I am bipolar so sleep is very important for me. I've been taking 2mg of Klonopin for sleep, but I am worried about addiciton. I don't take it during the day unless I am going severely up. Am I screwing up my ability to sleep without Klonopin? I don't want to get addicted.

Klopin is a benzo, so addiction is very likely, if not inevitable. Benzos, in general, are not a good first-line med for insomnia. Eventually most people get used to the sleepiness side effect. So not only are you likely to become physically addicted, you are likely to develop tolerance rather quickly (need a higher dose to get the desired effect).

If all you're taking it for is sleep, there are so many better options. I'd ask your pdoc about Ambien, Sonata, or Lunesta.

um I take Kolonopin as well....I have been for a year....after this long it really doesn't have a sleepy effect on me...it is highly addictive however....I used to take it for sleep...but I don't have to now....im sleepy all the time...but yes it is addictive...I have had to slowly decrease my dosage (b/c my doctor is stupid).....be careful....ambien works better in my opinion. Oh and I am a brand new member of this thing and I have some questions myself....I want to post something for all to read so maybe I can get some answers but I don't know how...any advice?

Brena,

Welcome!

To start a new thread, just go to the board that best fits what you want to write about. For example, if you have questions about a particular medication, go to one of the medication boards (like this one). If you topic is more general about a condition... there are boards for all of those, too. Once you get to the applicable board, just click "Start New Topic" (upper right corner of the screen once you open the board).

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~Sunshine

I've been on Klonopin for anxiety for many years. It depends on person to person how addictive it is. Some can go up and down with ease, others have a tough time. It makes you sleepy if you aren't anxious, so taking it for sleep really isn't the best med unless you are anxious at night. And if your doc gave it to you to reduce your anxiety so you can sleep, then it makes sense.

Becoming dependent on Klonopin is different for each individual upping the dose as well. I am on varying doses though out the year. I am on a low dose (1 mg a day) in the winter, then on 2 mgs a day in the summer because I live in a tourist town and run a tourist business and I have an anxiety disorder. So it all depends on you.

Did your p-doc give you Klonopin to reduce anxiety for sleep? Then you're on the right med. Are you feeling it isn't working already at this dose? Then ask your p-doc about it. Sleep meds can be just as addictive as Klonopin.


Breeze

Ambien, etc. (the non-benzo hypnotics or "Zs") are not addictive. They can be habit-forming in that after extended use you may be unable to sleep without taking the med (but most people can get over this within a few nights), but they are not physically addictive. Tolerance (needing to increase the dosage after extended use) is also generally not an issue.

In terms of a pure sleeping aid, this class of medication is generally far "safer" than benzos. But, as Breeze notes, they aren't anti-anxiety meds, so if the problem is night-time anxiety, they might not be the right med. Regardless, I think it's worth discussing with your pdoc.

~Sunshine

Thanks Sunshine, I thought they were addictive. But you're right, just habit forming.

And we forget there is a difference.

Breeze

There are a few benzos, like Restoril, that are uses by docs as short term sleep meds.