Valium® Addiction Treatment

Since Valium® is a tranquilizing medication that affects the central nervous system, initial symptoms of addiction tend to reflect this suppression. Valium® abuse can affect vital bodily functions like brain and nerve activity, respiration, digestion and heartbeat.

Physical symptoms of Valium® addiction can include:

• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Shallow breathing
• Impaired motor coordination
• Pale skin
• Confusion

The effects of diazepam in those who heavily use this medication are quite similar to alcohol intoxication. Watch for signs of injury caused by accidents or falls. This could indicate problems with their motor coordination. Watch for more worsening symptoms, such as:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty urinating
• Loss of appetite
• Tremors
• Dry mouth
• Slurred speech

Valium® addiction can cause various health and safety hazards, such as overdose, seizure or respiratory depression. And when this medication is combined with other substances, the risk of overdose increases. That’s why it’s essential to get help right away if you or a loved begins to experience these symptoms while taking Valium®.

Most people struggling with substance use disorder will display specific behavioral changes. Watch your loved one for unusual behavior such as:

• Misusing medication: Addiction usually begins when individuals take more of their prescription than prescribed. If your loved one seems to need refills earlier than expected or frequently leaves to seek more medication, this is a huge red flag. You might also notice your loved one injecting, snorting or crushing their pills to get a more potent effect or taking their medication with other substances, such as alcohol. Combining substances is a sign of addiction and poses serious health problems.
• Changes in daily routine: Another common indicator of substance use disorder is a change in daily habits. Since Valium® can cause drowsiness and fatigue, you might notice a loved one avoiding daily tasks — even just taking care of basic needs can feel like a chore. They may skip school or work and spend most of their time searching for more drugs.
• Avoidance and social isolation: Substance use disorder can cause anger and irritability as addicted individuals find it harder to control their lives and sustain their addiction. This can result in them lashing out angrily, creating a rift between themselves and family members or friends. If you notice your loved one retreating from social activities and exhibiting avoidance behaviors, it may be time for them to seek professional help.
• Asking for money: You might also notice sudden financial difficulties arise in your loved one. Those addicted to Valium® can often go through financial strain to supply and sustain their drug use. They may resort to buying drugs off the street if they cannot get their doctor to refill their prescription, for instance, and may ask you for money or begin stealing. Also, watch for unusual behavior such as lying about their finances or selling prized possessions.

When taken as directed, Valium® can be very helpful in treating symptoms of mental illness. However, long-term use or misuse of this drug can do the exact opposite, disrupting the central nervous system and causing symptoms such as:

• Poor judgment
• Disorientation
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Nightmares or hallucinations

After the central nervous system has adjusted to diazepam to regulate its electrical activity, a tolerance can grow into a dependency that can wreak havoc on the brain. These harmful side effects are likely to worsen the longer the addiction continues, so it’s essential to seek professional help if you experience these psychological symptoms.

Since the initial effects of Valium® can provide pleasant sedation, many people will continue to misuse the drug and take higher doses of the medication to achieve these initial effects. These desirable effects sought after by those misusing Valium® include:

• Intense happiness or euphoria
• Lowered stress
• Increased mental and physical relaxation
• Drowsiness

When taken longer than directed by a physician, the desirable effects will diminish as the body develops a physical tolerance to the drug. Side effects commonly reported are fatigue, muscle weakness and ataxia or loss of balance.

The sedative effects of Valium® can last longer in older adults and cause injuries or accidental falls when taken by older adults or combined with alcohol. Valium® also affects the central nervous system with symptoms that will continually worsen the longer the individual takes it. These side effects can include:

• Confusion
• Headache
• Slurred speech
• Tremors
• Vertigo

In addition to these symptoms, Valium® addiction can extend to a person’s mental health and cause distressing symptoms like:

• Hallucinations
• Nightmares
• Anxiety
• Aggressiveness
• Anger
• Sleeping problems
• Delusions

Other short-term symptoms include:

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Blurred vision
• Lowered blood pressure
• Difficulty urinating

When used as directed, Valium® can help treat various conditions. However, long-term misuse can cause many harmful side effects.

The long-term use of diazepam can lead to a lower quality of life by significantly impacting one’s mental and physical health. Valium® addiction is linked to symptoms of tolerance, dependence and withdrawal:

• Tolerance: Tolerance develops as the individual continues to misuse Valium® or combine it with various substances like alcohol, opioids or other benzodiazepines. As the body adapts to the drug, it will need more of the medication to get the same effects. Many people increase their dosage or take it more frequently when this occurs.
• Dependence: While continually taking the medication, the body will need it at all times to function. While physical dependence is typical at first, it may also signify that an individual is developing an addiction. Psychological dependence can take a toll on a person’s mental health and affect the people around them. 
• Withdrawal: When a person attempts to stop taking Valium® or dramatically decreases their dose after taking it for so long, the withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening. 

Withdrawal symptoms of long-term Valium® use can include:

• Severe anxiety
• Depressed or irritable mood
• Vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Panic
• Extreme sensitivity to light
• Inability to sleep
• Restlessness
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

Experiencing these symptoms is often enough for a person to continue misusing Valium®. Eventually, a physical dependence can turn into an addiction or the compulsive desire to get and use more of the substance, no matter the consequences. 

Long-term Valium® misuse can harm the victims’ livelihood and affect their:

• Social and family relationships
• Financial status and stability
• Mental health
• Physical health
• Ability to maintain employment

Anyone who develops a tolerance to Valium® has a risk of overdose. It can occur by accidentally taking more than the prescribed amount or attempting to quit the medication and restarting at the exact dosage as before. Since tolerance drops after stopping the drug, consuming too much can be lethal. It’s essential to know the signs and symptoms so you can call for immediate medical help if you believe someone is experiencing an overdose. 

Since Valium® is fast-acting, early signs of an overdose might appear similar to the side effects of regular use. Signs and symptoms of an overdose include:

• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Excitability
• Rash
• Weakness or impaired motor function
• Tremor
• Stomach upset
• Slowed breathing
• Reduced heart rate

Anyone who takes diazepam at a higher dosage than prescribed or with other substances has an increased risk of overdose. The risk significantly increases when using diazepam with other substances that depress the central nervous system, such as alcohol, with the combined harmful effect on respiration and heart rate. A person may experience shallow breathing or irregular heartbeat, especially when taking Valium® with opioids or alcohol.

An overdose can lead to a coma or death if left untreated. When you call for an emergency, try to have the following information at the ready:

• The person’s age, weight and condition
• Name of drug, ingredients and strength
• Time the person took the medication
• The amount they took 
• Whether a doctor prescribed the medication

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) combines medical help with addiction services. You might utilize these programs if you need help with severe health issues, such as co-occurring mental health disorders or multiple addictions.

Partial hospitalization programs can help you taper off Valium® or other substances while working through mental health issues with professionals.

Dependence can cause a person to experience harmful and uncomfortable side effects when attempting to quit the drug. That’s why you should never attempt to quit Valium® “cold turkey” after struggling with long-term misuse. Doing so can cause seizures or heart failure. Severe mental effects like delirium or hallucinations can also occur during Valium® withdrawal.

As a result, medical professionals will safely wean you from the drug and help you avoid debilitating symptoms. You’ll receive medicines that reduce withdrawal symptoms and simultaneously treat you for other mental conditions as needed.

If you choose inpatient care, you’ll live at a residential treatment facility and follow a comprehensive recovery plan for your Valium® addiction. Inpatient programs allow people struggling with substance use disorder to live and interact with like-minded individuals in group therapy sessions. You’ll also get help from professionals who can provide medicine and therapy sessions to help you overcome triggers.

At a residential treatment facility, you’ll have the opportunity to focus solely on your recovery while learning from peers and counselors. The structured inpatient treatment environment will help you avoid situations that cause substance use. At the same time, the nutritious meals and wellness activities offered in recovery promote an overall healthier lifestyle.

Inpatient programs vary in length, though they typically provide a step-down approach where you gain more autonomy the longer you’re in treatment. 

Therapy and social support play a crucial role in addiction recovery. Trained counselors and licensed therapists can help you pinpoint the potential causes of your addiction and create a plan to overcome them. Several forms of therapy and support for Valium® addiction involve: 

• Motivational interviewing: Therapists can provide the motivation and inspiration you need to address your issues and enter recovery with a positive mindset. In motivational interviews, you’ll be asked to imagine the benefits of sobriety, giving you the confidence to move forward with a healthy recovery plan.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): In CBT, specialists can help you determine why you may have turned to Valium® for relief. You’ll learn how to address your stressors healthily and gain the tools necessary to overcome triggers following the end of treatment. Therapists can also help treat co-existing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. 
• 12-step groups: Substance use disorder is a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment. In 12-step programs, you’ll have the support of peers going through the same problems. You can establish goals in 12-step meetings and work on improving your overall physical and mental health with the help of others. 
• Support groups: Support groups provide a safe and non-judgemental environment to discuss your goals and any setbacks throughout the recovery process. You’ll meet with peers and a group leader, such as a counselor or therapist, who can offer tips and support as you navigate the world of recovery. 

If you’ve already undergone inpatient care, outpatient programs are generally recommended to help you meet your ongoing treatment needs. Outpatient services provide flexibility for those who cannot live at a treatment facility by allowing patients to go to work, school or take care of family members while receiving Valium® addiction treatment. 

Outpatient programs tend to be more affordable, though less intensive than inpatient care since patients will typically attend treatment and therapy sessions on an as-needed basis throughout the week. patients can meet with therapists, attend group counseling or receive MAT while in outpatient care. 

Most people who struggle with substance use disorder live unpredictable lives filled with ups and downs. The structure of treatment centers can help you get your life back on track. Addiction treatment centers foster a comfortable drug-free environment where you’ll be held accountable to stay sober and meet important life goals.

In treatment facilities, counselors encourage healthy routines and coping mechanisms to help you avoid relapses. You’ll address underlying mental health concerns and gain the necessary resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle post-treatment.

Once you’ve safely detoxed, you can think more clearly and start addressing the root causes of your addiction. Professionals will help you discover the situations, events or people who may have played a role in your substance use and help you overcome these triggers in therapy. 

Perhaps your addiction stems from trauma or other mental health conditions. Maybe you used drugs to avoid troubling situations or cope with stressful life changes. Whatever the cause, you’ll learn how certain situations might play a role in your addiction so you can properly address them and lead a happier life free of substance misuse.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a support system. When you enter rehabilitation, you’ll be welcomed by counselors, peers and physicians eager to hear from you. The friendships made at addiction centers will help you through your recovery and motivate you down a healthy path after treatment.

Peers and health professionals can support you as you achieve goals and learn healthy habits. You can also offer your own support, learn from their stories and work to maintain sobriety together. A Valium® treatment facility can provide the sense of acceptance and belonging that you need to reach a successful recovery. 

At a treatment facility, you can learn healthy habits to get you through tough times and avoid relapses. Fun and healthy activities offered by a treatment provider might include:

• Exercise
• Art therapy
• Hiking
• Yoga and meditation
• Group games and sports

These activities will foster team-building as you replace substance use habits with healthy ones. You’ll strengthen relationships with peers and improve your physical and mental health.

Many people will need to receive treatment several times to overcome their addiction. A strong support system of peers, friends and family can make a big difference in a successful recovery.

It’s also important to receive treatment for co-occurring disorders alongside addiction treatment for it to work.

The professionals at Gateway Foundation can safely administer medicines like Vivitrol® or Suboxone® to relieve the withdrawal symptoms of Valium®. These medicines can help safely taper substances from the body so patients can move through the recovery process more comfortably.

Withdrawal symptoms will typically be more severe the more prolonged and more frequent the doses of Valium® you were taking. For this reason, a medical detox might take weeks to several months. Abruptly quitting poses several health risks, so following a professional detox is always recommended.