Started Klonopin today...what are your thoughts on the highly addictive medication for anxiety?

Question

I know this medication is HIGHLY addictive. I have even answered questions on here warning people of just how harmful this medication is. My pdoc put me on .5mg today and told me that if I didn't like it to just stop taking it. The Vistaril I am on just wasn't working...even with the higher dose. So, she wants to give Klonopin a try. I have my reservation about this med, but my pdoc has never done me wrong and most of all I trust her. So now I am on Vistaril 50mg twice a day and Klonopin .5mg twice a day. (along with a ton of other meds I am taking)

Just looking for all types of feedback!

Thank you so kindly for you time and answers.

Hugs,

Lesli

Answer 1

Don't look for the high, just the reduced anxiety effect.  Some ppl end up wanting more because they no longer get a buzz and mistakenly believe that the buzz is necessary to control the anxiety.  It's not.  I know someone with bipolar who has been on 1mg or less for years.  It's all about medicating a problem, not abusing a substance.  Morphine isn't addictive when it's used for pain management.  So, be real careful about thinking that you need more and if less than prescribed works, go with that.

Btw, I'd say go with SSRIs, but I think I've seen you say that you are bipolar, and since SSRIs and bipolar don't always mix well, I'll pass on that commentary.

Answer 2

I absolutely love Klonopin.  I have been on it for several years and wouldnt do without it for anxiety and panic attacks.  When I went to my pdoc years ago, I asked him about xanax.  He said no, because of the addictiveness of it.  He said Klonopin is less addictive, and has a longer half life.

I assume you are suffering from anxiety and panic attacks.  You may want to ask your doctor about an antidepressant too.  When I get the antidepressant into my system, I can and easily do back off the Klonopin.

I have also had no side effects from stopping it cold turkey.

If you need to or want to talk more, please feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 3

If it is taken as prescribed, then usually there are no issues.  It's when people start getting used to their doseage and instead of asking their doctor about it, they start taking an extra one here and there.  Definitely start out by taking maybe 1/2 tablet, see what that does to you.  then up it from there.  

Answer 4

I have no experience with Klonopin but I am on something very similar called lorazepam. It is a fast acting anxiety medication that I can't get through the day without because my anxiety is incredibly horrible! Try not to worry because if you take it as perscribed you shouldn't have any issues. Your doctor knows your medical background and weight so she has probably given you the dosage that she believes will benefit you the most. These medications can make people become dependent on them only if they let themselves. I myself feel somewhat dependent on Lorazepam but not in an "If I don't take this medicine today im going to freak out!" way its more of a "I'm so glad I found something I can take daily to calm me down." So I dont look at it as being dependent. I mean if you are on a medication you are dependent on it. Addicted would be abusing it to me. Also Klonopin doesnt have to be taken twice daily if you dont want to. You should talk to your doctor. But the fast acting anxiety medications such as klonopin and lorazepam can be taken as needed which will help your body not become so dependent. For a while I was only taking it when I felt an attack coming on but I am pregnant and wasn't eating well due to my anxiety so my doctor put me on .5mg twice daily of lorazepam alone with prozac 10mg and considering I was on 1mg 3x daily the lorazepam doesnt do exactly what it used to but it does keep me calmer than I would be. Best of luck to you!

Answer 5

Lesli, I am bipolar and had my anxiety disorder aggrevated by some of the antidepressants I was taking.  The antidepressants were working but my doctor, who was seeing me then, prescribed Buspar to offset  this side effect.  That wasn't a good combination with my other meds.  So he put me on Klonopin, .5mg, 3x/day.  It is fast acting and it worked.

You are good to be concerned about possible addiction as was I.  My doctor back then reassured me (and I have other doctors since confirm this) that .5mg is a very low dose.  This medication was orignally developed for people with seizures and they would be  given much higher doses.  A person, though, still needs to monitor it.

The counselor I have now likes to see me on less meds and be able to better myself by undoing my "wacky" thinking.  She does know that brain chemistry is what it is and that medication is sometimes warranted.  But she has given me tools and uses my deep faith in God to better cope with my disorder.  I lately have been taking Klonopin less or not at all as I have become better at cognitively controlling my anxiety.

My psychiatrist also listens to me when I have a question or concern about my meds.  This is really important to me.

Like you, I take a lot of meds.  I have insurance with prescription coverage through my wife's work place.  But I still have $300-$400/month out-of-pocket expense for my meds.  I understand your situation and hope that you are able to afford your meds.  As much as I would like not to be on them, I realized they do help me.  My goal is to get to a point where I only have to take a minimal amount.  Good counseling and God is helping me to do this.

Hope this is of some help.  God bless.  Go with the grace of God.

Answer 6

if its going to help you, its worth a try. and with such a low dose as that, i think you should be alright.  

Answer 7

Klonopin is addictive only at HIGH dosages.  You are on a dose that will barely make a difference.  Generally 1mg or 2mg is a theraputic dose for anxiety syndrome.  It is very effective and long lasting.  You may feel a little euphoric, or a little sleepy at first, but those side-effects go away after a few weeks.

You are worried about addiction because you are, by nature, a worrier!

Klonopin (clonazepam) is given in very much higher dosages for seizure control than for anxiety.  Try to relax.  I've been taking that stuff for over 20 years and I often stop for up to a month if I don't feel I need it.  Never had a feeling that I had an addiction to it.  (And...it is cheap!)

This is an old, proven, maintenance medication for many people.  So let it do its magic for you and trust your pdoc.

Answer 8

Because of unfortunate events in my life, I found myself highly anxious and depressed.  I drank alcohol to avoid panic attacks and nightmares.  I went to the doctor.  He prescribed 1mg of Klonopin a day for 15 days to see how it goes.  It really calmed me down.  Almost too much, though.  It makes me really drowsy in the evening, but this had the added benefit of almost not allowing me to drink at all.  I cut the dose in half because I didn't like feeling out of it so much.  Then, the other morning I forgot about taking one, left on a trip, and left the pills at home.  Guess what?  My mind started racing again and I got the familiar adrenaline type feeling back.  Today I got home and took a pill and now I feel pretty calm again.  Nicely drowsy, not stressed.  One thing it doesn't do, and I'm going to ask the doc about this, is it does leave the same depressive thoughts.  And, I don't really feel motivated to do much around here.  I don't know if that's the depression, the sedation, or both.  I would recommend it but you may have to experiment with the dosage.

Answer 9

I  used to take benzos for anxiety. I now take a natural "mood enhancer" called "SAM-e" that you can buy pretty much wherever vitamins are sold. It is over the counter but a little pricey. I take the 400mg dose daily and, for me, it works extremely well.

Answer 10

I took it for about 3 years.  It is a very good medication.  

Answer 11

never been on that one but i know my temazepam got me addicted pretty fast and they r in the same family (benzos)...jsut be careful...make sure ur doctor is monitoring u fairly closely.

take care

marissa ^_^

Answer 12

I got very addicted to it, taking it as often as possible (every 8 hours). When I finally realized this wasn't quite right, and stopped (by flushing the pills), it was very hard to "withdraw". I was shaky and incredibly nervous. Be careful with it.

Answer 13

My husband has taken it for a while and he does good on it. As with any meds, take it as your doctor has prescribed. If you feel it isn't working for you, call the doctor.  I hope it helps you, a lot of people won't take the meds because of what others have said about it. It is a good med if you can take it. You seem to trust you doc so I wouldn't worry about it. God Bless!

Answer 14

Hi Lesli,

I take Klonopin, as needed to help with sleep or anxiety.  I have been prescribed it off and on for many years now, and have never found myself getting addicted to it.  I don't know, however, that I have an addictive personality, for sure.

Like you I am prescribed 0.5mg. At times I will even cut the pill in half, and have had benefit from that dosage.

I can honestly tell you that it does help me with anxiety, and when I need to quiet my thoughts some, due to anxiety I will take a Klonopin to help me sleep and it works.

From my experience in working with people who have been addicted to anxiety meds, I can tell you it seems that Xanax would be the med to be most worried about, rather than Klonopin which I feel is much safer.

Any other questions about Klonopin, please feel free to ask.

Answer 15

Hi.

I've been on Klonopin (Clonazepam) 2mg three times a day for several years.  My 69 year old mother has been on it for 12 years!!

It's really not that addictive.  It IS abusable.  Don't drink (or limit your drinks to one or two) since klonopin will make you more intoxicated.

I have essential tremor (my nervous system shakes similar to parkinson's patients).  Sometimes when I'm really bad I've taken as much as 50mg at once (not recommended).  I just got tired and fell asleep.

Klonopin is actually fairly harmless to your body and if you don't abuse it you won't notice any form of addiction to it.  Even though I've taken rediculous doses of it I NEVER feel the need to use or abuse it.

Just on occasion when my nerves are really bad (beer helps me, but the last thing I want to do is drink to calm my nerves) I'll take a higher than prescribed dose.

For you stick with the med at the prescribed dose and I promise you will NEVER even know that this drug has can be addictive.