Diazepam is a widely prescribed medication part of the benzodiazepine group. It is used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures as well as a range of other health issues.
Whilst diazepam is highly effective when it is used as directed by your doctor, long term use can lead to a range of issues, including an addiction.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with an addiction to diazepam, then they will need to undergo a medical detox in order to recover.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of specialists are able to connect individuals suffering from a diazepam addiction in Leeds with safe, medically supervised detox and rehab services.
This page explains how a diazepam addiction develops, why a medical detox must be handled carefully and what treatment options are available across Leeds and the rest of the UK.
Diazepam, often known by the brand name Valium, acts on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. However, over time, the brain can become reliant on the drug to function normally.
It is important to understand that an addiction or dependence can happen even when diazepam is taken as prescribed by your doctor or health professional.
When this happens, the body gradually adapts to having the addictive substance in the body, meaning that it requires higher doses in order to achieve the same effect. This process can quickly lead to an addiction issue [1].
There are a number of common signs that someone is becoming addicted to diazepam, including needing larger doses in order to feel the same effect, experiencing large cravings for the substance or struggling to stop consuming it.
There are also a number of withdrawal symptoms that you will likely experience when you stop consuming the drug.
It is important to understand that anyone taking diazepam for an extended period of time might develop an addiction issue.
However, the risk increases if the medication is used for longer than recommended, if the substance is combined with other addictive substances such as alcohol or if you already suffer from a history of substance misuse.
A medical detox is the process of removing diazepam from the body, whilst managing your withdrawal symptoms in a safe and controlled way.
Because benzodiazepines affect the brain’s chemistry along with the body, the detox process can be complex and, in some cases, dangerous and life threatening if you are not closely managed during this time.
A medical detox is necessary in order to fully recover from your addiction issues.
Without a medical detox, the cycle of addiction continues. A medical detox allows the body to stabilise again and prepares individuals for other treatment, such as therapy.
It is incredibly important that you do not attempt to detox alone. A benzodiazepine detox must never be attempted alone as it poses major risks to your health.
Stopping diazepam suddenly can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including some of those listed below for you:
Like an alcohol withdrawal, coming off diazepam too quickly can result in life-threatening health issues.
For this reason, a medical detox from diazepam should always take place under professional supervision, often within a structured rehab setting.
There are a number of withdrawal symptoms that you should expect to experience when you detox from an addiction substance such as diazepam.
These withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on the length of use, how much you take and your individual health [2].
Below are some of the mildest, moderate and severe withdrawal symptoms and when you should expect to experience them.
These may begin within just hours or a few days of reducing use [2]:
As the withdrawal process progresses, symptoms might start to intensify, resulting in some of the following withdrawal symptoms [2]:
In some cases, more serious complications can occur, resulting in some of the below severe withdrawal symptoms:
This is why a medically supervised detox in Leeds is strongly recommended for anyone who needs to detox from diazepam.
Seeking help for an addiction issue can feel overwhelming. However, understanding the process can make it a lot more manageable.
Below explains the typical process that most people go through when they enter drug and alcohol rehab treatment, including a medical detox.
Treatment usually starts with a comprehensive assessment. This helps medical professionals understand how severely you are addicted to the substance, how much you consume and any physical or mental health needs.
During the medical detox, the aim is to stabilise the body and rid it off its addiction. This often involves reducing the addictive substance, including diazepam, rather than stopping it suddenly and abruptly.
A gradual withdrawal schedule is commonly used during a benzodiazepine detox. This means that your dose is reduced slowly over time, that your withdrawal symptoms will be minimised and that the risk of any complications is lowered.
Throughout your medical detox, medical professionals will monitor your vital signs, your mental health and any withdrawal symptoms. During this time, support is available 24/7 across most rehab clinics.
There are a number of different ways to approach a medical detox, depending on your specific circumstances.
The two most popular and commonly used types of rehabs are inpatient and outpatient, which are explained further below for you:
Inpatient rehab involves staying at the rehab centre during your detox and therapy. This could be for a number of weeks or even months depending on the severity of your addiction.
There are a number of benefits associated with inpatient rehab treatment, including around the clock care and attention, continuous medical supervision, reduced risk of relapse, a structured environment and immediate support.
This is often recommended for anyone with a moderate to severe addiction issue who simply would not be able to detox or recover at home.
Outpatient rehab allows individuals to remain in the comfort of their own home, whilst attending regular appointments each week.
This is the better option for anyone with a mild addiction who has a stable home environment and can follow medical guidance strictly.
However, it is important to understand that outpatient detox carries higher risks and is not suitable for everyone with a moderate or severe addiction issue.
It is important to understand that a medical detox alone is not enough to overcome an addiction. This is because it only addresses your physical addiction.
When it comes to an individual’s long term recovery, psychological mental health issues must also be treated.
Rehab therapy programmes in Leeds often include a range of therapy techniques, including cognitive behavioural therapy, one to one therapy, family therapy and group therapy.
These therapy techniques help individuals to better understand the root causes of their addiction and develop healthier coping strategies going forward.
Likewise, your time in therapy will also focus on relapse prevention, which involves learning how to avoid relapsing in the future.
This includes learning how to better identify triggers, how to manage stress and how to build resilience. This will prepare you for life after rehab.
When someone is suffering from an addiction, it can be difficult to recognise when help is needed.
There are a number of signs and symptoms that someone is suffering from an addiction issue, including some of those listed below for you:
Seeking help early can prevent your addiction from getting worse, which is why early intervention is incredibly important.
Many individuals struggling with an addiction combine diazepam with other substances, including alcohol. Doing so puts you at risk of an overdose.
This is because both diazepam and alcohol impact the central nervous system.
When taken together, they can slow your breathing down, impair your coordination and increase the risk of a fatal and life-threatening overdose.
Taking numerous addictive substances together, at the same time, is known as polysubstance use and makes the detox process more complex as well as increasing the need for medical supervision.
There is often a strong link between addiction and mental health issues. When someone suffers from both addiction and mental health issues, they are said to suffer from a dual diagnosis.
Some individuals experience both addiction and mental health disorders such as anxiety, paranoia, depression or PTSD.
A dual diagnosis means your treatment can be more complex and that it will likely require targeted, integrated treatment.
An effective drug and alcohol rehab will focus not only on detox but also on the underlying causes of addiction. Without this, the risk of relapse remains high.
Leeds offers access to a range of different detox and rehab services, including private and NHS-funded support.
When choosing a detox service, there are a number of things that you should consider.
This includes their availability, their experience with benzodiazepine addiction, the range of therapies offered and the amount of aftercare support they offer.
Our team at Rehab 4 Addiction helps individuals in Leeds find suitable detox and rehab services quickly. We provide guidance and support based on your specific needs, ensuring that you receive the right level of care.
Watching someone struggle with an addiction issue can feel incredibly challenging. If someone you care about needs detox, then it is important to understand that your support can make a huge difference.
There are a number of things that you can do to help a loved one through this period of their life, including encouraging professional treatment, avoiding enabling behaviour, offering emotional support and educating yourself on addiction and mental health issues.
Likewise, whilst support is important, setting boundaries is also necessary to protect your own mental health and wellbeing.
Below, we outline answers to common questions about diazepam detox:
How long your detox will take will depend on your specific addiction and needs. In many cases, it can take several weeks, especially when a slow and tapered approach is used.
Yes, it can be. Withdrawal symptoms might include seizures, which can be life-threatening. This is why a medical detox from diazepam should always be carried out under medical supervision.
It is important to understand that a home detox is not recommended for most people recovering from an addiction to diazepam, due to the risks involved. A medically supervised detox provides a safer environment.
After your medical detox, you will usually enter therapy, where your therapists will address the psychological aspects of your addiction, including any mental health issues or the root causes of your addiction.
Our team at Rehab 4 Addiction can help you to find suitable detox and rehab services in Leeds. An addiction to diazepam can be difficult, although not impossible to overcome.
This is because you will likely experience severe withdrawal symptoms, which should be monitored closely in order to reduce the risk of a relapse.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a diazepam addiction, then it is important to remember that help is available.
Seeking professional detox and rehab support in Leeds can provide a safe and effective path towards lasting recovery.
