Clonidine Addiction, Abuse, and Symptoms

How clonidine affects the brain

Clonidine is classified as a centrally acting alpha-agonist, which means it blocks sympathetic activity in the brain. In humans, the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for controlling the fight-or-flight response. This response triggers physical changes that prepare an individual to either flee from a threat or stay and face the threat; for example, heart rate increases, muscles tense, and the individual starts sweating. Its effects on the brain give clonidine the ability to reduce anxiety, produce a mild sense of euphoria, and relieve pain, all of which are desirable effects for non-medical users.

Behavioral signs of clonidine usage and abuse

When taken according to the prescription instructions, clonidine may not cause any behavioral changes; however, non-medical users are likely to display behavioral changes because they take more clonidine than prescribed or because they combine clonidine with alcohol or other drugs. Some users even meet the criteria for substance abuse disorder.

According to the DSM-V, one of the criteria for substance abuse disorder is the continued use of a substance even when it interferes with the ability to meet obligations related to work or school. People who misuse clonidine may receive poor performance ratings or lose their jobs due to issues such as absenteeism, tardiness, or an inability to fulfill their basic duties. Adolescents who misuse clonidine may receive poor grades, skip school, or stop doing their homework.

Some people who misuse clonidine also give up their hobbies and other recreational activities because they spend so much of their time obtaining clonidine, using it, and hiding their addiction from others. Adolescents may give up activities such as school sports and after-school clubs, and adult users may stop participating in social clubs or attending community events.

Financial and legal problems are also a potential sign of clonidine abuse. Users may stop paying their bills or start asking friends and family members to borrow money because they’ve spent all their money on clonidine. People with a substance use disorder may also engage in risky behaviors, making it more likely that they’ll receive traffic tickets or be charged with crimes like reckless driving or driving under the influence.

How clonidine affects the body

When clonidine activates alpha-2 receptors in the brain and other parts of the nervous system, it triggers a series of physical changes. The heart rate slows down, reducing the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat. Clonidine also causes the blood vessels to dilate, reducing the workload of the heart. As a result of these changes, blood pressure decreases.

Early physical effects of clonidine

Although it may take two to four weeks for clonidine to start reducing an individual’s blood pressure, some side effects appear within as little as 30 to 60 minutes of the first dose. Some of these side effects are unpleasant; if clonidine isn’t taken according to the prescription instructions, certain side effects can even be life-threatening.

Severe and long-term physical effects of clonidine

Non-medical users of clonidine often take more of the drug than prescribed to heighten its euphoric effects. Therefore, long-term use of clonidine can cause several physical effects, some of which are undesirable. In people who have pre-existing health conditions or use clonidine along with other substances, these effects can even be life-threatening.

People who stop using clonidine suddenly can also experience rebound hypertension, a condition characterized by a significant increase in blood pressure. In one study, three patients experienced such a significant spike in blood pressure while withdrawing from clonidine that they had to take antihypertensive medication — medication used to reduce blood pressure — within 12 to 60 hours after taking their last dose of clonidine.

Combining clonidine with alcohol or drugs can be dangerous, especially in people who have high blood pressure and other chronic medical conditions. Combining clonidine with other substances can produce a strong sedative effect and reduce the effectiveness of the clonidine itself, resulting in elevated blood pressure and other serious problems.

In some people, clonidine causes a significant drop in blood pressure, which can result in lightheadedness or fainting. Although fainting itself doesn’t cause any harm, fainting while driving or using heavy machinery can result in serious injuries. It’s also possible to sustain a head injury or broken bone while fainting.

Non-medical use of sedatives is a growing concern, especially among women

According to the 2019 World Drug Report, approximately 10 tons of sedatives were seized by law-enforcement officials in 2017. Although the amount of sedatives seized in 2017 was much lower than the amount seized during the previous year, sedative misuse is still a serious problem in all regions of the world. Officials are especially concerned about polydrug use, which is the use of sedatives with other substances. For example, some users combine sedatives with alcohol, increasing the risk of serious side effects.

The non-medical use of sedatives and tranquilizers is especially concerning in Central America and South America. More than 2% of the general population in both regions report engaging in the non-medical use of these substances. Data from school surveys indicates that the non-medical use of sedatives and tranquilizers is a growing problem among adolescents. For example, approximately 1.9% of El Salvadoran students between the ages of 13 and 17 reported non-medical use of these substances in 2017.

Sedative and tranquilizer use has also been increasing throughout Europe, especially in the Western and Central regions. Based on data from the 2019 World Drug Report, Czechia, Italy, Lithuania, and the Netherlands are particular areas of concern. In Czechia, for example, nearly 20% of the population has engaged in the non-medical use of tranquilizers.

The amount of data available for Asia and Africa is limited, but the current data indicate that sedative and tranquilizer use is also a growing problem on these continents. In Asia, non-medical use of these substances is especially prevalent in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. Non-medical use of tranquilizers, including benzodiazepines, is also prevalent in Morocco, Algeria, and other parts of North Africa.

Prescription sedative and tranquilizer misuse is a serious concern in the United States

Non-medical use of sedatives and tranquilizers is a much bigger problem in the United States than it is in other parts of North America. For example, while only 0.2% of Canadians aged 15 and older reported past-year tranquilizer misuse in 2017, 2.2% of Americans aged 12 and older reported misusing tranquilizers in the same timeframe.

Although sedative and tranquilizer misuse is still a serious problem for Americans, data from the Monitoring the Future Study indicate that the prevalence of tranquilizer use among 10th graders and 12th graders was lower in 2019 than it was in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, 6.10% of 12th graders reported that they had misused tranquilizers, down from 6.1% in 2018. The number of 10th graders reporting lifetime tranquilizer use also decreased, going from 6% in 2018 to 5.7% in 2019.

One particular area of concern is the rising prevalence of tranquilizer use among younger adolescents. In 2018, 3.5% of 8th graders surveyed reported that they had used tranquilizers at some point in their lives; this increased to 4% in 2019. Past-year use of tranquilizers also increased, going from 2% in 2018 to 2.4% in 2019.

Several factors influence the rising rates of sedative and tranquilizer misuse in the United States, but one of the most important is the increased trafficking of these substances. In 2017, nearly half of the barbiturates seized by law-enforcement officials were seized in North America. Increased trafficking makes it easier for Americans to obtain sedatives and tranquilizers, contributing to increased rates of abuse.