Diazepam, belonging to the benzodiazepine family of substances, is generally used as a prescription substance for disorders such as anxiety, muscle spasm disorders, some types of seizures, an alcoholic withdrawals in some instances.
However, in the modern world, diazepam (known commonly as the brand – Valium) is seeing increasingly more use in the field of recreational and addictive substances.
Over time, individuals can develop a dependence on diazepam as a substance and can find themselves continuing to seek out the substance, even if it is beyond their treatment plan or if they have experienced negative consequences as a result of their diazepam consumption in the past.
This is known as a diazepam addiction and can cause serious health issues as the individual seeks out more and more of the substance to gain the same effects as when they first started consuming the substance.
This article will focus on the withdrawal and detoxification stage of a diazepam rehabilitation programme (the first stage), though it is important to note that all individuals hoping to overcome their addiction should ensure that they have completed all stages of rehabilitation.
As mentioned in the introduction, diazepam is an addictive substance, even if is not its original purpose.
When a substance is addictive, it can have unique impacts on the body, causing the individual to seek out the substance regularly in order to consume the substance and regain the short-term effects.
However, these short-term effects do not last; individuals will often find themselves building a tolerance to the substance and requiring more and more to gain the same effects as they may have experienced in the first few instances of the individual consuming the substance.
As a part of the benzodiazepine family of substances, these substances are also known to seriously compromise the body’s central nervous system – something that can be useful in medical situations and when needed, but generally dangerous and life-threatening to any individual who consumes them recreationally.
This is why it is always essential that individuals seek help for a diazepam addiction in Manchester as soon as they are able to, with the help of friends, family, medical professionals, or an addiction referral specialist such as Rehab 4 Addiction.
Though diazepam itself is a substance commonly used in the withdrawal from other substances such as other benzodiazepines (1), diazepam itself also requires a withdrawal process to reduce the negative impacts that occur as a result of the substance leaving the body.
Diazepam is used in these situations as it is often considered to be a “less addictive” version of a benzodiazepine than others in the same category but often requires its own detoxification process later in the individual’s rehabilitation journey.
During a diazepam withdrawal or detox, individuals will be supported and monitored through reducing their diazepam consumption (sometimes supported by additional substances, as well) in a way that causes the least possible harm to the individual’s physical and mental health.
There are specialist detox centres in Manchester that can support different detox processes, so get in touch with your local health services or addiction referral service to find the most suitable programme for you and your needs, or for the needs of someone you know.
Though the signs of symptoms of an individual’s diazepam consumption in Manchester may not always be apparent, there are some common signs and symptoms to look out for in terms of withdrawal symptoms.
These are the symptoms that individuals will first display when they are unable to access diazepam or when they have made the choice to withdraw.
The most commonly displayed of these symptoms are outlined below:
All of these signs and symptoms depend on the severity and history of the individual’s diazepam addiction, so may not be relevant to all cases. Additionally, there are countless more signs and symptoms that have been documented, but do not apply in the majority of cases.
In Manchester, and across the rest of the UK, a diazepam detox can take anywhere from a few days to a year or more. This is dependent on the symptoms that an individual displays as a result of their diazepam addiction i.e., the history and severity of their addiction.
In the first 48 hours, the individual is likely to experience the onset of the majority of their symptoms, including the signs and symptoms listed above, but also severe mental health issues that can lead to suicide ideation and other life-threatening factors in some cases.
This is why it is always recommended that individuals undergo a diazepam detox with supervision – either from a medical professional (preferred) or from a form of social support who is aware of the situation and has been instructed on what to do should anything go wrong or if any emergencies arise.
To learn which facilities offer diazepam detoxes in Manchester, get in touch with your local health services or call Rehab 4 Addiction today for free and confidential advice.
Before any individual begins a diazepam detox in Manchester, they must first be assessed for their suitability for a detox, and for any other treatment that they require.
An individual beginning a detox programme for diazepam in Manchester could expect to be asked some or similar of the following questions:
In the field of addiction and rehabilitation, Manchester or otherwise, it is generally recommended that individuals seek and enter some form of inpatient treatment rather than outpatient treatment options.
The key differences are outlined below:
Individuals should always speak to a medical professional or addiction referral service before beginning any form of treatment, even if they believe it to be the right treatment for them. It is vital that all individuals seeking diazepam detoxification in Manchester keep an open mind when it comes to seeking support and consider all options equally, especially if suggested by a professional.
Below follows some of the most commonly asked questions about diazepam detoxification in Manchester:
To learn more about diazepam and other benzodiazepines and their detox processes within Manchester, get in touch with Rehab 4 Addiction for free and confidential advice, as well as the best next steps for you and your rehabilitation needs.
To contact our addiction advice hotline, call us on 0800 140 4690 today where a friendly and professional addiction specialist is ready and waiting to help.
[1] Harrison, M., Busto, U., Naranjo, C.A., Kaplan, H.L. and Sellers, E.M., 1984. Diazepam tapering in detoxification for high‐dose benzodiazepam abuse. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 36(4), pp.527-533.
