Prescription Turned into Abuse: Clonidine Addiction
High blood pressure and anxiety are sometimes conditions of impaired blood flow. These conditions can be threatening to a person’s health, so it’s vital that they get treatment. For those affected by these conditions, clonidine is commonly prescribed. It works by opening up blood vessels and also relaxing them so that blood flow is increased. Although there are medical purposes in which clonidine is helpful to reduce and even prevent symptoms of anxiety and high blood pressure, if it is misused or taken for long periods of time, it has the potential to cause a developed clonidine addiction. But, by spreading awareness of the addictive properties of the drug, it’s less likely to be the cause that leads to addiction in many lives.
Signs of Clonidine Addiction to Look for
If you think that you or a loved one with a prescription for clonidine or who is misusing clonidine illegally is struggling with a clonidine addiction, there are specific signs you can look for that may determine an addiction. Signs of a clonidine addiction may include:
- Inability to stop the use of clonidine
- Intense cravings to use clonidine
- Neglecting home, family, school, friends, or work responsibilities
- Using clonidine despite obvious consequences of using
- Lack of interest in past passions and more interest in using clonidine
- The experience of withdrawal symptoms when the use of clonidine ceases
Withdrawal Symptoms to Look for that May Signal a Clonidine Addiction
One of the biggest warning signs of a developed addiction is that when the use of clonidine stops, withdrawal symptoms occur. Withdrawal happens when the body has already adapted to the presence of an addictive substance and administered adverse effects because the drug is not present. Specific withdrawal symptoms that can suggest a clonidine addiction may include:
- Irritability
- Sleeplessness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Body shakes
- Nausea
Detoxing when a Clonodine Addiction is Diagnosed
If you think that you or a loved one has developed an addiction or dependency to clonidine, there is help available. But, because withdrawal can be agitating and quite challenging to go through alone, so it is suggested that detox is completed in a medical facility. Detox is the removal of a drug from the body and is performed by simply waiting for the body to stop administering withdrawal symptoms. But, unlike detoxing from home, medical detox allows for the guidance and supervision of medical addiction specialists. This way, if there were any medical emergencies due to withdrawal, the detoxing individuals will already be in the environment and surrounded by the people who can help. Also, during a medical detox program, patients are administered medications that can help with the severity and longevity of experiencing withdrawal symptoms so that the overall experience is more comfortable.
Treatment for a Clonidine Addiction
Once detox is complete, it’s suggested that individuals be placed in an inpatient rehabilitation program so that they can learn the necessary tools to deal with triggers to use once assimilated back into society. Additionally, treatment helps individuals actually heal. Every addiction is the result of an underlying issue, and treatment helps individuals to identify these issues so that they can work worked upon in therapy settings. Lastly, treatment helps individuals gain the support they need to remain sober and live a successful life of long-term recovery. The caring and compassionate staff at the Wellness Retreat Recovery open their arms to new guests as family. And, once individuals are done with treatment, this fact doesn’t change. We offer helpful resources, sober living referrals, and other aftercare services to all of our treatment graduates. Not only that but if you were to ever relapse after graduating, you can take advantage of our one-of-a-kind treatment guarantee. This means that you can rejoin us for an additional treatment stay at no cost to you if you end up relapsing.
To view our programs, services, and luxurious treatment facility nestled in the rolling hills of San Jose, California, please visit our website. If you would like to speak confidentially with a treatment specialist, please feel free to give us a call anytime of the day or night at 888-821-0238. Remember, recovery is possible for everyone; even you! Get the help you need today so that you can start living a better life tomorrow!