Klonopin Abuse
By Leslie Thompson
Klonopin is a very popular prescription drug used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and seizures. Commonly known by its generic name clonazepam, klonopin is part of a group of psychoactive drugs in the benzodiazepine family. Benzodiazepine drugs are some of the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States in part because of their tranquilizing effect. When taken correctly and as prescribed, benzodiazepine drugs are highly effective in rapidly reversing agitation and are often used for the short-term treatment of severe anxiety. However, recent years have shown that prescription drug abuse is on the rise, and klonopin is commonly abused.
Many reports rank benzodiazepines in the top five of the most abused substances in the United States. The increasing number of people turning to prescription drugs as a way to “get high” is no surprise as more and more middle- to upper-class adolescents are turning to their parents’ medicine cabinets as a drug source. Data reported in the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that an estimated 36 million U.S. residents aged 12 and older have abused prescription drugs in their lifetime. Additionally, 2.7 million teens aged 12-17 and 6.9 million individuals between the ages 18-25 have abused prescription drugs at least once.
Teens and those in their early twenties are not the only age groups susceptible to prescription drug abuse; individuals 65 years old and over also have a high likelihood of abusing drugs. It is estimated that 12-15% of elderly patients who seek medical attention are addicted to prescription medication.
Why are abusers turning to klonopin as their drug of choice? Illicitly, klonopin (or “K-pin” as it is called on the street) is usually used as a secondary drug in conjunction with other prescription drugs or as a complement to alcohol. Some say that when taken alone, the drug has the same effect as alcohol. In addition to enhancing the primary drug’s effect, klonopin’s sedative nature helps prevent the primary drug’s side effects. Klonopin is also generally easy to find and is cheap. Lastly, the drug is hard to screen for and easily goes undetected.
Because klonopin is a sedative and has a calming nature, many people have the misconception that the drug is harmless. Misuse of klonopin, especially when the drug is taken in high doses, can bring about serious consequences such as mental confusion, impaired motor functions, dizziness, and coma. Death rarely occurs when the drug is taken alone, but since it is quite often taken with other drugs, the mixture of substances can be deadly.
Use of benzodiazepine drugs should be closely monitored by a physician and a definitive medical history should be taken prior to prescribing the medication. To prevent prescription drug abuse in your home, keep your legitimate prescriptions somewhere other than the medicine cabinet. If you or a loved one may be addicted to klonopin or any prescription drug, do not hesitate to contact your primary care physician. Help is available.
