Klonopin Recovery

[WebDevElijah]

I have been hesitant to post a success story as I keep going back and forth on whether I’m fully recovered or not. However, I’ve decided that if sharing my story can give someone hope, it’d be selfish not to share it.

 

My story began last summer when I experienced what seemed like a panic attack. I was prescribed Paxil for a while but stopped taking it due to side effects. When I returned to college, I got back into the drinking scene, which triggered severe anxiety. At one point, I was so paralyzed by fear that I asked my girlfriend to take me to the ER. That’s where I was given my first dose of Klonopin. It made me feel instantly better, and I soon started seeking and abusing the prescriptions.

 

After just a week, I began experiencing panic attacks when I didn’t take Klonopin. I went back on Paxil and continued to abuse both alcohol and Klonopin. Three months later, during Thanksgiving, I realized I had a problem and quit everything cold turkey.

 

That decision launched me into a hellish withdrawal. I experienced intense derealization, brain fog, an inability to speak, crushing anxiety that felt physically unbearable, depression, and vision deterioration, among other symptoms. I was forced to withdraw from university and move back home because I could barely move or think. The first two months were spent bedridden, but things began to improve slightly after that.

 

Since then, I’ve moved to a new city, Chicago, and found a job selling computers and technology. My job requires me to speak with people all day and answer their questions, which takes significant brain power. I am happy to say that every symptom has disappeared except for occasional anxiety. Reflecting on this, I realize how much better I truly am. Two months ago, I couldn’t have held a job—absolutely no way—and that shows how far I’ve come.

For anyone still going through this, I want to share that my symptoms would let up one at a time over a few days, but before they improved, they were incredibly intense. It’s strange how improvement happens. You must notice the small ways you get better, or you risk focusing only on what’s left, feeling like you haven’t improved at all. I fell into that trap until recently when I realized how far I’ve come, even though anxiety still lingers sometimes.

Never let go of hope, because things WILL change, and they WILL get better. I hope my story shows that. Although I only took Klonopin for three months, my years of heavy drinking affected my body profoundly.

 

Now, I look forward to my new sober life and continued personal growth. Never stop believing in your recovery—better days are ahead.