Withdrawal to Klonopin can be ultimately challenging especially without medical supervision. Holding back the urge to return to substance use is primarily one of the strongest hurdles in getting past the detox phase. It is important to note that falling off a withdrawal treatment poses multiple health risks that can be extremely unfavorable in the long run.
When a person is determined to reach optimum recovery from the physical dependence established by the use of Klonopin, it is best to consider seeking professional care. A medical team can effectively design a treatment plan that can work well with the patient’s overall health condition, ensuring tolerable symptoms and safe treatment.
The following are a few means that can help ease the pain of detoxing from Klonopin. Although the intensity of withdrawal, as well as the length of treatment, totally varies for every person, these steps have long been proven to be generally useful in making withdrawal symptoms more manageable.
Follow a slow taper schedule
Tapering off one’s dosage is very helpful in limiting the severity of withdrawal symptoms that one can experience. By slowly eliminating the substance in the bloodstream, it is much easier for the body to cope with the chemical changes in the brain and be able to adapt to tolerate lower doses.
When a person quits the cold turkey of the substance, the body feels overwhelmed and the usual function of the drug which is to block the number of hormones that trigger intense brain activity suddenly stops and gives way to a surge of chemicals that causes both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
Individuals who have been abusing the drug for a long period are at a high risk of encountering serious symptoms that can be difficult to overcome without medical prescriptions. Moreover, since Klonopin is a popular choice of pairing up with other addictive substances to reach intense euphoria, users are more vulnerable to severe complications.
A tapering schedule is not determined by personal choice since physicians would typically work on one that allows the body to respond positively. Medical expertise is needed for this case because sometimes doses are adjusted high and low depending on how much the body can endure. It is critical to set doses without medical guidance due to the risk of overdose.
Multiple overdose deaths have been associated with benzodiazepines such as Klonopin. During withdrawal, overdose can likely happen because once a person starts detoxing, the body’s tolerance to the substance decreases, and taking the usual dose to alleviate one’s pain may be too much for the body to endure.
Studies support that the slower the taper, the more effective the treatment could reach recovery. Although some schedules take a maximum of one year to complete, patients from these cases enjoy the benefit of being free from the potential of relapse in the long run. Of course, a tapering schedule is not the only means to achieve optimum health.
Adhere to medical supervision
When a person adheres to medical supervision, one can guarantee a safe treatment. The benefits of being medically monitored include ensuring that the treatment plan is continuously working and preventing complications from getting worse. When one undergoes medical detox, vital signs are constantly checked and drugs can be prescribed to help one cope with any pain or discomfort that kicks in at the time being.
There are no FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of Klonopin withdrawal. However, some have off-label uses that help ease the cravings for the drug and prevent serious symptoms from causing extreme pain. Gabapentin, a highly addictive opioid substance, is being studied as to whether it can work effectively and safely with Klonopin withdrawal or not.
Using antidepressants can calm down seizures during withdrawal. Anticonvulsants can also be used to prevent it from happening. When individuals suffer from a lack of sleep, rest, or fatigue, sleeping aids such as Melatonin can be prescribed too. Over-the-counter drugs can also treat usual pain such as headaches, nausea, and more.
Despite the accessibility of these drugs in treating withdrawal especially with the guidance of a physician, a lot of experts would still highly recommend the use of a slow taper schedule in the process as it helps in preventing the extreme pain from withdrawal. These drugs might even be unnecessary in some cases.
Engage in post-detox treatment
It is not enough to fully rely on the completion of a withdrawal treatment plan that includes a slow taper and intake of prescribed drugs. Although these are highly effective, nobody can predict up to what extent relapse may start knocking in again. Experts continue to emphasize the value of taking psychological interventions to boost one’s emotional state.
Even after finishing your detox treatment, there is still risk for relapse. That’s why it’s best to have continued counseling and therapies. This strengthens your foundation to stay sober for life. With substance addiction involved in the process, it is important to resolve the underlying cause of this condition before moving forward.
After coping with the physical and psychological load of withdrawal, it would be helpful to engage in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy as this can help one gain the skills needed to resist the temptation of giving in to cravings for the drug. Sessions can also help in letting go of instances that attach them to substance abuse as well as coping with what triggers it.
Other therapies include Motivational Interviewing, a session that rewards individuals who pass a drug test. This also helps in boosting a person’s inner motivation to fight off substance addiction and continue pursuing a drug-free life. Apart from this, external support is also beneficial in the progress of one’s treatment.
The love and support from family and friends are great factors that help one reach the goal of living a quality life. At the end of the day, no matter how long and how tough the withdrawal treatment has been, reaching recovery makes everything all worth it. All the more when it is coupled with building better relationships with people who matter the most.