Klonopin High: What Are the Intoxicating Effects of Clonazepam?

Key Takeaways

• Klonopin Overview: A benzodiazepine used to treat panic disorders and seizures, with potential for abuse and dependence.
• High Effects: Relaxation and euphoria, but also memory loss, irritability, and vivid dreams.
• Dosage Risks: Varies by individual factors; higher risks when combined with alcohol or opioids.
• Abuse Methods: Snorting increases abuse potential and risk of addiction and overdose.
• Overdose Symptoms: Includes drowsiness, slurred speech, motor impairment, respiratory depression, and coma.
• Long-Term Risks: Cognitive impairment, increased Alzheimer’s risk, tolerance, dependence, and severe withdrawal symptoms.
• Dangerous Combinations: Mixing Klonopin with alcohol can lead to fatal consequences.
• Recovery Support: The Recovery Village Salem provides specialized treatment for Klonopin addiction, offering a path to a healthier, substance-free life.

Klonopin, commonly known by street names such as k-pins, k-cuts, and super Valium, is a medication prescribed to manage panic disorders and specific types of seizures. As a benzodiazepine, or benzo, Klonopin functions by attaching to GABA receptors in the brain, which decreases nerve excitability and induces a calming effect.

The FDA categorizes Klonopin as a Schedule IV controlled substance, indicating its potential for abuse and dependence. Among benzodiazepines, Klonopin and Xanax are associated with the highest rates of abuse-related emergency room visits.

Does Klonopin Get You High?

Klonopin acts as a central nervous system depressant, slowing down brain activity. Users often experience a “high” characterized by relaxation and, in some cases, euphoria. Some individuals misuse Klonopin to aid sleep, reduce social anxiety, or escape from stressful and anxiety-provoking situations.

Klonopin impacts both the body and mind. Physically, it induces drowsiness and relaxes the body, while mentally, it can create a sense of tranquility. However, it is also associated with side effects such as memory impairment, irritability, and vivid dreams.

How Much Klonopin Does It Take To Get High?

Klonopin is available in tablet form, either to be swallowed whole or to dissolve under the tongue, with dosages ranging from 0.125 mg to 2 mg. There is no universal dosage that induces a “high,” as the required amount varies based on factors like age and body weight. For instance, older adults or individuals with smaller body sizes may require lower doses to achieve calming and euphoric effects.

Additionally, combining Klonopin with alcohol or other medications like opioids can significantly amplify the high, increasing the risk of overdose and fatality.

Can You Get High From Snorting Klonopin?

Some individuals abuse Klonopin by crushing tablets and snorting them to achieve a more immediate high compared to swallowing the pill. This method accelerates the drug’s onset, heightening its abuse potential. Snorting Klonopin leads to a faster but shorter-lived high, which can prompt repeated use, fostering rapid tolerance development and increasing the risk of addiction and overdose.

What Does Klonopin High Feel Like?

Users of benzodiazepines like Klonopin often report feelings of euphoria and enhanced positivity, which can help them temporarily forget their problems. The drug’s calming and sedative properties are also noted. However, it can also induce a “zombie-like” state, characterized by sluggish movements, slowed thinking, delayed physical and emotional responses, a sense of imbalance, and coordination difficulties.

How Long Does a Klonopin High Last?

The duration of a Klonopin high depends on various factors, including the user’s age, weight, dosage, and concurrent use of alcohol or other drugs. Klonopin reaches peak blood concentrations within one to four hours, during which its psychoactive effects are most pronounced. Effects may begin as soon as 20 minutes after ingestion and can persist beyond four hours as the drug remains in the system.

Klonopin Abuse and Alcohol: A Dangerous Combination

Combining Klonopin with alcohol is highly dangerous since both substances depress the central nervous system. This combination can lead to extreme sedation, slowed breathing, low blood pressure, overdose, and even death.

Alcohol is implicated in 25% of benzodiazepine-related emergency room visits and 20% of benzodiazepine-related deaths. Attempting to enhance a high by mixing Klonopin with alcohol can result in severe and fatal outcomes.

Klonopin Overdose Symptoms

Overdosing on Klonopin, whether taken alone or with other substances like opioids or alcohol, can manifest through various symptoms, including:

• Excessive drowsiness
• Double vision
• Slurred speech
• Motor impairment (weakness, tremors, muscle spasms, twitches, poor balance)
• Reduced breathing rate
• Low blood oxygen levels
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Cardiac arrest
• Coma

The Long-Term Effects of Klonopin Abuse

Chronic misuse or abuse of Klonopin carries numerous risks and side effects. Long-term use can lead to cognitive deficits, including memory loss, impaired reasoning and judgment, reduced decision-making abilities, and difficulties in focusing. It also increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, with studies showing an 84% higher risk in individuals using benzodiazepines for over six months compared to non-users.

Klonopin can cause tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects, and dependence, where the body cannot function normally without the drug. Abrupt cessation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Tremors and shaking
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Excessive sweating
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

Prolonged use heightens the risk of addiction, potentially devastating relationships, family dynamics, and work responsibilities. The likelihood of overdose also increases, which can be fatal. Individuals struggling with Klonopin addiction should seek assistance from a licensed rehabilitation facility. The Recovery Village Salem is an accredited rehab center offering those struggling with Klonopin addiction a path toward a healthier, recovery-focused life. Contact us today to learn more about our Klonopin addiction treatment programs and begin your journey to recovery.