Unfortunately, thousands of people up and down the country are suffering from a Valium addiction. Some people develop a Valium addiction slowly, sometimes without even realising that their use has become an issue.
A Valium addiction often begins with a legitimate prescription for a health issue such as anxiety, insomnia or muscle spasms. Over time, the body will gain a tolerance to the substance, meaning that you consume more.
Over time, people are able to easily become dependent on the drug, making it difficult to stop without professional support in the form of a detox or rehab therapy treatment.
It is also important to understand that attempting to quit Valium suddenly can be dangerous, especially after abusing Valium for many years in high amounts.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of specialist advisers are able to help people access safe and effective Valium detox support in Leeds and throughout the rest of the UK.
Whether you have been taking Valium for a couple of weeks, or many years, seeking help early can reduce the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms and improve your long-term recovery and happiness.
This page explains how a Valium detox works, the dangers linked to benzodiazepine withdrawal, and the rehab options that are available to you in Leeds and across the rest of West Yorkshire.
Valium is simply just the brand name for diazepam, which is a type of benzodiazepine medication that is prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks, muscle issues, alcohol withdrawal, seizures and insomnia or other sleep issues [1].
Valium works by slowing activity in the brain and the nervous system. This produces a calming effect which is effective for short-term use, although prolonged use can lead to an increase in tolerance and therefore an addiction [1].
Many people in Leeds who struggle with a Valium addiction start taking the medication exactly as prescribed. However, over time an addiction will take over, meaning that you start to take more and more.
A Valium addiction can affect every area of an individual’s life. An addiction to any addictive substance will impact you physically, psychologically and socially.
Whilst some symptoms might only be subtle at first, others can be more severe over time.
However, for the first few weeks or months, many people do not recognise they have a problem or dependence issue until it has become severe [2].
There are a number of common signs that someone is suffering from a Valium addiction, including some of those listed below for you [2].
Many people also combine Valium with other addictive substances such as alcohol or opioids, which increases the risk of an overdose and other serious health complications.
Once a physical addiction develops, the body adapts to the presence of Valium in the body. This means that stopping taking Valium suddenly can shock the nervous system and trigger severe withdrawal symptoms which need to be managed correctly.
A medically supervised detox helps people to withdraw from Valium gradually and safely.
During the medical detox, healthcare professionals will monitor withdrawal symptoms and might reduce the dose slowly in order to lower the risk of any health complications.
It is important to acknowledge that the detox is often the first stage of rehab treatment. Although a detox addresses the physical side of addiction, the individual’s psychological addiction usually requires ongoing therapy and rehab support.
It is important to acknowledge that a benzodiazepine withdrawal can be extremely dangerous if it is not monitored and treated under professional, medical supervision.
Like with an alcohol withdrawal, stopping Valium suddenly or too quickly can lead to life-threatening health issues, such as seizures.
Withdrawal symptoms can include severe anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, tremors, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, depression or suicidal thoughts. You might also experience nausea and sickness, psychosis or hallucinations.
Some people with a severe addiction to Valium might also experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms lasting weeks or months.
Because of these risks, attempting to detox at home is not recommended. A professional detox in a rehab clinic provides a much safer environment with medical support available around the clock.
If you are undergoing a detox from Valium, then it is important to understand that Valium detox timelines differ from person to person.
Because diazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine, withdrawal symptoms can develop more slowly than compared to shorter-acting drugs.
In general, most people experience early and mild withdrawal symptoms within the first four days of starting their detox and withdrawal.
This could include feelings of depression and anxiety and feeling low energy.
Withdrawal symptoms tend to peak within the first two weeks of detoxing, which will likely include severe anxiety, depression, sickness, hallucinations, insomnia and stomach ache.
People who have abused Valium heavily for many years might require an extended withdrawal and detox programme, lasting a number of weeks or even months.
There are many benefits associated with a professional detox, especially when it comes to a highly addictive substance such as Valium.
During inpatient Valium detox, patients typically receive 24/7 monitoring, withdrawal management, mental health support, medication and constant access to therapists and recovery specialists.
Likewise, one of the biggest advantages when it comes to receiving a Valium detox is that you will be in a structured rehab environment the whole time, which reduces exposure to triggers and access to drugs.
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab is best suited to anyone with a severe addiction. Many people benefit from inpatient rehab following a medical detox.
This is because inpatient, residential rehab provides people with intensive treatment designed to address the underlying causes of addiction, usually mental health issues or trauma.
There are now a number of different therapy techniques and programmes offered throughout Leeds, Yorkshire and the rest of the UK:
Inpatient rehab allows individuals to focus fully on their recovery and treatment without any outside distractions or triggers.
Unfortunately, lots of people who are addicted to Valium also struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder or bipolar disorder [3].
When someone suffers from an addiction and mental health issue at the same time, it is referred to as a dual diagnosis.
Any effective rehab treatment addresses both the addiction and mental health issue at the same time, together. This is far more effective, as treating one condition without the other often increases the risk of a relapse later down the line [3].
Rehab clinics offering dual diagnosis support are able to help people to better understand the relationship between mental health and substance abuse and treat any issues that might be causing an addiction in the first place.
Professional rehab treatment has several important advantages over detoxing at home via a home detox plan.
For example, detoxing in a rehab clinic improves your chances of experiencing a safe and controlled withdrawal. This is because medical supervision reduces the risk of severe complications, including seizures and psychosis.
Likewise, a structured rehab detox programme helps people to build long-term coping skills and habits, rather than simply stopping drug use temporarily. This will likely lead to a relapse once you leave the rehab setting.
Finally, attending therapy means that some of your time will be spent addressing the root causes of your addiction, rather than simply focusing on your physical symptoms.
No, as attempting to detox from Valium at home carries significant risks and could result in life-threatening health conditions.
Without professional medical supervision through inpatient detox services, withdrawal symptoms can easily escalate rapidly and unpredictably.
For example, you will likely experience severe anxiety, hallucinations or seizures if your symptoms are not managed with care and medication.
Many people relapse during a home detox because their withdrawal symptoms become so unbearable. Professional drug and alcohol rehab treatment provides a far safer alternative without wasting your time.
Private rehab clinics offer fast access to treatment without the lengthy waiting lists that come with NHS-funded drug and alcohol rehab services.
There are many benefits to private rehab, including fast admission, private accommodation, specialist medical support and a more comfortable environment.
However, it is important to acknowledge that private drug and alcohol rehab is not accessible to everyone, as it can end up costing thousands of pounds a week to attend.
Unlike private drug and alcohol rehab in Leeds, NHS-funded rehab treatment is entirely free. Some NHS-funded rehab clinics and community drug support provide support for a benzodiazepine addiction, although not all do.
Whilst this form of treatment is entirely free, NHS-funded treatment is hard to come by depending on where you live. Availability will vary depending on your postcode, and waiting times can sometimes delay access to rehab when it is needed most.
Whilst a Valium addiction will have a huge impact on the sufferer, a Valium addiction also affects families and loved ones as well as individuals.
In fact, family members and loved ones might experience a range of issues including stress, anxiety and emotional exhaustion whilst trying to support someone who is struggling with an addiction issue.
Lots of rehab clinics now recognise this, offering family therapy, educational sessions and family support groups.
Having your family support you through your recovery will strengthen your long-term recovery chances, which is why it is important that your loved ones feel well enough to help you to recover.
Below, we provide answers to common questions around this important topic:
Yes, it can be. Any withdrawal from a benzodiazepine can be dangerous if it is attempted without medical supervision.
In some of the most severe cases, stopping Valium suddenly may lead to seizures, hallucinations or psychosis which can be life-threatening.
For this reason, a home detox is not recommended, and it is always recommended to attend inpatient drug and alcohol detox.
It is important to understand that withdrawal timelines vary a lot when it comes to Valium.
How long your withdrawal will last depend on how much you tend to consume, how long you have been addicted to Valium for and your overall health.
Whilst some people’s symptoms improve within just weeks, other people’s psychological symptoms can persist for months after initially detoxing.
After a medical detox, many people continue their recovery journey through rehab therapy treatment involving different therapy techniques, relapse prevention and aftercare support.
Yes, most rehab clinics provide dual diagnosis treatment. This means that they treat mental health issues, such as anxiety, alongside addiction issues. This helps individuals to address any underlying mental health issues simultaneously.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with a Valium addiction, then remember that professional support is available to you and your loved ones.
Likewise, it is important to remember that detoxing from any form of benzodiazepines without medical supervision in the form of a professional detox can be dangerous. This is especially true for anyone suffering from a severe or long term addiction.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of specialists are able to help people across Leeds, Yorkshire and the rest of the UK access Valium detox and rehab services. Our team are able to advise you on suitable treatment options that are right for you and help you take the first steps towards recovery.
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.chelwest.nhs.uk/your-visit/patient-leaflets/medicine-services/diazepam
