Plugging Klonopin: Side Effects, Risks, And Dangers

Plugging, or putting drugs into the rectum, is one way that some people with substance use disorders may take drugs. While it’s not as common as snorting, injecting, or swallowing, it’s still a dangerous practice that can cause serious health problems. Klonopin, a powerful prescription medication used to treat seizures, panic attacks, and anxiety, is one drug that people may abuse by plugging.

When used as prescribed by a doctor, Klonopin can be helpful for managing certain medical conditions. However, it can also be very addictive and risky if misused or abused.

Plugging Klonopin can lead to severe side effects and health risks that can be potentially life-threatening. It’s crucial for anyone struggling with Klonopin abuse or addiction to seek professional help as soon as possible to avoid these dangerous consequences.

Dangers And Risks Of Plugging Klonopin (Clonazepam)

Klonopin is a brand name for the drug, clonazepam. It’s commonly prescribed by doctors in the United States to treat seizures, panic attacks, and anxiety. Klonopin belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines (benzos), which also includes drugs like alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium).

Benzos like Klonopin can be habit-forming, which can lead to substance use disorder, addiction, and other serious risks, including those listed above. After a person develops a physical tolerance to or dependence on Klonopin, they may look for ways to increase the desired effects of the drug. This is when plugging may begin.

Plugging Klonopin can lead to potentially serious physical dangers including:

• passing blood
• rectal pain
• tears in the colon
• inability to control bowel movements
• decreased blood flow to the small intestine
• death of surrounding tissue

There’s also the chance of more severe adverse reactions, including an increased risk of overdose, when plugging Klonopin.

Klonopin Overdose Risk

Abusing Klonopin can lead to severe side effects, including the risk of overdose, in several different ways. A Klonopin overdose may take the form of a seizure or central nervous system depression and slowed breathing. These risks are even higher if a person is plugging Klonopin. Drugs taken through rectal administration may have a faster onset time and a higher bioavailability than drugs taken orally. Basically, this means that a person may experience a more intense high that both comes on and fades away very quickly.

Because of this, the desired effects of Klonopin may wear off before the drug has completely left a person’s system, which can cause a person to take more. This can easily lead to an accidental overdose.

Common signs and symptoms of a Klonopin overdose may include:

• clammy skin
• loss of consciousness/coma
• confusion
• dilated pupils
• extreme drowsiness
• loss of coordination
• sedation
• slow reflexes
• difficulty breathing
• weak and rapid pulse

If you notice these signs or suspect a Klonopin overdose, don’t hesitate to call 911 immediately. And if fentanyl contamination is possible, administer naloxone while waiting for emergency services.

Place the person in the recovery position (on their side with their top knee bent forward) to reduce choking risk. Most states have Good Samaritan laws that provide limited legal protection to people who call 911 during an overdose.

Other Dangers Of Plugging Klonopin

Plugging Klonopin can also cause a variety of other symptoms, in addition to side effects. This is especially true if the drug is misused repeatedly over time.

Some additional side effects of Klonopin abuse that may range from moderate to severe could include:

• ataxia (loss of muscle coordination affecting movement and balance)
• behavior problems
• heart palpitations
• hair loss
• hallucinations
• memory loss or amnesia
• impaired thought process
• difficulty moving
• sexual dysfunction

If you’ve noticed these signs or symptoms in yourself or a loved one, reach out to a treatment specialist today to talk about the possibility of Klonopin addiction.

Side Effects Of Klonopin Misuse

Because rectal administration can lead to a faster onset time and a more intense high, a person who has recently plugged Klonopin may also experience more intense side effects.

Common side effects of plugging Klonopin may include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• blurred vision
• weakness
• unsteadiness
• stomach upset
• constipation
• headache
• trouble sleeping
• hostility
• irritability
• nightmares

While these side effects may not be as severe as the other dangers listed, they can still lead to additional complications or worsen over time.

Effects On The Brain And Body

While Klonopin can be a helpful medication, it’s also a powerful central nervous system depressant. Because of this, it can have a huge impact on a person’s brain and body. Klonopin works by making more of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your body. This chemical blocks certain brain signals, and in turn, helps to calm your central nervous system.

Messing with the brain’s natural communication system in any way can cause permanent damage. Plus, depressing your central nervous system can be tough on the body and lead to difficulty breathing or respiratory depression. Rectal administration can also lead to potentially severe effects on a person’s body.

When drugs are plugged, they’re absorbed through the lining inside the rectum. After time, this can lead to side effects like persistent diarrhea, damaged rectal tissue, and poor blood circulation.

The good news is that by receiving treatment from a gastroenterologist, you may be able to reduce the effects of early-stage rectal and gastrointestinal damage. Any severe or long-standing damage may require more intensive intervention.

Factors That Influence The Potential Dangers Of Plugging Klonopin

Several factors can influence the potential dangers of plugging Klonopin, making an already risky practice even more hazardous. It’s essential for anyone considering this method of drug abuse to understand these factors and the additional risks they may pose.

Factors that can increase the risks of plugging Klonopin include:

• the dosage of Klonopin being plugged
• combining Klonopin with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids
• pre-existing medical conditions, particularly those affecting the digestive system or mental health
• frequency and duration of Klonopin abuse
• individual differences in metabolism and sensitivity to the drug

It’s important to recognize that plugging Klonopin is an extremely dangerous practice, regardless of the specific factors involved. The potential for severe side effects, addiction, and life-threatening consequences remains high. If you or someone you know has Klonopin addiction, it’s essential to seek professional help.

Remember, there is no safe way to abuse Klonopin, and the best way to avoid the risks is to stop using the drug altogether. Reach out to a healthcare provider, addiction specialist, or support organization to start on the path to recovery.

Klonopin Withdrawal

Anyone who has been using Klonopin regularly and wants to stop should never do so abruptly. Benzodiazepine withdrawal, including Klonopin, is one of the most medically dangerous forms of withdrawal. Abrupt cessation after physical dependence can cause life-threatening seizures, delirium, severe cardiovascular instability, and psychosis.

Klonopin has a long half-life compared to other benzodiazepines, meaning withdrawal symptoms may not begin until several days after the last dose and can persist for weeks. A gradual, medically supervised taper is the standard of care, so never attempt to stop Klonopin without medical guidance.

If withdrawal symptoms including seizures, severe confusion, or hallucinations develop, call 911 immediately.

Treatment Options For Klonopin Abuse

Klonopin abuse and addiction can be successfully treated with a variety of methods in inpatient or outpatient programs. Generally, inpatient programs are more intensive. With this type of treatment, a person will stay full-time at a detox facility while they receive support and resources.

Alternatively, outpatient drug rehab programs are available. In these programs, people visit a treatment center several times weekly and return home afterward.

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff