Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. You might worry about things like health, money, or family problems. But people with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) feel extremely worried or feel nervous about these and other things—even when it is little or no reason to worry about them. People with GAD find it difficult to control their anxiety and stay focused on daily tasks.
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What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is diagnosed when a person finds it difficult to control worry on more days than not for at least six months and has three or more symptoms. This differentiates Generalized Anxiety Disorder from worry that may be specific to a set stressor or for a more limited period.
Signs and Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
- Feeling nervous, irritable, or on edge
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation), sweating, and/or trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Difficulty concentrating
- Having trouble sleeping
- Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
GAD is treatable by visiting your doctor and getting evaluated. Benzodiazepine is an anti-anxiety medication used to treat anxiety and to treat and/or prevent certain types of seizures. One of the most commonly prescribed medications in this class is Klonopin.
The Link Between Klonopin and Anxiety Disorders
Klonopin, which is the brand name for clonazepam, is a long-acting benzodiazepine. It is used to slow down brain activity to help users feel relaxed. Initially, it was formulated to help people with epilepsy manage seizures. Later, the drug’s rapid and powerful calming effects were also recognized as a way to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Klonopin is also often prescribed to ease panic attacks and withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and other addictive substances. Doctors may also prescribe Klonopin for short-term insomnia. Slang terms for Klonopin include k-pins, tranks, downers, or benzos.
This class of sedative medications is among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States and the world. The National Library of Medicine (NCBI) reported that, in 2008, Approximately 75 million prescriptions for benzos were written in the United States. The prevalence of benzos use in the general population is 4% to 5%. Usage increases with age, and women are prescribed benzos twice as often as men. Because these drugs are so common, they are diverted for misuse or abuse and sometimes sold illegally.
What is Klonopin Used For?
Klonopin is a benzodiazepine prescribed for short-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorders, insomnia, and panic disorders, but the drug is very addictive. The reason for the short-term use is because, after a few weeks, most people will develop a physical dependence. It doesn’t matter if you were taking the prescription as directed, there is a high chance that once you stop taking the drug, you will start to have some form of withdrawal after a few hours or days.
For the use of Klonopin, Just like any other substance, the severity of your withdrawal will depend on many factors:
- Your current Klonopin dose
- How long you’ve been taking it
- Whether you regularly mix it with other drugs or alcohol
- Your age and physical health
The withdrawal symptoms of Klonopin is very similar to withdrawal from alcohol. Both are probably the worst withdrawal you could experience and the only one you could die from if you don’t have supervised medical detox. You can feel anxious and have flu-like symptoms. They can be severe or mild and they can come and go.
Klonopin Addiction Rehab at Garden State Treatment
If you or someone you love needs alcohol or drug treatment in New Jersey or out-of-state, you’ve come to the right place and we’re very glad that you’re here. You’ve taken the all-important first step toward relief, and that’s what we want for you and your family.
Right now, you or a loved one need compassionate professionals who understand what you’re experiencing. Fortunately, that’s exactly what we are at Garden State Treatment Center. We’re an experienced and highly trained team that has helped pull hundreds of families just like yours from the jaws of addiction and despair. Let Garden State Treatment Center get your life back.