Am I Addicted to Klonopin?
Klonopin abuse is a growing problem amongst teens and adults alike. According to Trends in Prescription Drug Abuse, non-medical use of benzodiazepines such as Klonopin is a growing problem throughout the United States. Unfortunately, determining whether you are addicted to Klonopin can be difficult because most users are inclined to justify their drug use and deny problems despite the severity of the issue at hand.
The following signs of Klonopin addiction may be present in someone who needs help:
Tolerance
If you feel depressed, uneasy, or restless without klonopin you may be developing an addiction.
People who regularly take Klonopin are likely to develop a tolerance that makes it difficult to achieve the goal of feeling “high” from the drug. Increased tolerance will cause the need to take excessively larger or more frequent doses of Klonopin in order to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay or in order to feel “good” from the medication.
Tolerance is also responsible for an increased risk of overdose as users attempt to take larger, more dangerous doses of Klonopin in an effort to reproduce the early effects of the drug.
Withdrawal
Repeat use of Klonopin will lead to physical dependence that results in withdrawal symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of withdrawal that appear when klonopin addiction is present include:
- depression
- anxiety
- fear
- paranoia
- restlessness
- shaking
Loss of Control
If you are addicted to Klonopin, you may experience a complete loss of control over your use of the drug. You will take more of the drug than you plan to use, you may use the drug even when you promise you won’t and you may even want to stop using but despite your desire you cannot wither up the courage, strength or control to quit.
Life Revolves Around Klonopin
Does your life revolve around using Klonopin? Do you focus much of your time on using Klonopin? When you can’t use Klonopin are you unhappy or otherwise miserable? If your life revolves around using Klonopin or getting more doses of the drug then you might be addicted to Klonopin.
Activity Changes
People who are addicted to Klonopin or other drugs will often change the activities that they take part in so that they can use the drugs. Hobbies are often abandoned in favor of drug use and there are usually changes in friendships or social groups too.
Consequences Don’t Stop Drug Use
Have you suffering health, legal, relationship, financial or other consequences as a result of Klonopin use? If you have been in trouble with the law, if you have had fights with a loved one, if you have failed to pay bills or if you have suffered any health or other consequence as a result of your drug use and you continue to use, you are likely addicted.