An addiction to Valium can impact every area of a person’s life, from their physical health and mental wellbeing to their employment, their finances and their relationships.
Although Valium is commonly prescribed for a range of issues including anxiety, muscle spasms and sleep issues, long term use can quickly lead to an addiction.
Once an addiction develops, stopping abusing the addictive substance suddenly can be incredibly dangerous without professional medical treatment and support.
This is because a benzodiazepine withdrawal carries serious health risks, including seizures and severe psychological symptoms. For this reason alone, a professional detox in a rehab setting is strongly recommended by rehab and addiction recovery specialists.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of advisers are able to help people to access safe and effective detox treatment in Birmingham and the rest of the UK.
Whether you have been taking Valium for a number of months or for a number of years, rehab treatment, including a medical detox, will allow you to begin your recovery in a supportive environment.
This article explains how a Valium addiction develops, the different dangers linked to a withdrawal, and how detox and rehab clinics in Birmingham can support you during your recovery journey.
Valium is the used commercial name for diazepam, which is a type of benzodiazepine medication frequently used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, muscle spasms, insomnia and even alcohol withdrawal symptoms [1].
Valium works by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This is a neurotransmitter that slows activity in the brain and nervous system, creating a calming and sedative effect [1].
Whilst Valium may be hugely beneficial for short-term use, long-term use can result in an increased tolerance, which over time will lead to an addiction.
Over time, lots of people require larger doses to achieve the same effects that they once experienced consuming less of the addictive substance, increasing the risk of an addiction to Valium and even other addictive substances such as heroin, cocaine, cannabis or alcohol.
It is important to understand that a Valium addiction develops when a person becomes unable to stop using the addictive substance, despite experiencing and understanding the harmful consequences and impact that it is having.
It is also important to understand that an addiction can occur even when Valium has been prescribed by a doctor or medical professional to help with a health condition.
There are a number of common signs that someone is suffering from an addiction to Valium, including some of those listed below:
It is also important to acknowledge that a benzodiazepine addiction can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Lots of individuals start taking Valium for genuine medical reasons before an addiction gradually develops.
A medical detox is the process of clearing Valium from the body whilst managing withdrawal symptoms safely.
Because benzodiazepines directly affect the body’s nervous system, a withdrawal from Valium can be particularly unpredictable and can result in potentially life threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Unlike many other substances such as cannabis, a benzodiazepine withdrawal can lead to serious medical issues if a detox is attempted too quickly or alone without medical help.
This is why a withdrawal from Valium should never be underestimated. Very similarly to an alcohol withdrawal, stopping benzodiazepines abruptly can trigger seizures, hallucinations, psychosis or other severe health complications.
Attending and undergoing a medical detox significantly reduces these dangers through gradual withdrawal and dose reduction whilst undergoing continuous monitoring.
It is important to understand that withdrawal symptoms vary significantly depending on a number of different factors such as how long you have been addicted to the substance for, how much of the addictive substance you consume, your overall physical health and whether or not other addictive substances, such as alcohol, cannabis or heroin are involved [2].
However, the most common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, panic attacks, restlessness, tremors, insomnia, nausea, irritation, excessive sweating and even depression.
Likewise, people with withdrawal symptoms might experience confusion, hallucinations and even potentially life-threatening seizures. Some people also experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms lasting weeks or months after their initial detox [2].
Valium is a long-acting benzodiazepine, meaning that withdrawal symptoms can start to take effect more gradually than compared to other more shorter-acting drugs.
This means that detox timelines vary significantly between individuals, although many people with a mild to moderate addiction to Valium tend to follow a similar pattern.
During the first few days into your detox, you will likely experience early withdrawal symptoms often including anxiety, poor sleep, agitation and all-round frustration.
During this time, your body is starting to get used to withdrawing from the substance, and symptoms aren’t too severe. However, doctors and other medical professionals will still be monitoring you closely during this time.
Over the next two weeks, withdrawal symptoms commonly tend to intensify during this stage. This will likely include things such as increased cravings, panic attacks, hallucinations and excessive sweating and vomiting.
During this time, you will be in discomfort which will put you at risk of relapsing. Your doctors and medical professionals will be keeping a close eye on your overall health, to ensure that you are able to manage with your symptoms and aren’t at risk of quitting.
During the next six weeks, your withdrawal symptoms usually begin to reduce gradually, although some psychological symptoms, such as anxiety or depression might still continue.
It is important to understand that your recovery is not complete after your detox is finished. This is because true, long-term recovery from an addiction extends beyond just a medical detox.
After you finish your detox, you will then enter rehab and therapy to help you to maintain long-term sobriety and uncover the root causes of your addiction.
Attempting a Valium detox at home can put you at serious risk. Withdrawal symptoms may escalate quickly and become very difficult to manage without professional, medical support.
There are many benefits to a professional detox, including 24-hour support, a gradual reduction, reduced risk of a seizure and even emotional support. You will also be offered medication to help you calm your withdrawal symptoms if professionals deem it necessary.
Most detox clinics across Birmingham and the rest of the UK use a gradual tapering approach, rather than allowing individuals to stop taking Valium suddenly.
Many people become very anxious at the thought of undergoing a detox, due to the potential severe withdrawal symptoms.
However, it is important to understand that detoxing in a safe and controlled environment will limit the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, and that you will be monitored around the clock. Below is a summary of what you can typically expect when attending a detox from Valium.
Your detox treatment will begin with an assessment of your addiction, your overall physical health and your mental wellbeing. During this time, rehab doctors will ask you a number of questions and it is important that you remain as open and honest as possible during this stage.
Once you have been assessed and any immediate health issues resolved and stabilised, doctors will start your withdrawal. As discussed above, your Valium consumption is reduced slowly over time to minimise any withdrawal symptoms and lower any potential medical risks. Your doctors will put in a withdrawal plan in place based on the answers you gave from your initial assessment.
Over the next couple of weeks, healthcare professionals and doctors will monitor any withdrawal symptoms closely and prescribe you any medication if necessary. They will be assessing your mental health alongside your physical health.
After the detox, many people continue their recovery journey into rehab treatment. During this time, you will undergo therapy to address the psychological symptoms and causes of addiction.
During this time, individuals are often encouraged to think about the potential root causes of their addiction, which often includes pre-existing mental health issues or some form of trauma.
Rehab therapy is a crucial part of most people’s recovery journey. Whilst the medical detox addresses the individual’s physical addiction, rehab therapy then aims to focus on the emotional and behavioural side of addiction issues.
Without professional therapy, many people struggle to maintain recovery after detoxing and go on to relapse later down the line. There are now a range of different therapy techniques offered throughout rehab centres up and down the UK, used to treat a range of mental health conditions. Some of these are listed below.
As discussed above, therapy helps people to better understand the underlying causes of their addiction, whilst helping them to develop healthier coping strategies moving forward.
Many people who are struggling with addiction issues combine a number of addictive substances together. In fact, many people who find themselves addicted to Valium often tend to combine Valium with alcohol or other depressant drugs.
Unfortunately, this will significantly increase the risk of an overdose.
This is because combining depressants slows breathing and heart rates down to dangerous levels. It is particularly dangerous and risky to combine Valium with alcohol, heroin, sleeping tablets or opioids.
When an individual suffers from an addiction to numerous drugs at the same time, it is known as a polydrug addiction. A polydrug addiction often requires specialist detox treatment due to increased withdrawal complexity.
Many people living with an addiction to Valium or other benzodiazepines are also at risk of developing mental health issues [3].
In fact, those with a Valium addiction are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder or other trauma-related mental health issues.
When someone suffers from a mental health issue alongside an addiction issue, it is known as a dual diagnosis.
Effective drug and alcohol rehab programmes treat both addiction and mental health issues together, at the same time to improve your recovery chances and reduce the risk of a relapse later down the line.
Aftercare support is a huge part of drug and alcohol rehab. Aftercare support helps people to remain focused on their recovery once drug and alcohol rehab treatment ends.
There are a range of different aftercare support services offered throughout the UK, including ongoing therapy sessions, support groups and supported living accommodation.
Continued aftercare support such as those listed below will reduce the likelihood of relapse later down the line and strengthen your long-term recovery.
Below, we provide answers to common questions around this important topic:
Yes. A benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening if it is not managed correctly. Severe withdrawal symptoms from Valium might include seizures, hallucinations and even potentially psychosis. This is why a detox should never be attempted alone.
As discussed above, a detox timeline can vary significantly depending on the severity of your addiction. Whilst some people complete a detox within just a few weeks, others need a number of weeks or even months to fully detox from Valium and rid the addictive substance from their body.
It is important to understand that a home detox is not generally recommended when it comes to a Valium withdrawal. This is because withdrawal complications can become severe without the right medical supervision.
After your detox, you will likely undergo more treatment in the form of therapy. Therapy helps to address the psychological causes of your addiction and supports your long-term recovery.
Yes. With a professional detox, therapy and aftercare support, many people suffering from a Valium addiction achieve long-term recovery and can go on to lead a healthy and positive life away from addiction.
When an individual suffers from an addiction it is easy to feel isolated and alone. However, it is important to remember that support is available. Seeking professional support for a Valium addiction will improve both your physical and mental wellbeing, while reducing the risks associated to a withdrawal.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team is able to help people to access safe and confidential Valium detox in Birmingham and across the rest of the UK. Whether you require inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab or ongoing aftercare support, there are a number of different treatment options available to help you.
To get the help and support that you need and deserve, call our helpful and friendly team today by calling us on 0800 140 4690 or by searching for us online at www.rehab4addiction.co.uk.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537022/
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2003/feb/02/mentalhealth.drugs
