When most people think of an addiction, they might imagine someone who has been suffering from obvious addiction and mental health issues for many years.
However, it is important to understand that a Valium addiction can develop gradually without many people even realising it.
In fact, many people start taking Valium for legitimate reasons. This includes anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, or even panic attacks.
However, over time, an addiction can occur, even when the medication is taken exactly as prescribed as your doctor. Once a tolerance develops, stopping suddenly can be incredibly dangerous without the right medical support.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of addiction and recovery specialists are able to help people access safe and effective Valium detox services in Liverpool and throughout the rest of the UK.
Whether you have been taking Valium for just a few months or for many years, addiction treatment, including a detox can significantly reduce the risks linked to a Valium or benzodiazepine withdrawal and improve your chances of long-term addiction recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling with Valium addiction, then seeking professional detox and rehab treatment in Liverpool or throughout the rest of the UK could be the first step towards your recovery.
Valium is the brand name for diazepam, which is a type of benzodiazepine that is commonly prescribed across the UK. In fact, many doctors prescribe
Valium to help with anxiety, panic attacks, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, muscle issues, sleep issues and even seizures [1].
Valium works by slowing down the individual’s activity in the brain and their nervous system, which creates a calming effect for the individual.
Whilst Valium can be great for the individual in the short term, abusing Valium for many months or even many years can lead to an increase in tolerance, and eventually an addiction.
Because Valium affects the central nervous system, withdrawal from Valium can be severe when someone attempts to stop taking it too quickly and without any medical support.
It is important to understand that a Valium addiction often develops slowly over time. Some people begin taking higher doses than prescribed by their doctor or continue to use the medication more than their doctor recommends.
Other people tend to abuse Valium recreationally for fun, or they start to combine it with other addictive substances, such as alcohol or opioids to increase their sedative effects to help to put them at ease.
However, as with any addictive substance, the brain and the body becomes reliant on the substance to function normally.
When this happens, people’s tolerances increase, meaning that they have to consume more of the addictive substance to feel its effect.
This increase in tolerance can make it increasingly difficult to stop without experiencing rather unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
There are a number of signs that someone is suffering from a Valium addiction. Because a Valium addiction tends to happen slowly, it is sometimes difficult for people to recognise when someone is suffering.
However, some of the most common signs are listed below for you:
As you can see, an addiction can affect every aspect of your life, including your physical health, your relationships, your work and employment as well as your mental wellbeing.
Thankfully, there are a number of professional detox and rehab treatment options in Liverpool and the rest of the UK that can help you to break the cycle.
No, detoxing from Valium alone without any medical support is dangerous and should not be attempted. In fact, any type of benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous.
Unlike with some addictive substances, stopping Valium abruptly can lead to some serious health issues and complications, including potential seizures during your withdrawal.
According to guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, a benzodiazepine withdrawal should always involve a gradual withdrawal under professional medical supervision.
There are a number of potential complications when it comes to withdrawing from Valium too quickly, which could include seizures, severe anxiety, panic attacks, psychosis, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and extreme insomnia.
Because of these risks, detoxing from Valium at home without medical guidance and medication is strongly discouraged.
A medically managed detox plan in Liverpool will reduce your withdrawal symptoms, provide you with around the clock monitoring and emotional support throughout the entire detox and rehab process.
There are a number of common withdrawal symptoms often experienced during a professional detox and withdrawal from Valium.
This includes tremors, excessive sweating, nausea, headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound as well as heart issues. Likewise, people commonly experience anxiety, depression, panic attacks, mood swings and insomnia [2].
Whilst these withdrawal symptoms are common, not everyone will experience the same symptoms.
In fact, how severe your withdrawal symptoms are will depend on a number of different factors, including how long you have been addicted to Valium for, how much you tend to take, whether you suffer from other addictive substances and whether you have any mental health issues.
Likewise, your overall physical health will have a huge impact on how severe your symptoms are [2].
It is also important to understand that some people also experience rebound withdrawal symptoms.
This is where the original health issue you started taking Valium for comes back during your Valium withdrawal, only it tends to come back more intensely.
This is why it is incredibly important to detox in a professional and safe environment, so that you are not tempted to relapse.
In some severe cases, people are prescribed different medication during their withdrawal to help to cope with any withdrawal symptoms.
Unlike other addictive substances, Valium actually has a relatively long half-life. This is even compared to other benzodiazepines, which tend to have shorter half-lives.
This means that withdrawal symptoms can emerge more slowly when it comes to a Valium detox.
In many cases, withdrawal symptoms can begin within several days of stopping use. The peak of the withdrawal symptoms will start between two and eight weeks, with symptoms tailing off after two months. However, some people do report psychological symptoms for months afterwards.
It is important to understand that every detox programme differs depending on the individual’s needs and their specific addiction.
Some people require slower withdrawals over a longer period of time to minimise any potential health risks or complications.
Whilst a medical detox addresses the individual’s physical addiction, an addiction also involves psychological and behavioural issues.
This is why a drug and alcohol rehab treatment needs to include therapy to help individuals to better understand the root causes of their addiction and to develop healthier coping strategies.
Attending drug and alcohol rehab after a Valium detox in Liverpool can reduce the risk of a relapse later down the line and will improve your physical and mental health in the long run.
Most rehab programmes include a number of different evidenced-based therapy techniques including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as well as group therapy, one to one therapy, motivational interviewing and family therapy.
These types of therapy techniques can help individuals to identify their triggers, manage any stress and rebuild their confidence during their recovery.
A big part of rehab therapy will include relapse prevention planning and aftercare, which will help you to avoid triggers and relapsing once you leave the rehab setting.
Valium is often abused alongside other addictive substances, particularly alcohol and opioids. However, this combination of addictive substances will significantly increase the risk of an overdose and or other issues such as depression or anxiety [3].
Combining Valium with alcohol in particular can lead to blackouts, accidents, breathing issues, loss of consciousness and increased risk of overdosing.
Abusing numerous different types of drugs at once is called polydrug use. Polydrug addiction can also complicate detox, withdrawal and recovery. This is why it is incredibly important to attend professional detox and rehab support, especially if you are addicted to a number of different substances [3].
As discussed above, Valium is commonly prescribed for anxiety and other conditions such as insomnia. This means that many people entering a detox programme have already experienced underlying mental health issues.
Unfortunately, when people abuse Valium for long periods of time, it can sometimes worsen anxiety, particularly when a tolerance develops. Suffering from a mental health issue alongside an addiction issue is known as a dual diagnosis, which can make recovery more challenging.
This is why attending drug and alcohol therapy is crucial when it comes to your long term recovery, as mental health issues are often one of the leading causes of a relapse.
It is important to understand that a Valium addiction affects not only the individual but also their loved ones, too.
In fact, people close to the individual suffering from an addiction, including families, often experience a number of mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, financial difficulties and general emotional strain.
Many drug and alcohol rehab programmes across Liverpool and the rest of the UK offer support for family and friends, including offering family therapy, educational workshops and one to one therapy.
It is incredibly important to understand that family support and involvement can improve communication and help people to recover. However, the emotional strain and pressure this will likely have on them should not be overlooked.
It is important to understand that once your detox is complete, you will still need to continue your recovery journey.
This is because long-term addiction recovery is an ongoing process. Aftercare support helps individuals to maintain their recovery progress once detox and rehab treatment is complete.
There are now a range of aftercare and support services, including weekly therapy, peer support groups, relapse prevention plans and supported living.
Ongoing support can help individuals to remain motivated after they leave the rehab setting and reduce the likelihood of a relapse later down the line.
Below, we provide answers to common questions around this important topic:
Yes. It is important to understand that a benzodiazepine withdrawal and detox can be dangerous, especially when someone stops suddenly after abusing it for a number of months or even years.
There are a number of risks associated with a sudden withdrawal from Valium, including seizures, psychosis and severe anxiety. This is why medical supervision is often recommended.
As discussed above, withdrawal timelines vary significantly depending on how much you take, how often you take it and the condition of your overall health. Your withdrawal symptoms can last several weeks, although psychological symptoms can sometimes continue for a lot longer.
No. Attempting to detox from Valium alone at home is not recommended due to the risks linked to a benzodiazepine withdrawal. This is why a medically supervised detox programme is always recommended.
Most types of rehab treatment include a detox, therapy and finally relapse prevention planning. Once you leave, you will receive aftercare support which aims to continue to address both the physical addiction and the psychological addiction and symptoms caused by your addiction.
Yes. It is important to understand that treatment is possible. Many people recover from Valium addiction with the help of a professional detox, rehab treatment, therapy and ongoing support.
If you are worried about yourself or someone you know, then it may be time to seek professional help. Even if you are not sure if there is a problem severe enough to require rehab treatment, it is always important to check.
If you or someone you know struggles to stop taking Valium, experiences withdrawal symptoms and believes their tolerance has increased, then you will likely need a detox and therapy in order to recover from your addiction or moderation issues.
Seeking help early on will also prevent your addiction from becoming more severe, reduce any health risks and make your recovery more simple and straightforward.
If you live in Liverpool and need support with a Valium addiction, then it is important to remember that help is available. Our team at Rehab 4 Addiction is on hand to offer you help, support and advice on how to get treatment that is right for you and your specific addiction.
To talk to our friendly and helpful team, call us for free on 0800 140 4690 or by searching for us online at www.rehab4addiction.co.uk.
