What happens if I take Klonopin with other CNS depressants?

Klonopin, or clonazepam, belongs to a group of sedative-hypnotic drugs called

benzodiazepines.
Klonopin slows down excessive activity in the central nervous system (CNS) to
obviate seizures, relieve anxiety or control abnormal muscle movement.
Although Klonopin has a potential for tolerance, abuse and addiction, this
medication is generally safer and less addictive than other tranquilizers. But
most recreational users take Klonopin along with other drugs or alcohol, either to
enhance the sedative properties of Klonopin or to counteract the effects of
stimulants like meth or cocaine. In fact, the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry states
that drugs in the benzodiazepine family are rarely the primary drugs of abuse,
and that most people who take benzodiazepines for nonmedical reasons combine
them with other intoxicants. People don't realize just how serious it is when they
abuse drugs like Klonopin, they think because it's a legally prescribed medication
even if they obtain it illegally, it's ok but drugs like Clonazepam when taken in
large doses, mixed with other CNS depressants, or when even mixed with alcohol
it can slow your heart rate and respiratory system down until your heart just
stops beating.
EFFECTS OF KLOPNOPIN WHEN MIXED WITH ALCOHOL: When taken together,
alcohol and Klonopin form a dangerous cocktail. Klonopin is a powerful, longacting anxiolytic drug, and recreational users seek it out for its tranquilizing
effects. Because alcohol intensifies the side effects of Klonopin, this combination
is popular among polydrug users. The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
notes that alcohol is the most common secondary substance of abuse involved in
benzodiazepine overdoses. Drug and Alcohol Dependence states that the
incidence of drug overdoses, drug-related deaths, and fatal motor vehicle
accidents is higher among people who routinely abuse alcohol with
benzodiazepines. In pregnant women, taking Klonopin with alcohol can also raise
the risk of birth defects in the developing fetus. Respiratory failure, loss of
consciousness and death may result from taking clonazepam while youre
drinking. Over time, abusing Klonopin and alcohol can affect your moods,
memory and cognition, causing depression, memory loss and learning problems.
EFFECTS OF KLOPNOPIN WITH OTHER CNS DEPRESSANTS: Taking too much
Klonopin, or combining it with other CNS depressants, can make you feel tired,
dizzy, confused and uncoordinated. Benzodiazepines are often combined with
narcotics derived from opium such as heroin, methadone, oxycodone and
hydrocodone or with other tranquilizers and sedatives. Taking benzodiazepines
with these CNS depressants can cause immediate reactions such as extreme
sedation, slow breathing and a slow heart rate. Over the long-term, abusing
Klonopin with illicit opioids or opioid pain medications can cause numerous
harmful side effects, such as: Chronic confusion, Memory loss, Lack of
coordination, slow reflexes, Depression, Digestive problems among others. Most
importantly, combining Klonopin with opioids or sedatives increases the risk of a
serious overdose. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN),
benzodiazepine users who seek treatment at the emergency room are more
likely to be admitted for hospitalization if they have multiple drugs in their
system. The CNS-depressant action of the benzodiazepine class of drugs may be
potentiated by alcohol, narcotics, barbiturates, nonbarbiturate hypnotics,
antianxiety agents, the phenothiazines, thioxanthene and butyrophenone classes
of antipsychotic agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and the tricyclic
antidepressants, and by other anticonvulsant drugs.