It doesn’t take long for a seemingly harmless benzo habit to turn into something worse. Many times, the people who abuse benzos started out by taking them as a part of a prescription. In other cases, people start using them recreationally because they like the mellow, euphoric high it gives them.

Abusing benzos is very dangerous. If you’re worried that you might be abusing them or know someone else who may be, there are a few symptoms to look out for. These signs likely indicate that the individual needs help: 

• Using more than prescribed - This is a key sign of prescription drug abuse. If you or someone you know is using more clonazepam than the doctor instructed, it could be time to look for treatment. This behavior tends to gain steam over time which means that, in a short while, the individual could be using very dangerous amounts of the drug.
• Changes in behavior - Benzodiazepines are sedatives which means that they can really slow the nervous system down. As a result, people who use them tend to operate at a much slower pace than other folks. When someone abuses the drug, they may not be able to think as quickly, might slur their speech and can even fall over due to a loss of balance. These symptoms are a sign that the individual is using too much or has been using too long.
• Changing the form of the drug to ingest it - This is another key sign of abuse. When a habitual user begins to develop a tolerance to the drug, taking a pill (or four) may not cause the same reaction as it used to. They may begin to crush and snort the pill. They may also choose to dissolve and inject the pill. These methods of taking Klonopin are very dangerous and definite signs of abuse.
• Apparent changes in personality - A benzo addiction can cause a person to act differently. They may stop caring about anything besides getting high. If they are unable to get a fix, they may become extremely anxious or irritable. They may become defensive or confrontational when confronted about their drug use. They likely become moody and begin keeping secrets or sneaking around.
• Decreasing quality of life - In most cases, an individual's life will get progressively worse as their drug use increases. They might disconnect from family, face legal consequences or even lose their job due to drugs. Additionally, benzos can easily become the individual’s main reason to get out of bed in the morning. If Klonopin becomes someone’s greatest motivation, it’s a sure sign that it’s time to get help.
• Dependence - When you’re an addict, you’ll continue to use drugs even if they make your life harder. After abusing benzos for so long, your brain becomes chemically dependent on them and can’t function without them. Financial trouble, legal problems or even tarnished relationships don’t always force an addict to get help. 

If you know someone who wants to get Klonopin out of their system but just can’t seem to do it, it’s important to find treatment for them. Getting them into detox and rehab could end up saving their life.

If you’re abusing your prescription or taking the drug without a doctor’s consent, you could face negative health consequences. Common side effects of Klonopin abuse can include: 

• Confusion
• Delusions
• Insomnia
• Drowsiness
• Loss of balance
• Slurring of speech
• Pregnancy defects
• Respiratory problems
• Migraines
• Urinary trouble
• Risk of seizures
• Risk of overdose 

If you experience any of these side effects, it’s important to get help. Reach out to an addiction specialist or medical professional as soon as possible.

To know if you’ve been taking Klonopin for too long, you may be wondering how long a normal prescription for Klonopin lasts. As with most prescribed drugs, the length of the prescription depends on the circumstances.

People who take benzos for anxiety, for example, may be prescribed indefinitely. These users should never take more than the doctor instructs and should report and unwanted side effects if they appear.

Other users receive a small dosage of Klonopin, 0.5mg or so, for specific situations that make them feel unusually nervous. A doctor might prescribe clonazepam to a patient who is terrified of flying but is required to do so for work. The doctor will only prescribe enough for the patient to take when they’re flying.

If your doctor has prescribed you the drug for short-term use, make sure to use it only as you’ve been instructed.

It may also be wise to check in with your doctor regularly about your prescription. If you feel you’ve been taking Klonopin for too long, consider asking for alternatives.

These days, it’s much more common for individuals to ask for non-benzodiazepine solutions. Just decades ago, this was less common.

Stevie Nicks never questioned her Klonopin prescription for many years. She had begun using the drug under a doctor’s orders while detoxing from cocaine. It was many years later that she realized that she’s changed in many ways and thought it may be from the Klonopin.

Nicks decided to give her personal assistant her dose of the medication to see if it affected him negatively. This is both illegal and incredibly dangerous, so don’t ever do this yourself. However, watching her personal assistant begin to show side effects from use almost immediately led to Nicks deciding to detox from the drug and stop using it altogether.

For inpatient treatment, recovering addicts live within the treatment facility while they recover. They are surrounded by and supervised by trained professionals at all times. They usually have roommates and attend individual and group therapy. They also partake in social activities. In many cases, they learn to live healthier lifestyles overall.

Inpatient addiction treatment has the highest success rate of all treatment options. This means that of every addict who completes an addiction treatment program, those who completed an inpatient program are least likely to relapse.

That said, though, inpatient treatment isn’t for everyone. Many recovering addicts also find success in outpatient programs. Consider the pros and cons to inpatient addiction treatment before deciding what’s right for you.

Pros of inpatient treatment include:

• Constant supervision. This decreases the risk of medical emergencies during withdrawal and lowers the likelihood of a relapse during the beginning stages of recovery.
• Structure. Most inpatient rehab facilities provide their patients with a full schedule of activities and therapy sessions. This means that patients have less time to seek out or think about Klonopin or other problem substances.
• Time away. Removing oneself from their day to day circumstances can be beneficial during recovery. Inpatient rehab allows the patient to focus on themself and not be influenced by others.
• Support. Inpatient rehab facilities offer 24/7 support and encouragement for those going through withdrawals or cravings. This decreases the chance of a relapse because someone is always there to enforce sobriety and remind the patient why they’re recovering.

Cons of inpatient treatment can include:

• Time. Those staying at an inpatient rehab facility while they recover must have the time to take off of work or school while they. They are almost never allowed to leave the treatment facility during their stay.
• Removal from Support System. Being away from friends and family can be a deal-breaker for many recovering addicts. In inpatient facilities, patients have limited, supervised contact with anyone outside the facility in the hopes of cutting off all contact with anyone who would encourage the patient to relapse. This is most difficult for those with friends and family who are supportive of their recovery.
• Money. Inpatient treatment is all-inclusive, so it is usually the most expensive treatment option for those recovering from drug addiction or abuse. However, It is important to keep in mind that many of these costs would need to be paid regardless. Food, for instance, will be an expense in or out of a treatment center.

Outpatient treatment differs from inpatient in that the recovering addict is only in the facility for specific therapy sessions and activities. In traditional outpatient care, this could be a few times a week. In intensive outpatient programs, or IOPs, this can be for up to several hours a day.

For those considering outpatient treatment to recover from Klonopin addiction, it could be a good idea to look at the pros and cons.

Pros of outpatient treatment can include:

• Time. It is possible for someone to go through outpatient rehab and continue to go to work or school and otherwise continue their normal life. This can be especially important for those who are financially independent and/or completing their education.
• Money. Outpatient rehab is usually cheaper than inpatient rehab because the patient is paying only for treatment.
• Support System. For those with supportive friends and families, outpatient treatment can be a good option. They can continue to be around their loved ones while they recover from their addiction. Their loved ones can continue to support and encourage them.

Cons

• Unsupervised Time. Whenever a Klonopin addict is outside of a treatment center, a single thought or feeling could make them want to relapse. When they’re on their own, this is all too easy. They’re unsupervised often, which sounds dangerous considering how serious cravings can be near the beginning of recovery.
• Unenforced Appointments. Those in outpatient rehab are left on their own to make sure they get to appointments on time. They must also learn to cope with cravings in a healthy and positive way. Often, addiction can overpower our willpower. Even the strongest-willed addict has the potential to relapse when they’re left unattended. This is particularly likely when they’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms after missing an appointment.

Recovery doesn’t end with rehab. Addiction is a lifelong disease to manage. For those serious about recovery, they’ll need to take some steps once they’ve completed an inpatient or outpatient program.

For those who are particularly worried, there are halfway houses. These are transitional living spaces for those who have finished a rehab program. These houses are usually democratically-run households of several recovering addicts. They attend group therapy together. They also all abide by a set of rules, such as a curfew and an agreement that no drugs or alcohol can be on the property. They can draw support from each other, knowing they’re all having similar experiences.

There are also less intense system of accountability, such as support groups. Groups like Narcotics Anonymous bring recovering addicts together on a regular basis. They work together through the 12 steps to recovery. They counsel each other and share experiences. Many people continue to attend such groups for the rest of their lives.

These options, as well as others available in specific communities, can help a recovering addict avoid a relapse and find people to talk to who understand.