I am addicted to clonazepam amd I want to leave its habit. When I try to withdraw it, I face sleeping problem. How can I leave its habit please help.

Question

Dear lybrate-user, please do not try to leave the medicine abruptly. What can be done is it can be reduced very slowly and another medication added; to help you with your sleep and then stopping all once your sleep is stabilized. I suggest you meet with your nearest psychiatrist to help you with that.

Vani P · Accepted Answer

Dear lybrate-user, please do not try to leave the medicine abruptly. What can be done is it can be reduced very slowly and another medication added; to help you with your sleep and then stopping all once your sleep is stabilized. I suggest you meet with your nearest psychiatrist to help you with that.

Rajan P · Answer

Dear lybrate user,
It is good you decided to quit clonazepam. You can taper the dose to 1 at night every alternative day for 10 days, and then twice a week for a month, and replacing it with relaxation therapy will help you a lot. difficulty in falling asleep is a withdrawal symptom that will last only for a few days or a week. No need to worry.

Prof. Jagadeesan M.S. · Answer

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine, which can be highly addictive. You need to be evaluated, changed to neuronal stabilisers and non-addictive alternatives and then tapered off. Consult any psychiatrist online or in person. Good luck.

Senthilkumar L · Answer

Good day my friend. I can understand your situation. Don't try to stop medicines without consulting your doctor. It will create withdrawal effects which affect the whole recovery. Instead start few non medicinal psychotherapies in parallel to get your self ready to stop the medicines slowly. Be aware medicine is just one part of your treatment plan, you need adopt few dietary changes, lifestyle changes, mindset change techniques, relaxation techniques, exercises etc to see better results. Be positive. Consult a psychologist to assess your current symptoms to recommend suitable supportive therapies. Feel free to reach me online for further assistance and assessment of your physical and mental symptoms to recommend the non medicinal plan.

Neha Pandey · Answer

Hi lybrate-user, it's good that you are thinking to stop your dependence on the medicine but what was the reason for the prescription at the first place? Please do consult your doctor to safely stop the medication without facing any side - effects. Secondly, if you are facing the lack of sleeping (not clear in the question) then you may try relaxation exercises like jpmr, yog nidra, etc apart from following a good sleep hygiene or trying something like eft. These things help tremendously to most of the people. Take a consultation with a psychologist whom you trust and give it a try. Take care, neha pandey.

Saranya Devanathan · Answer

Dear Priya,
Congratulations for planning to stop clonazepam. You are young and you can try to leave this habit by learning sleep hygiene techniques. You can not suddenly stop clonazepam. You have to reduce the dose slowly over weeks before stopping it.