Why are doctors so reluctant to prescribe clonazepam?

The benzodiazepine crisis has become as bad... or worse... than the opioid crisis. Benzos are addictive, have a high potential for abuse, and can cause depression, increased anxiety, sleep disturbances, memory loss, and many other psychiatric and physical side effects.
Some people could benefit from their use, but the actions of a few endanger many people including the prescribing doctors and pharmaceutical houses.

It is very sad that Drs are told or are to afraid of getting in trouble from the Dea and insurance companies. T prescribe clonazepam for Ppl who really need it. PCP send you off to a psychiatrist who also will not prescribe clonazepam. But they have no problem giving out prescription for other medications that have terrible side effects. And yes you have withdrawal symptoms if you go off these meds. Some Ppl cannot take antidepressants. Clonazepam is the only drug that has ever worked for me. I have been willing to try all the others. To only have reactions to them. Drs need to take back control of their practices and have the best interests of their patients in mind. This whole system is getting out of control. Drs plz stand back up for us Ppl who follow the rules and really need this med.

Part of it is medicare, because the cme has come out with a list of drugs not safe for those of us over 65 and part of it is our government thinks we'll all become addicted to them, or sell them on the streets. I figure when the people who make those regs are older and suffer chronic pain and or insomnia, they'll change their tune. The government watches drs and how many controlled drugs they order.

Because so many people have been selling their prescriptions or buying on the Internet, it's high on the abuse list, soon it'll be hard to get anything pain, anxiety or muscle relaxant related.

Best approach is to not ask for anything specifically, just report symptoms and hope eventually you'll get what works for you. By asking for a specific, especially one of those it's a big red flag, matters not if you're responsible or truly in need.