018.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. “Psychosocial interventions for benzodiazepine harmful use, abuse or dependence.” Retrieved January 15, 2018.
JAMA Psychiatry. “Benzodiazepine Use in the United States.” Retrieved January 15, 2018.
JAMA Psychiatry. “Why Are Benzodiazepines Not Yet Controlled Substances?” Retrieved January 15, 2018.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. “Benzodiazepine dependence among young adult participants in the club scene who use drugs.” Retrieved January 15, 2018.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. “The role of craving in relapse after discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use.” Retrieved January 16, 2018.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Motivational Interviewing.”
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
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