1. < Depression & Anxiety

Klonopin Use

Posted by rclouv @rclouv, Jan 9 5:24pm

I’ve been struggling with anxiety for over 7 years. In addition to taking Desvenlafaxine, i also have been taking klonopin, an average of 3-4 milligrams a week. Usually separated by a couple of days (but occasionally back to back). I’ve been cutting back the last couple of weeks and am struggling. Could i be addicted using this small of a dose? My psychiatrist (only used for med management) says no. He said I’d need to be taking much more and daily to be addicted. Any answers?

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annhahn2025 | @annhahn2025 | 6 days ago
In reply to @rclouv "You’ve done a great job reducing your dose. Yes, I’d go very slowly at this last..." + (show)
@rclouv

You’ve done a great job reducing your dose. Yes, I’d go very slowly at this last phase.

Jump to this post

Thank you! I’m 50. I’m hoping by slowing it down I’ll have less side effects..just started Buspar as well.
I guesss I just need to listen to my body ? I know everyone is different..thansk for your positive post!

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annhahn2025 | @annhahn2025 | 6 days ago
In reply to @sears "Sounds to me like you’re on track here for someone that took Xanax at a high..." + (show)
@sears

Sounds to me like you’re on track here for someone that took Xanax at a high dose for 17 years. I did the same thing as you’re doing and paused my taper at times. I was in the thick of my taper all during the pandemic UGH! My sister passed away, my dog died, my son’s house burnt down, just to mention a few. The worst things happened while I was tapering! I have an extremely understanding doctor who was all on board and very patiently allowed me to taper completely down to a minute .1 mg of liquid Valium over about a five year period. The dropper lets you draw up tiny amounts of the liquid. It may sound ridiculous but this was absolutely the way I had to taper. I could not have gone any faster. My only advice, as you seem to be doing well, is to taper at your own pace, never go up in dose, and do whatever you need to do to stay as calm as possible. This worked for me, took a long time, but when all was said and done I’ve gotten this monkey off my back for which I’m eternally grateful. BTW I’m 72 years old. One more thing. I found taking Propanolol, a beta blocker, in a really low dose extremely helpful in the last few years of my taper. It was a Godsend. Please let me know how you’re doing. You can message me or let me know here. God Bless, you’re going to be okay, I promise.

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Thank you so much ! I feel so much better after your reply . And wow you had a lot happen during your taper..congrats for sticking with it ! That sounds like a lot!
I’ve read about the liquid form. I’m not sure if my psychiatrist would be on board with that he doesn’t force me to get off of the Valium but he thinks I could just stop 1.5 mg like that he told me I was basically on nothing but if I wanted to stay on it for a while while I could he prescribed BuSpar twice a day at a low dose 5 mg twice a day so I’m hoping that that will help but I have been feeling better the last few days. Again I feel like I went pretty slow with the Xanax but once I got on Valium, I think I went a little fast because I went per doctors orders I think even if I can’t get the liquid form, I could just weigh the pill when I get way down on a jewelry scale that’s what I did with the Xanax. It’s kind of tedious, but I could keep cutting away with the pill till I get to the very last crumb. It makes me feel better that there is someone out there that got through it and didn’t have really any side effects getting off probably because you went so slow. Best to listen to our bodies for sure. And I may message you sometime as you said I could I really really really appreciate it thank you thank you you so so much. It’s so wonderful to hear a success story and I can’t wait to get the monkey off my back either lol will be so nice to not be addicted to controlled meds anymore,!

Oh, and thanks for the suggestion of the propanolol. Right now, I’ve just been taking hydroxyzine at night to help me sleep, but I will look into that if the Buspar doesn’t do enough.

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1 reply
sears | @sears | 5 days ago
In reply to @annhahn2025 "Thank you so much ! I feel so much better after your reply . And wow..." + (show)
@annhahn2025

Thank you so much ! I feel so much better after your reply . And wow you had a lot happen during your taper..congrats for sticking with it ! That sounds like a lot!
I’ve read about the liquid form. I’m not sure if my psychiatrist would be on board with that he doesn’t force me to get off of the Valium but he thinks I could just stop 1.5 mg like that he told me I was basically on nothing but if I wanted to stay on it for a while while I could he prescribed BuSpar twice a day at a low dose 5 mg twice a day so I’m hoping that that will help but I have been feeling better the last few days. Again I feel like I went pretty slow with the Xanax but once I got on Valium, I think I went a little fast because I went per doctors orders I think even if I can’t get the liquid form, I could just weigh the pill when I get way down on a jewelry scale that’s what I did with the Xanax. It’s kind of tedious, but I could keep cutting away with the pill till I get to the very last crumb. It makes me feel better that there is someone out there that got through it and didn’t have really any side effects getting off probably because you went so slow. Best to listen to our bodies for sure. And I may message you sometime as you said I could I really really really appreciate it thank you thank you you so so much. It’s so wonderful to hear a success story and I can’t wait to get the monkey off my back either lol will be so nice to not be addicted to controlled meds anymore,!

Oh, and thanks for the suggestion of the propanolol. Right now, I’ve just been taking hydroxyzine at night to help me sleep, but I will look into that if the Buspar doesn’t do enough.

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Message me anytime.

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rick98 | @rick98 | 4 days ago

I have been prescribed Clonezepam generic for Klonopin over different periods of my life. I have a chronic episodic condition that has not been treatable with medications with any success. However, Klonopin has always helped a lot with my anxiety that comes and goes and usually helps me to sleep. This said, I am nearly 62 and have used Klonopin off and on for many years and have found that I can be off of it for a week sometimes 2 weeks and then I'll begin to have a sleepless night and take a small amount .5mg maybe 1mg although at certain times more. I have researched a lot on Benzodiazepines, especially Klonopin and there is some very frightening information, groups and podcasts out there that really scare me and I think I am dependent on it especially now I use .5mg 2 times per day because I am in an episode of depression, anxiety and experiencing insomnia. It's the only medication that helps me somewhat at least to sleep usually and help get through the day with my anxiety. I am very afraid that it may no longer be available because of rising concerns and information about the seriousness of its properties of being highly addictive and can cause at some point serious brain injury. If you haven't been on Benzodiazepines very long I would consider investigating information on Klonopin, etc. and view some of the testimonies like D Foster The Benzo Free Podcasts and Dr. Jenn Leigh. The information and testimonies of people and the long-term use of Benzodiazepines including Klonopin is very frightening. Myself, if I had to live life over and make a decision on using Clonezepam or any other Benzodiazepines I probably would not even though they have helped me over my lifetime off and on I think because of my extended use of them I have physiological dependence and there are serious complications with getting off of Benzodiazepines like Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome. I truly wish you the best.

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rick98 | @rick98 | 4 days ago
In reply to @rclouv "So, my question now is, since everyone is saying i need to taper off, am i..." + (show)
@rclouv

So, my question now is, since everyone is saying i need to taper off, am i addicted to the klonooin?

Jump to this post

The use of the term addiction and dependence have overlap. Addiction is often seen as a person seeking a drug whether legal or illegal and out of control whereas a patient being prescribed a medication legitimately can develop a dependence. Only your body can know if you're dependent but if you've been using any Benzodiazepines including Klonopin for any length of time other than a one time use for a week or so then I would establish a plan of tapering no matter how low your dosage is. The Benzodiazepines and their detrimental outcomes of use is now on the public policy scene like opioids and doctors generally will not prescribe them and a few States now have laws in place to limit and restrict doctors from prescribing any Benzodiazepines.

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1 reply
rick98 | @rick98 | 4 days ago
In reply to @rick98 "The use of the term addiction and dependence have overlap. Addiction is often seen as a..." + (show)
@rick98

The use of the term addiction and dependence have overlap. Addiction is often seen as a person seeking a drug whether legal or illegal and out of control whereas a patient being prescribed a medication legitimately can develop a dependence. Only your body can know if you're dependent but if you've been using any Benzodiazepines including Klonopin for any length of time other than a one time use for a week or so then I would establish a plan of tapering no matter how low your dosage is. The Benzodiazepines and their detrimental outcomes of use is now on the public policy scene like opioids and doctors generally will not prescribe them and a few States now have laws in place to limit and restrict doctors from prescribing any Benzodiazepines.

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Myself, I would no longer trust the advice of a any doctor advising to just cut off cold turkey because most doctors don't understand the awful, frightening outcomes of so many cases of individuals who have not tapered or have been cut off. It's a very frightening situation with terrible consequences. Slow, long-term tapering is what is always suggested to reduce the possibility of developing dl
delayed acute withdrawal or Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome. Wish you the best sincerely

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gpm | @madscientist | 4 days ago
In reply to @rclouv "So, my question now is, since everyone is saying i need to taper off, am i..." + (show)
@rclouv

So, my question now is, since everyone is saying i need to taper off, am i addicted to the klonooin?

Jump to this post

It is important to understand the difference between addiction and dependent.

It seems you are physically dependent on klonopin like anyone who takes it for a period of time. Your doctor seems quite ignorant about this drug. First it is extremely quick to become physically dependent. Not taking it every day is a good tactic and should ease any move away from it but it can be a real challenge and take longer than expected. And NO cold turkey.

Your body is habituated to it and will complain loudly if you reduce the drug. There is finally some decent help out there for benzo tapering. As mentioned by other person, the Ashton manual is an absolute must read. She is a real doctor who helped hundreds of people get off benzos and is a true pioneer in understanding it and what works versus what doesn't.

Addiction would be if you were using/abusing it to tamp down emotional pain, memories, feelings, etc.

Be well and have courage. I went through it after 20 years of klonopin.

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1 reply
jann422 | @jann422 | 4 days ago
In reply to @arthur57 "Just an fyi, I had several issues with just taking .5 mg daily and when I..." + (show)
@arthur57

Just an fyi, I had several issues with just taking .5 mg daily and when I mentioned that it was a low dose to my primary, he said BS. He was not happy old sleep doc put me on this crap. But said .5mg is more of a standard dose, not low. May be low compared to what others are taking, granted, but many folks become dependent and have to move up their doses over time to get the same effect.

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Why not look up Klonopin and the dosages. You will discover that .05mg is the absolute lowest dose available. So, that IS a low dose by default.
Yes, many people become dependent and do
For all:
The best thing to do is to look up the Ashton Manual available online for FREE. https://www.benzoinfo.com/ashtonmanual/
It is the gold standard on Benzodiazapines,
and also has withdrawal schedules and side effects & warnings.
You can save the manual as a PDF document and reference it.
That said, I am not a Doctor and the best advice is to find an addiction specialist to get off if you have any difficulties at all ,or concurrent health conditions, symptoms, etc.

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1 reply
jann422 | @jann422 | 4 days ago
In reply to @madscientist "It is important to understand the difference between addiction and dependent. It seems you are physically..." + (show)
@madscientist

It is important to understand the difference between addiction and dependent.

It seems you are physically dependent on klonopin like anyone who takes it for a period of time. Your doctor seems quite ignorant about this drug. First it is extremely quick to become physically dependent. Not taking it every day is a good tactic and should ease any move away from it but it can be a real challenge and take longer than expected. And NO cold turkey.

Your body is habituated to it and will complain loudly if you reduce the drug. There is finally some decent help out there for benzo tapering. As mentioned by other person, the Ashton manual is an absolute must read. She is a real doctor who helped hundreds of people get off benzos and is a true pioneer in understanding it and what works versus what doesn't.

Addiction would be if you were using/abusing it to tamp down emotional pain, memories, feelings, etc.

Be well and have courage. I went through it after 20 years of klonopin.

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@madscientist
If you want to, can you share what dose you were on and how long it took to get off?
If not, thank you for your comments. So glad you got off!

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arthur57 | @arthur57 | 4 days ago
In reply to @jann422 "Why not look up Klonopin and the dosages. You will discover that .05mg is the absolute..." + (show)
@jann422

Why not look up Klonopin and the dosages. You will discover that .05mg is the absolute lowest dose available. So, that IS a low dose by default.
Yes, many people become dependent and do
For all:
The best thing to do is to look up the Ashton Manual available online for FREE. https://www.benzoinfo.com/ashtonmanual/
It is the gold standard on Benzodiazapines,
and also has withdrawal schedules and side effects & warnings.
You can save the manual as a PDF document and reference it.
That said, I am not a Doctor and the best advice is to find an addiction specialist to get off if you have any difficulties at all ,or concurrent health conditions, symptoms, etc.

Jump to this post

I have been off of klonopin for almost 2 years, next month and would NEVER consider that crap again. Pure poison in my system, no thanks! And yes, I am fully aware of the Ashton Manual, read it a few times. Doctors who prescribe this stuff really don't understand what they are dishing out, at least not the older docs.

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