Usage and Klonopin for Alcohol Withdrawal

In this article, we’re going to discuss how to use Klonopin for alcohol withdrawal. The process of quitting drinking can be made much easier by taking a benzodiazepine.

klonopin for alcohol withdrawal

As consumption increases over time, withdrawal symptoms can progress from mild to psychologically exhausting and even dangerous. Many people avoid discussing their true levels of drinking with their doctors. As a result, they do not find out about the proper use of benzodiazepines for withdrawal. Binging, abstinence, and relapse can form a vicious cycle that continues for many years.

It’s important to understand that withdrawal is not all in your head. Symptoms like rapid heartbeat, panic attacks, or a profound sense of impending doom can get worse and lead to fatal seizures. Withdrawal symptoms become more severe with repeated episodes because of a phenomenon known as kindling.

In a medical detox environment, it’s common to receive benzodiazepines for withdrawal. A patient may be given an initial injection followed by 1-2 weeks of tapered oral doses that are carefully monitored.

klonopin for alcohol withdrawal

Overview of Klonopin

Klonopin is in a family of anti-anxiety drugs called benzodiazepines. This is a brand and its generic name is clonazepam. Other benzodiazepine brands include Librium, Valium, Ativan, and Xanax.

klonopin for alcohol withdrawal

All of these drugs can be effective for withdrawal symptoms because they reduce anxiety, prevent convulsions, and help with sleep. Because they vary in terms of strength and their length of effects, doctors choose between them depending on the patient’s symptoms.

It is effective at alleviating or preventing the following symptoms:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Restlessness
  • Panic attacks
  • Tremors
  • High blood pressure
  • Delirium Tremens

Benzodiazepines work by activating GABA receptors in the brain, which are also stimulated by alcohol. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter associated with feelings of calm. Intoxication causes a spike in GABA and withdrawal involves a plunge in GABA. Many withdrawal symptoms (including panic and even seizures) are caused by insufficient levels of GABA in the brain.

klonopin for alcohol withdrawal

Using this medication can provide temporary peace of mind and prevent severe symptoms from manifesting. Because of its effectiveness, hospitals often prescribe this drug to alcoholics and then gradually reduce the dose to taper them off of it.

Here are some things to consider before obtaining a prescription:

  • Because everyone is biochemically different, another benzodiazepine may work better for you.
  • Depending on the severity of your alcoholism, your doctor may recommend inpatient detox or prescribe you with Klonopin that you can taper off of while you quit drinking at home. If you quit drinking at home, make sure you have support and that you repair your body proactively.
  • All benzodiazepinescan be addictive, which is why they should only be used for a short period of time and in the lowest effective dose.
  • All benzodiazepines can cause overdose if too much is taken at once. Mixing these drugs with alcohol can be very dangerous and lead to blackouts.
  • Even if you take this medication, you will still need to repair nutrient deficiencies caused by excessive drinking. You may also have other symptoms such as low motivation and depression that benzodiazepines cannot resolve.
  • Using this is a great strategy for the short term, but in the longer term, it’s important to have external support and to renew your sense of purpose in life.

How To Take Klonopin

Here are some things to consider:

  • Only take it with a prescription and under the supervision of a doctor.
  • The tablets are typically 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg or 2 mg.
  • Doses can be divided throughout the day, but Klonopin is a long-acting benzodiazepine so only one dose may be needed.
  • There is no standard dosage; a doctor can determine this depending on your situation.
  • Most people do not need to take it for more than a few days or a week.
  • To avoid dependence, do not use it for longer than you need it.

Further Considerations

By preventing complications caused by low levels of GABA in the brain, using Klonopin for alcohol withdrawal can help you have a much safer and more pleasant detox. Even if your symptoms aren’t severe, envisioning life without alcohol is hard enough. Nervous exhaustion and insomnia can make the task of quitting drinking seem nearly impossible.

But while Klonopin can help quit drinking, it is not a cure-all for the physical damage caused by alcoholism. Many people who use benzodiazepines end up relapsing because they feel tortured by depression or cravings after their taper ends. These other symptoms are often caused by the following problems that are NOT resolved by benzodiazepines:

  • Low dopamine
  • Low serotonin
  • Magnesium deficiency (my life changed when I began taking magnesium!)
  • B-vitamin deficiencies
  • Other vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Poor liver health

Fortunately, there is a way to address all of these problems at once. Check Fit Recovery’s list of supplements that work best for supporting the brain-body system through recovery.

Another trick is to take glutamine to resolve sudden, intense bouts of cravings. Try it and you’ll see that it works. Glutamine is an amino acid that can help to repair every cell in your body.

The bottom line is that using this treatment can be very effective, but it’s just the first part of a long process. Give your body what it needs during this time, and your mind will be sure to follow!

klonopin for alcohol withdrawal

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this article. Subscribe to the Fit Recovery email list to stay posted on more articles that can help you down the road.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment box below.

___________________________________

Dr. Ken Starr is board-certified in both Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine, and diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. In addition to his work as the Addiction Medicine Director for Fit Recovery, he operates Ken Starr MD Wellness Group in Arroyo Grande, CA. His clinic offers advanced drug and alcohol detox methods, long-term recovery facilitation, and IV nutritional programs including NAD+ therapy.

Hierarchy of Alcohol Recovery
Please review this post!

WANT TO DOMINATE ALCOHOL AND LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE?

COMMENT DISCLAIMER

The information we provide while responding to comments is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The responses to comments on fitrecovery.com are designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a condition.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

7 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Drew
Drew
1 year ago

I know klonopin helps with most alcohol detox symptoms but does it help prevent seizures?

Shane Michael
5 years ago

My use of Klonapin for alcohol withdrawal has been a blessing. It has stopped all the awful symptoms in its tracks. I felt a little groggy from the medicine but that was terable. I kmow how it works on gaba receptors. Librium (the oldest and original benzo) also works well and is long acting. I dind it works great too. In my opinion some benzzos aer better than others but since they are chemically related, the all work. That goes for Valium too. Just try to avoind short acting medications like Ativan and Serax. They work but you need more… Read more »

Chris Scott
Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Shane Michael

Thanks for sharing this Shane!

Nicole
Nicole
5 years ago

I have been going through what I believe to be mild withdrawal from alcohol based on my symptoms, mostly anxiety and sleeplessness. I started taking ativan (started one 1 mg, then 2 mg and again 2 mgs for bed. So I took it today but it ran out and my doctor is out of town, and all I have that is remotely close to it is klonopin, 1mg total. I last took the ativan around 9pm est. Can I take the 1mg of klonopin tomorrow morning or sometime during the day If I still have tremors and feel anxious?

Chris Scott
Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Nicole

Hi Nicole, I’m not a doctor and can’t give medical advice regarding your particular situation. I hope that the guidelines above help and best of luck to you!

Michelle
Michelle
6 years ago

How often should I take 1 mg?

Chris Scott
Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Michelle

Hi Michelle, this depends on your prescription from your doctor and your tolerance level for Klonopin. Most doctors will prescribe enough to prevent the worst symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, but not enough to make you feel great. Then they will wean you off of the drug over the course of a week or so. When I detoxed off of alcohol using Ativan, I spent 2-3 days at each dosage level before my dose finally went down to zero. It took me about 10 days. Since Klonopin is a long-acting benzodiazepine, it would typically be taken once per day (possibly before… Read more »