Clobazam (also known as Onfi, Frisium, and Urbanol) is a benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety and seizures. It’s also part of the licenced antiepileptic drugs for treating Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a kind of epilepsy in which people have a variety of seizures and are frequently intellectually impaired. Clobazam has a longer half-life than other benzodiazepines, so it lasts longer.
Clobazam is a Schedule IV prohibited substance classified as a class C drug. This means that, while the substance has legitimate medical applications, it also poses a risk of abuse and dependence. Clobazam abuse is less common than that of other prominent benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, and Valium. However, this does not rule out the possibility of drug addiction. Even early during its creation and marketing, the World Health Organization reported examples of people taking too much of this medicine to produce an illegal effect.
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Benzodiazepines are a type of antidepressant that raises the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord that regulates or reduces central nervous system activity. Benzodiazepines’ GABA-enhancing properties make them beneficial in treating disorders originating from excessive brain and spinal cord activity. These can include seizures, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and muscle tension. Furthermore, some benzodiazepines relieve withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and other substances.
The brain is altered by benzodiazepines, which stimulate reward circuits and contribute to addiction. The more a psychoactive benzodiazepine-like Clobazam is exposed to the brain, the more likely it is to become addicted. The easiest method to stay away from Clobazam addiction is only to take medication as directed and prescribed and never to use it recreationally. Before taking potentially addictive prescription medications, people with a personal or family history of substance use disorder or addiction should discuss it with their doctor openly and honestly.
Benzodiazepines, such as Clobazam, are frequently linked to drug overdoses and deaths. These medications depress the central nervous system, and when taken in high dosages, they can cause deadly respiratory depression. People who use benzodiazepines are more likely to consume alcohol or opioids, both of which are CNS depressants. Overdosing is considerably increased when various CNS depressants are combined or abused.
Medical study has not thoroughly explained addiction in terms of the elements that favour its development in particular situations. However, it is acknowledged that both the environment and genes have a role and that anyone who uses Clobazam for more than a few weeks risks developing physical dependence and addiction., among other aspects.
Brain chemistry: Clobazam targets the central nervous system, namely the brain’s reward centre. If you lack certain brain chemicals required for enjoyable experiences, you can compensate by taking Clobazam, which is more likely to develop into addiction.
Psychological factors: You may be inclined to self-medicate with Clobazam or other benzos if you have co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis. The issue is that abusing the drug will not help you improve. Instead, it aggravates your symptoms and wreaks havoc on your overall health.
Whether or not you develop a benzodiazepine addiction is determined mainly by your genetic makeup. Anyone with a family history of substance abuse, addiction, and mental health issues is far more prone than the average individual to develop a Clobazam addiction. If you have a family history of benzodiazepine usage or other types of addiction, you’re more likely to develop drug dependence while taking Clobazam.
In an environment where benzodiazepines are more readily available – or frequently exposed to those with addiction – people are more prone to engage in similar behaviours. Several environmental risk factors for Clobazam misuse have been found, including exposure to traumatic or stressful situations, association with a peer group of bromazepam abusers, and using the drug in higher quantities or for longer periods than prescribed.
It’s crucial to understand how benzodiazepines function to recognise the signs and symptoms of clobazam usage. The indications are determined by how they affect the central nervous system.
Benzodiazepines (sometimes known as “benzos”) are extensively prescribed in the United Kingdom and the United States. Even though clobazam is not as widely prescribed as other benzos like Klonopin or Xanax, it shares many of the same qualities and effects. Benzodiazepines have sedative, hypnotic, anti-anxiety, muscle-relaxing, and anti-seizure effects. They may be used to treat the symptoms of alcoholism in some cases.
Clobazam and other benzos are not designed for long-term use. They’re used to treat severe symptoms that conventional long-term treatments can’t control. Someone on a long-term, daily seizure-control drug, for example, could be advised to use clobazam only when necessary.
Because of their high potential for abuse, benzodiazepines are rarely prescribed for long-term usage. Despite the drug’s permitted medicinal purposes, its side effects are addictive as a class C drug.
When used, clobazam or another benzo interacts with GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors. These are brain chemicals that act to quiet overactive neuronal activity. As a result, when someone takes clobazam, they will feel calmer and more relaxed. The medications also reduce seizure-inducing electrical impulses in the brain.
After using benzodiazepines, many people experience euphoria or pleasant (relaxing) sensations. An addiction might develop when people seek these experiences outside of the drug’s prescribed use. While Clobazam misuse may not always lead to addiction, it does raise the risk of dependency and addiction.
Prescription drug abuse does not always lead to addiction, but it does raise the chances of it happening. The brain develops a psychological or physical demand for a substance, which leads to addiction.
Because this impact stimulates the brain’s reward circuit, the brain changes physically and chemically to adapt to the addictive substance after prolonged exposure. When this happens, finding the substance becomes a top priority for the person. Clobazam addiction has the following indications and symptoms:
Is there anyone you know that is desperate to get their hands on this substance and will go to any extent to obtain it? Because addiction leads to people doing things they wouldn’t normally do, finding and consuming clobazam will be a significant concern.
Do they show indicators of discomfort when they don’t take the medication? When the amount of clobazam in the blood is low, a dependent user will usually break out in cold sweats or exhibit feverish behaviour. Depending on the severity of the addiction, withdrawal symptoms might be severe or moderate.
Addiction can induce health consequences such as respiratory depression, heart failure, liver damage, fever and convulsions. Treatment may be required for a lengthy time in some cases.
Other health signs:
Co-occurrence is a phenomenon in which a substance addiction leads to the development of psychological problems. Psychological health issues linked to drug usage and addiction include depression, anxiety disorder, and paranoia. If a family member or friend begins to exhibit these characteristics all of a sudden, it could be a sign of addiction.
When something poses a severe risk to your health, it’s natural to stop doing it. Many addicts continue to abuse drugs, even if it is at their own risk. This is a strong indication that they have no control over the situation. Someone who abuses clobazam might exhibit similar behaviour.
In the early phases of substance misuse, a substance abuser may be able to maintain their social life, but once addiction sets in, this becomes harder. They may argue with their pals and make unreasonable demands until they become a burden. Many friendships and even close partnerships will fall apart over time. Clobazam addiction causes a person to withdraw from family and other social activities. Self-isolation becomes the norm as a result.
When you’re dealing with an addiction, it’s challenging to stay productive. Most of the time, your general behaviour is dictated by the drug. Many clobazam-dependent users experience decreased productivity and, consequently, lose their employment. This puts them in financial trouble. Similarly, students’ grades will drop, and they may stop participating in extracurricular activities.
Clobazam withdrawal is similar to benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome ranging in severity from moderate to life-threatening. The symptoms of anxiety and panic are among the first to arise. Headaches, increased heart rate and respiration, sweating, nausea, and vomiting are common physical symptoms accompanying psychological disorders.
Symptoms get more severe over time, peaking between the 5th and 10th day. They gradually go away after that. In some people, prolonged withdrawal might lead to more severe symptoms such as tremors, memory loss, hallucinations, and depression. Seizures, coma, and death are serious risks in the most severe cases of prolonged withdrawal.
When someone takes clobazam, there have been reports of various side effects. Recreational users of clonazepam and other benzodiazepines commonly suffer these side effects.
The following are some of the possible short-term consequences:
If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling), seek immediate medical attention.
Several types of research have suggested the possibility of developing a physical dependence on clobazam. Repeated use can lead to tolerance and withdrawal even in people who use clobazam for therapeutic causes.
Individuals who use benzodiazepines recreationally are more likely to take higher doses and combine them with other substances, particularly alcohol. When alcohol and clobazam are combined, both the central nervous system’s depressive and adverse effects are amplified. Because of these drug interactions, Clobazam can make it difficult or impossible to breathe, especially if you’ve recently taken opioids or alcohol. If you have slow breathing with extended pauses, bluish tinted lips, or are difficult to wake up, someone caring for you should seek immediate medical treatment.
Clobazam withdrawal symptoms are similar to those experienced with other benzodiazepines. Nausea and vomiting, as well as rebound anxiety, sleeplessness, delirium, hallucinations, and the risk of developing life-threatening seizures, are all possible symptoms.
The following are some of the possible long-term consequences of Clobazam addiction:
Clobazam is more likely than other drugs to be used in dual diagnosis (when mental disorders co-occur with substance abuse disorders) situations because it is used to treat several mental health issues. Dual diagnosis frequently makes addiction therapy more complicated, requiring specialised care.
Many patients with severe mental illnesses are also substance addicts, with some of them using Clobazam tablets to self-medicate. Suicidal ideation, emotional indifference, and exacerbated depressive symptoms are risks of using Clobazam with a co-occurring illness. Long-term use changes the structure of brain cells, making it challenging to overcome Clobazam withdrawal cravings.
Clobazam addiction is a problematic condition. There is no such thing as a “right” course of action. The most effective treatment, on the other hand, will be comprehensive enough to address all of the physical, social, and psychological aspects of your addiction. Clobazam addiction is treated with psychological therapies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Depending on your particular requirements, these may require working with a licenced counsellor on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can effectively treat depression and other psychological illnesses that co-occur with Clobazam addiction.
Contingency management has also proven to be beneficial. According to studies, contingency Management can help if you have a combined diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder, severe depressive illness, and a Clobazam addiction. You will be awarded a coupon once you have successfully verified that you are ‘clean’ following clean drug testing. Vouchers can be exchanged for high-value goods and services during treatment.
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Inpatient rehab is the best option if you’re addicted to benzodiazepine drugs like Clobazam. This is because such medications can produce severe and possibly fatal withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, psychosis, and coma. To help you withdraw safely, medical detox is usually included in an inpatient treatment programme. It also offers several therapies and activities to assist you in gaining the skills you’ll need to reclaim your independence.
Outpatient treatment may also be an option if your Clobazam addiction isn’t severe or long-term. This can be used in addition to inpatient treatment or as a stand-alone programme. In contrast to inpatient rehab, you will be permitted to live at home while receiving addiction therapy. In this method, individual and group therapy sessions are usually mixed.
A medically assisted detox isn’t sufficient to properly recover from Clobazam addiction. Treatment methods include individual therapy, support groups, counselling, and psychoeducation. In addition, a comprehensive treatment programme for substance abuse disorders is essential.
A wide range of other extra resources is available in drug recovery programmes. The type of extra services offered is frequently dictated by financing and the particular rehab centre. A large category of additional services focuses on wellness. Some examples of supplementary wellness programmes offered by drug rehabs are as follows:
Specialist centres that provide accommodation, free or low-cost legal services, transportation, public benefits, daycare, or job placement may be required even by someone in recovery who has a supportive family.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
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