Signs of clonazepam addiction revolve around acquiring the prescription medication and may present as withdrawal symptoms when individuals stop taking the drug. Health care providers typically prescribe the benzodiazapine for seizure or anxiety disorders. Clonazepam acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and interacts with other substances producing a CNS response.
Taking clonazepam over extended periods of time may lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses. As clonezepam is a controlled substance narcotic, the increasing dosage may lead to addiction. A sign of a possible addiction is a physical need to take the medication regularly. Individuals may develop a need to take clonzepam more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed to cope with everyday life. Patients may use the medication recreationally or for purposes other than the disorder for which it was originally prescribed.
Individuals who have a clonazepam addiction spend increasing amounts of time and energy acquiring the medication. They may become overly concerned about having enough of the drug on hand or being unable to acquire prescriptions they cannot afford. Patients may resort to theft or other risky behaviors in order to obtain it and may continue taking the medication to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
The severity of clonazepam addiction withdrawal symptoms increases with higher dosages and extended use. Symptoms include anxiety with increased irritability and aggressive behavior. Physical symptoms commonly accompanying anxiety include increased blood pressure and heart rate, insomnia, and elevated levels of sensory sensitivity. Individuals might also exhibit psychotic behavior or experience hallucinations. Severely dependent patients suffer symptoms comparable to those of withdrawal from alcohol or illicit drugs, including tremors or seizures, accompanied by physical illness, including abdominal and muscle cramping, nausea and vomiting.
Physicians typically prescribe clonazepam for mild motor seizures. Patients might also be prescribed the medication for anxiety or panic disorders. Common side effects of clonazepam include drowsiness, fatigue, and dizziness, and patients can experience slurred speech, lack of physical coordination, confusion, and memory loss. Depression and suicidal tendencies may also develop.
Researchers believe that clonazepam enhances the effects of gamma amino butyric acid, commonly called GABA. This chemical inhibits neurotransmitter activity in the central nervous system. This depressant action increases when combined with alcohol, barbiturates, hypnotics and other antianxiety and psychotropic medications. Psychotropic medications that can produce an adverse reaction when combined with clonazepam include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, commonly called MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and other anticonvulsant medications.
