Valium Addiction
Valium® (diazepam) is a long-acting benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety. Its sedative effects make it a common target for abuse and prescription drug addiction.
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What Is Valium and Is It Addictive?
Valium (diazepam) is a brand-name benzodiazepine, a prescription medication used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures in patients.
Valium has a calming, sedative effect, which means it can be habit-forming for users, especially if they take it long-term or outside of a prescription.
Valium addiction can happen when your brain develops a physical dependence on the drug and needs it in order to feel calm or function normally. Over time, this dependence can lead to addiction, where the person continues to use Valium even if it’s beginning to cause problems in their daily lives.
Unlike shorter-acting benzodiazepines like Xanax or Ativan, Valium has a longer half-life, meaning it stays active in your body for longer.
While many people begin taking Valium for legitimate medical reasons, its long-lasting effects can increase the risk of misuse and addiction over time.
Valium Abuse and Addiction
Unfortunately, drug abuse and benzos like Valium can go hand-in-hand—access to the drug is very easy, and its intoxicating effects can quickly become addictive when used for long periods. Valium is typically only prescribed for as-needed use or short periods.
Valium use longer than 4 months is generally discouraged but not necessarily enforced by physicians. If you’re already struggling with drug abuse or substance use disorder, you may be more at risk of becoming addicted to Valium.
Signs of Valium Addiction
Valium addiction can be difficult to recognize, especially when it begins as a legitimate prescription.
The following behaviors are warning signs to look out for if you suspect Valium abuse is occurring with a loved one or even yourself:
- Change in behavior and performance at work or school
- High drug tolerance (needing larger doses to achieve the same effect)
- Strong cravings and physical dependence on the drug
- Withdrawal symptoms when the drug is reduced or stopped
- Spending excessive time obtaining, using, or recovering from the drug
- Prioritizing Valium over activities you previously enjoyed
- Valium overdose
Valium Withdrawal Symptoms
Benzos are notorious for having serious withdrawal symptoms, and Valium is no exception.
Due to the sometimes life-threatening nature of these symptoms, it’s recommended that you quit under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure you are safely weaned off Valium.
Valium withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Tremors
- Abdominal and muscle cramps
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Extreme anxiety
- Insomnia
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Valium Overdose
If you suspect someone is experiencing a Valium overdose, it’s important to call 911 immediately and stay with the person until help arrives. Acting quickly in an overdose can mean the difference between life and death.
Symptoms of a Valium overdose may include:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Slowed breathing and heartbeat
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Death
Side Effects of Valium Abuse
Valium affects the central nervous system (CNS), so abusing it can affect both your physical body and your mental state—especially if you use it long-term or in high doses.
While some of these side effects might feel mild at first, they can increase dramatically and can become life-threatening over time.
Some of the short-term effects of Valium abuse include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Feeling tired
- Muscle weakness
- Balance issues
- Nausea
- Memory problems
With ongoing misuse, Valium can lead to more serious or lasting effects, including:
- Sleep disorders
- Heart complications
- Anxiety
- Mania
- Psychosis
- Depression
Additionally, these long-term effects can worsen over time, especially when Valium is being used without medical supervision.
Valium Addiction Treatment Options
Identifying and treating drug addiction to Valium is no easy task, but it’s very possible with the support of loved ones and the right treatment center. It’s important to remember that you are not alone in your addiction, and many providers are ready to help you find recovery.
The sooner you find help, the more likely you are to avoid the long-term damage Valium abuse can cause.
Detoxing From Valium
If you’re planning on quitting Valium, it’s highly recommended you taper off the drug under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure your safety during the process. Some withdrawal symptoms can be very dangerous if left untreated, so ensure you have a plan if more severe withdrawal symptoms present themselves.
Valium Addiction Treatment Programs
Treating Valium addiction usually requires a combination of medical support and behavioral therapy. Since benzodiazepines like Valium can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, the first step in addiction treatment is usually some kind of medical detox or tapering program.
Valium addiction treatment will vary from person to person, and the type of treatment approach that’s best for you will depend on things like how long Valium was being used for, what the dosage was, and whether other substance abuse or mental health issues are also a factor.
Medical Detox and Tapering
For most people, the first step in treatment is a gradual taper, not quitting cold turkey. The withdrawal symptoms from quitting cold turkey can be deadly.
If your doctor decides that tapering is right for you, they’ll provide you with a specialized dosage schedule that helps slowly decrease your daily dose of Valium. This process can take weeks or even months, depending on how severe the dependence is, but it’s worth it to maintain your safety as your body adjusts.
In some cases, supervised medical detox may be recommended—especially if there is a risk of severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures.
Inpatient Rehab for Valium Addiction
Inpatient rehab provides 24/7 medical and emotional support, which can be really helpful for people with—
- Long-term or high-dose Valium use
- Co-occurring mental health conditions
- A history of relapse or polysubstance use
These programs typically last 30 to 90 days and include therapy, medical monitoring, and structured daily routines.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
Outpatient programs allow people to receive treatment while continuing to live at home.
They may include:
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): More structured, with several hours of treatment per day
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): Fewer weekly hours, often used after higher levels of care
Outpatient care works best for those with stable home environments and lower-risk withdrawal symptoms.
Therapy and Long-Term Support
Behavioral therapy is usually a critical part of Valium addiction treatment.
Common approaches include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify triggers and change thought patterns
- Group therapy: Provides support and accountability
- Support groups: Programs like 12-step groups or SMART Recovery
Long-term support is essential, as benzodiazepine dependence can take time to fully resolve.
Valium Abuse Statistics
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the number of people who reported ever using diazepam for non-medical purposes declined from more than 13 million in 2012 to under 12.5 million in 2013.
That same study shows that diazepam is the 3rd most widely abused tranquilizer in the US, behind alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Support for Friends and Family Members Hooked on Valium
Watching a loved one struggle with substance abuse can be heart-wrenching, especially if it was initially prescribed to offer them relief from mental illness. While your first instinct is to help them, it’s also important to help yourself.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or helpless because of a loved one who’s abusing Valium, make sure you take time for yourself and even consider seeking out a professional to speak to.
Get Help for Valium Addiction
If you have become addicted to Valium, help is available: Learn more about treatment and therapy options for Valium addiction.
Valium Addiction FAQs
Why is Valium used for alcohol withdrawal?
Alcohol withdrawal can come with some very nasty symptoms, some of which brief use of Valium can assist with. It is especially helpful with the risk of seizures and delirium tremens, which feature fever, tremors, constant hallucinations, and increased heart rate and breathing. Valium has been shown to provide some relief when used sparely.
What should you avoid when taking Valium?
Alcohol is incredibly dangerous when used in combination with Valium (or other benzos). Both substances are depressants, slowing your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure. This slowing effect can lead to coma and even death when taken in excess.
Opioids have the same dangers as alcohol and should not be mixed with Valium.
Grapefruit products may interact with Valium, so avoiding any food or drink containing grapefruit is important.
Why should Valium not be used long term?
Valium has a long half-life, meaning it can affect you much longer than other benzos. This, in combination with its risk of heart muscle disease (weakening of your heart muscles), makes it a substance you don’t want to be on for more than 4 months.
Get Treatment Help
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, getting help is just a phone call away, or consider trying therapy online with BetterHelp.
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