Klonopin Detox

What Is Klonopin Detox?

Medical detox is a process that helps you slowly transition or “taper” off Klonopin while managing or preventing withdrawal symptoms. You’ll take smaller and smaller doses of Klonopin or a substitute benzodiazepine until you can safely go without it.

Licensed medical professionals or clinicians will supervise your progress so they can intervene if there are complications.

Klonopin detox can take place at live-in facilities or on an outpatient basis. You can undergo medical detox as an individual treatment or as part of a rehabilitation (rehab) program.

Klonopin (generic name clonazepam) can treat mental health issues and other disorders, from panic disorder and anxiety disorders to epilepsy, insomnia, or restless leg syndrome.

But as a benzodiazepine, it also has the potential to cause physical dependence and abuse. An estimated 5.3 million people abuse “benzos” like Klonopin every year.

Is It Safe to Detox from Klonopin at Home?

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause intense symptoms, in some cases life-threatening, like seizures. For that reason, you shouldn’t attempt to go through a Klonopin detox without medical supervision.

Many people can still receive treatment at home if they go through an outpatient medical detox program. You’ll visit the clinic for appointments.

Ideal candidates for outpatient detox are those who can arrive at treatment daily, have no history of withdrawal seizures or hallucinations, and ideally have a trusted family member or friend to support their treatment.

What to Expect During Klonopin Detox

Klonopin is a slower-acting benzodiazepine; it has a longer half-life than other benzos (like Xanax) and stays in your system longer.

It may cause less severe withdrawal symptoms (provided that you follow a tapering schedule).

That said, the effects of Klonopin are also potent, which can make a smooth taper off the drug more difficult—especially if the person is taking it in high doses.

Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest switching to an equivalent dose of an even slower-acting benzodiazepine, like diazepam, at the beginning of your detox to ease the transition.

Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms

Acute withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 24-72 hours after the last Klonopin dose.

Even when you follow a tapering schedule, you may still experience withdrawal symptoms during a Klonopin detox, such as the following:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Rapid heart rate
• Depression
• Panic attacks
• Cravings for more Klonopin
• High blood pressure
• Irritability or agitation
• Poor concentration and memory
• Suicidal thoughts
• Ear ringing
• Mood swings
• Muscle pain and stiffness
• Faintness or dizziness
• Hallucinations

Klonopin withdrawal symptoms typically start two to seven days after your last dose and can last for two to eight weeks or longer, depending on the length of your taper.

Some people quit their detox programs because of the withdrawal symptoms. However, a healthcare professional may be able to recommend complementary prescription drugs for temporary relief, like antiemetics for nausea and vomiting.

Over-the-counter options may also help certain symptoms, like ibuprofen for headaches.

Long-Term Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms

While rare, some people can develop long-term withdrawal symptoms due to a complication called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS.)

PAWS can cause many of the same symptoms seen during a short-term withdrawal, like anxiety or gastrointestinal issues, and can last from a few months to a year or longer.

However, PAWS only occurs in around 10 to 15% of people who withdraw from benzodiazepines, and the risk is greater in people who don’t follow tapering schedules.

Klonopin Detox Timeline

Your medical detox program will customize a tapering schedule for you based on your usual dosage and the amount of time you’ve taken the drug. It’s best to wait at least a week between dosage reductions; longer tapers tend to be smoother.

The following table shows examples of Klonopin tapering schedules:

Amount of time on Klonopin	Minimum length of taper
Up to 8 weeks	2 weeks
Up to 6 months	4 weeks
Up to 1 year	8 weeks
Over 1 year	6 months

What Happens After Klonopin Detox?

Medical detox helps you get Klonopin out of your system, but it doesn’t address your mental health or any underlying causes of drug abuse. So, many people could benefit from further treatment with one or more of the following treatment options.

Klonopin Rehab

Rehab treatment centers are places where people dealing with substance use disorders can receive medical intervention and counseling to gain new coping skills and maintain sobriety.

Both inpatient and outpatient rehab options are available for Klonopin addiction.

Therapy

Therapy interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are linked to better success rates for benzodiazepine addictions than tapering alone. However, other therapy styles may also be helpful for people with different mental health concerns.

Klonopin Support Groups

12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer support and connection opportunities for individuals with drug addictions and their loved ones. You can find meetings in your area by visiting NA’s meeting finder.

Find Klonopin Detox and Addiction Treatment

Klonopin detox helps you slowly transition off the drug while preventing life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. It’s an invaluable first step in addiction treatment and can be done on its own or as a part of a treatment program.

If you or a loved one are struggling with Klonopin use and addiction, resources are available to help.

Remember that three out of four people eventually recover from addiction. Just by reaching out, you’re already on the journey to recovery.

You can take the first step by visiting SAMHSA’s online treatment locator or our treatment support page.