Getting sober requires several stages of treatment, and detox is the first one.
Because of this, Valium detox in Glasgow is often an experience that opens doors to people with Valium addiction, by getting rid of the Valium in their system and preparing them for the rest of their recovery.
Sound effective? It is. Addiction isn’t something you want to recover from alone. It takes time, commitment, and professional support.
If that’s what you’re looking for today, please get in touch with us on 0800 140 4690.
Valium (diazepam) dependence usually begins gradually. For lots of people in Glasgow, the realisation that they’re dependent on the drug comes as a shock.
It may only become clear when they attempt to withdraw from Valium, and realise they can no longer choose to stop.
Dependence can happen regardless of how the Valium use started.
Some people start taking the drug for health reasons. They may be prescribed Valium to treat things like panic attacks, anxiety, twitches, muscle spasms or seizures.
Even if they intended to use Valium to ease their legitimate symptoms, the feeling of post-Valium relaxation can become addictive, and they may end up taking more Valium than was prescribed, using someone else’s prescription, mixing Valium with alcohol/other drugs, or taking it for longer than their doctor advised.
One study has suggested that most people using benzodiazepines may not even be aware of the precautions they should be taking. 76.2% of respondents in this US study stated they hadn’t been informed that benzodiazepines were indicated for short-term use only, and that there could be challenges with discontinuation (1).
Others turn to Valium to cope with stress or trauma, even though they haven’t had it prescribed. They may have heard of the calming effects of Valium, and either be unaware or apathetic about the dangerous effects of the drug, such as dependence.
Valium isn’t an inherently “bad” drug. It has its uses for things like anxiety, and can be just the right treatment for people who are suffering from panic attacks or insomnia.
However, just like any addictive drug, it should only be used in these contexts. Even then, it always carries a risk of dependence or addiction.
That’s why many drug and alcohol rehabs in Glasgow are trained in Valium addiction, and regularly provide treatment to people who have become reliant on diazepam and other benzodiazepines.
All benzodiazepine withdrawals can be medically dangerous. Valium is no exception.
Coming off Valium alone can trigger serious withdrawal symptoms, or even Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, which is a dangerous form of withdrawal that is life-threatening.
It happens in up to 15% of people who withdraw from a benzodiazepine like Valium (1).
Some severe withdrawal symptoms are:
These symptoms are much less likely to occur, or become fatal, if the client is detoxing using the tapering method.
This is when doctors slowly reduce the amount of diazepam in the client’s system, taking care to monitor withdrawal symptoms whilst they do this.
Cold turkey detoxing from Valium is strongly linked to Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome. Even some of the moderate symptoms can become highly dangerous without medical intervention and supervision.
Lots of aspects of a person’s lifestyle, behaviours or emotions can indicate they might be struggling with Valium dependence or addiction.
Yet, it isn’t always easy to spot, especially as people often hide their substance use issues from others, and may want to appear healthier or happier than they really are.
Common signs of dependence include:
Detoxing from Valium in Glasgow usually takes a few weeks in total. This covers early withdrawal, peak withdrawal, and protracted withdrawal.
During this time, withdrawal symptoms are monitored, and doctors step in if they need to prescribe medication or attend to an emergency.
Early withdrawal: the first withdrawal symptoms appear
Peak withdrawal: withdrawal symptoms reach their most intense point
Protracted withdrawal: ongoing withdrawal symptoms, e.g., sleep issues or anxiety
Before early withdrawal, the client will be assessed to determine their medical history and needs.
This means that no medication is given unless it’s safe to do so. It also means medical professionals can provide the right kind of emotional support to the client.
In the late stages of detoxing in Glasgow, this type of support continues.
There will be an aftercare plan that states what happens post-detox, according to what the client has requested.
This may be a full treatment programme including therapy or ongoing support from the provider.
Withdrawal timelines differ because each client has had a different addiction experience, and has a different body that responds to detoxing in its own way.
Timelines can be affected by:
Often, people report feeling worse before they feel better. It’s a case of adjusting to life without Valium, which is tough on both the mind and body.
Persistent withdrawal symptoms can make your situation feel more dire than it really is.
For example, if you’re getting strong rebound anxiety, it can cause you to catastrophise your progress, when you’re in fact progressing normally and healthily.
Below, we outline the Valium detox options in Glasgow:
Inpatient rehab is the most commonly recommended place for detoxing in Glasgow. It may seem like the most intimidating, but the intense approach of residential rehab often pays off.
Benefits: Structured treatment, privacy, distance from triggers, community spirit, possibility of a full 28-day treatment plan.
Drawbacks: Requires a high level of commitment, not suitable for everyone.
Recovering at outpatient Valium rehab means getting a high level of professional support without giving up nights in your own bed.
Benefits: Structured yet flexible, availability of treatment providers, cheaper than inpatient rehab.
Drawbacks: Less support than inpatient rehab, more room for relapse.
Did you know you could detox from Valium at home? Some treatment providers offer home detoxing in Glasgow.
They educate you on the detox, send you the medication, and let you withdraw independently, unless you experience any problems.
Benefits: Comfort, convenience, independence, flexibility.
Drawbacks: Higher relapse risk, less support, no further treatment (e.g., therapy).
If it’s possible for you to go to inpatient rehab, that’s the option that will keep your relapse risk as low as possible.
However, this type of treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it can be risky for people with severe mental health issues or a history of frequent relapse.
Rehab4Addiction advisors can support you in choosing the best detox route.
We’ll introduce questions to help you decide, such as:
Why is Valium addiction so prevalent in people with mental health challenges?
Well, if we zoom out, we can see that any addiction is more common in people with a mental health diagnosis.
In case you didn’t know, Substance Use Disorder is a type of mental health condition, listed in the DSM-5.
Having one condition makes it much more likely that someone is going to struggle with their mental health in another way.
Mental health conditions that are commonly linked to addiction include:
Someone who struggles with one or more of these conditions is more vulnerable to Valium addiction because:
Valium can seem like a great solution for this anxiety, trauma or stress. If it’s misused, it’s far from a great solution, and it can cause damage that lasts for many years.
Mental health conditions require professional treatment, such as therapy and suitable medication.
Self-medication may provide temporary relief, but it doesn’t get to the root of the problem, and it significantly increases your chances of developing an addiction.
There’s no obligation to get mental health support after detoxing, but we couldn’t recommend it more.
Patients who detox and then go back to their normal lifestyle have a much harder time staying in recovery.
If you get mental health support, you can learn healthy coping mechanisms, improve your relationships, stay motivated and learn to identify your triggers.
These skills are what you’ll come to rely on when you feel tempted to use Valium again.
When we say “when”, we don’t mean to be negative. We want to normalise temptation.
It’s an expected feeling when you’re recovering from addiction, and if you react to it calmly and strategically, you can absolutely stay sober. Particularly if you’re getting adequate mental health support!
So, what does this mental health support look like?
Let’s look at the example of a 28-day treatment programme at residential rehab in Glasgow.
Mental health support may include:
Sound overwhelming? Don’t worry, you won’t be working your way through every type of therapy invented.
Instead, you’ll get to experience some different models, and settle on which ones are the most successful for you.
Some support types, like group therapy, are more fixed than others.
Rehab clients in Glasgow are expected to take part in group therapy unless there is a valid reason to opt out (such as severe mental health problems).
This helps keep a particular structure to each day, which is very beneficial for people who are leaving behind an old lifestyle and trying to adopt a new one.
We’re trained to understand your needs and find the right solution.
Whether it’s inpatient detox, outpatient detox, home detox or a full treatment programme, we help you progress quickly into addiction treatment (or simply present your options!)
Call us for a quick chat whenever you’re ready on 0800 140 4690.
Below, we outline answers to common questions about Valium detox:
Yes, there are many different private detox clinics in Glasgow. It’s much more common for people to go the private route, as you can get a place at rehab very quickly.
The cost of private rehab is something to consider, but there are a range of prices out there depending on which treatment centre you choose.
Yes, anxiety can return after detoxing. While detoxing generally lowers anxiety, there’s no guarantee that you will be anxiety-free following this stage.
Particularly considering the early stages of recovery are so taxing on the mind and body, and can make it difficult to regulate your emotions.
We highly recommend choosing a comprehensive treatment programme so that you can get support with any anxiety as you go through the initial stages of sobriety.
Most rehab facilities provide aftercare plans that are highly personalised, meaning you can even get help with your anxiety for 12 months after your stay at rehab.
Medication is regularly used in Valium detoxing as it helps manage symptoms. For example, certain medications can lower anxiety, which keeps the patient calm as they undergo a stressful experience.
Not all detoxes in Glasgow involve medication. Sometimes it’s not needed, as the patient’s condition is stable and their withdrawal symptoms are minor or under control.
However, you should anticipate that you may be prescribed medication, as it’s very common.
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9047812/
[2] https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/benzodiazepine-z-drug-withdrawal/background-information/prognosis/
