When someone suffers from an addiction, it’s easy to focus on themselves and become selfish. However, it’s important to understand that a Valium addiction can affect those around them, too.
Likewise, an addiction will impact every aspect of their life, from physical and mental health to relationships, employment and financial stability.
Although Valium is prescribed initially to treat a range of issues including anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia and seizures, abuse of Valium can quickly lead to an addiction.
When this happens, stopping suddenly can be dangerous without professional support.
For many people living in Manchester, entering a professional detox and rehab programme is the safest way to start your addiction recovery.
This is why a medically managed Valium detox will reduce the risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, whilst helping you to move towards long-term recovery from addiction.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of specialist advisers are able to help people across Manchester to get access to safe and effective addiction treatment for Valium and other benzodiazepines.
Whether you need inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, or simply just advice for a loved one, it is important to understand that help is available.
Valium is the brand name for diazepam, which is a type of benzodiazepine medication that slows activity in the brain and the central nervous system.
Doctors might prescribe Valium for a range of different health issues, including anxiety, panic attacks, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, muscle issues, insomnia and seizures [1].
It is important to understand that taking Valium can be highly effective when it is used in the short term.
However, regular use and abusing the substance in any way often results in an increased tolerance, meaning that larger doses are needed to achieve the same effect they once experienced from taking less.
Over time, this can develop into a physical and mental addiction.
Because Valium produces calming and sedative effects, lots of people misuse the drug without even realising that they are at risk of developing an addiction.
It is also important to understand that others become addicted to Valium after using it exactly as prescribed by their doctor or medical professional.
It is important to understand that a Valium addiction occurs when a person becomes unable to stop taking the drug, despite realising the harmful impact it is having on their health and overall life.
It is also important to realise that an addiction does not happen overnight. In fact, it can develop very gradually, especially when Valium has been used for a number of weeks or months.
There are a number of warning signs that someone might be addicted to Valium, including some of those listed below.
Many people struggling with addiction feel ashamed or isolated. However, a benzodiazepine addiction is a recognised medical condition, not a moral failing.
This means that professional rehab treatment is warranted and will help people to recover safely and effectively.
A Valium withdrawal should never be underestimated. This is because a benzodiazepine detox can lead to serious health complications if it is attempted alone without medical support.
According to guidance from NICE, stopping benzodiazepines suddenly can result in severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures which can be life-threatening.
Just like with an alcohol withdrawal, coming off Valium too quickly can be uncomfortable and uneasy, with some of the common withdrawal symptoms listed below [2]:
As you can see, these withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly serious and life-threatening. For this reason, a professional detox is strongly advised for anyone with a moderate or severe benzodiazepine addiction.
Some of these withdrawal symptoms might only last a few days or weeks. However, some people also experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms, often referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS.
It is also important to understand that because withdrawal symptoms can be so unpredictable, a medically supervised detox programme is usually the safest option, so that professionals can keep an eye on you and the status of your condition and overall health.
A Valium detox is designed to help the body slowly adjust to functioning without the use of benzodiazepines. In drug and alcohol rehab clinics throughout Manchester and the rest of the UK, your detox is medically monitored to reduce any discomfort and improve your overall safety.
Many people still feel incredibly anxious about the detox stage, which is why we have explained what you can expect below.
Before your detox starts, medical professionals will carry out a detailed assessment of your overall health and mindset. This could include asking you a number of questions about your physical health, your mental health, the history of your drug use, whether or not you abuse any other substances and whether you have experienced seizures in the past.
This assessment allows medical professionals the opportunity to create a suitable detox plan for you and your specific circumstances. This is why it is important to remain open and honest during your answering, as this will allow for the most suitable treatment.
Once you have been assessed, rather than stopping Valium suddenly, your detox usually involves reducing the dose slowly over time. This slower, more reduction lowers the risk of dangerous health complications and withdrawal symptoms.
How slowly you withdraw from the addictive substance will depend on a number of factors, including how much you currently consume, how long you have been addicted for, whether you suffer from any other addictions and whether or not you have attempted to withdraw in the past.
During your detox, it is important to realise that some people might require a longer and slower detox than others. For this reason, it is important not to compare yourself to others.
During your detox, medical staff will also monitor your withdrawal symptoms regularly. Inpatient rehab clinics often provide 24/7 support throughout the withdrawal process. In some cases, medication might be prescribed to help manage symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and sickness.
When recovering from a highly addictive substance such as Valium, a medical detox alone is rarely enough to overcome an addiction. Without professional therapy and ongoing support, relapsing later down the line becomes much more likely.
Inpatient rehab treatment combines a medical detox with intensive therapy treatment.
This gives people the opportunity to address the underlying, psychological causes of their addiction whilst living in a structured, substance-free environment without any triggers.
People often choose inpatient drug and alcohol rehab because it removes them from triggers and stressful environments that might have caused their addiction in the first place.
When you opt for this type of treatment, you will receive 24/7 around the clock support, a safe medical detox, a structured routine, peer support and aftercare planning.
Many rehab clinics in and around Manchester also offer comfortable rooms and accommodation, nutritional meals and wellbeing activities that will support your recovery and treatment plan.
As discussed above, therapy is an incredibly important part of an individual’s addiction recovery and should not be overlooked. Whilst the medical detox addresses the physical side of your addiction, therapy helps people to better understand the reasons and root causes behind their addiction.
Thankfully, there are now a wide range of therapy techniques offered in most rehab centres across Manchester and the rest of the UK.
This includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as well as family therapy, group therapy, one to one therapy and holistic therapy.
Likewise, if you suffer from a diagnosed mental health condition alongside an addiction, then you will also be offered dual diagnosis treatment.
Many people with a Valium addiction suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder to even trauma related mental health conditions.
Treating your mental health separately to your addiction issues will only ever result in fragmented treatment. Instead, in order to fully recover you will need to have both conditions treated simultaneously, known as dual diagnosis treatment.
Unfortunately, there is not a universal timeframe for a Valium detox. This is because detox and recovery vary depending on the individual and their specific circumstances.
In many cases, people experience mild withdrawal symptoms within just a few hours or days of withdrawing, depending on the severity of their addiction.
For most people, withdrawal symptoms tend to peak during the first two weeks of the detox, with symptoms improving anywhere between 10 – 18 days.
It is important to understand that completing a detox for a Valum addiction is only the beginning of your recovery. Ongoing support helps people to maintain their recovery and avoid a relapse later down the line.
Most rehab clinics across Manchester and the rest of the UK now offer aftercare support. This might include weekly therapy sessions, attending support groups, relapse prevention planning, sober living arrangements and ongoing mental health treatment and support.
Recovering does not stop the second you leave the rehab centre. In fact, many people benefit from continuing therapy for months, or even sometimes years after leaving drug and alcohol rehab.
A Valium addiction can escalate quickly, and it rarely improves without professional support. Over time, an addiction to Valium will become more severe, increasing risks to your physical and mental health [3].
This is why seeking help early is so important. Seeking early treatment could help to prevent overdoing, long-term mental health issues, financial issues, relationship breakdowns and employment loss. Likewise, it is important to understand that the more severe your addiction is, the more severe your withdrawal symptoms will be, putting you at risk of relapsing or simply just giving up [3].
Below, we provide answers to common questions around this important topic:
Yes. A severe and long-term Valium addiction can affect your physical health, your mental health, your relationships and even the wellbeing of those around you. It is also important to remember that a withdrawal from Valum can also become dangerous without professional support.
Attempting detox alone from an addictive substance such as Valium can be incredibly risky, especially after long-term abuse. Sudden withdrawal from the substance might lead to seizures and severe health complications. For this reason, medical supervision within a dedicated rehab centre is strongly recommended.
As discussed above, medical detox timelines vary depending on the severity of the individual’s addiction. Whilst some people tend to complete the detox within a few weeks, others require longer treatment to fully withdraw from the substance.
Inpatient rehab is recommended for people with a severe addiction to Valium, previous relapse attempts, mental health issues or unsafe home environments. Because Valium is so addictive and difficult to withdraw from, attending inpatient detox and rehab treatment for a Valium addiction is always recommended.
After your medical detox, you will likely stay in the rehab facility to undergo therapy treatment. This treatment usually focuses on relapse prevention, mental health support and aftercare planning.
Yes, it is. Valium is simply the brand name for diazepam, a type of benzodiazepine medication that is commonly prescribed to treat a range of conditions such as anxiety.
Yes. A withdrawal from any type of benzodiazepine can cause serious health complications and risks, such as seizures.
This is especially the case when Valium is stopped suddenly, or the withdrawal happens too quickly. This is why a professional detox is strongly advised when it comes to a Valium withdrawal.
Unfortunately, lots of people delay getting treatment to Valium because they fear judgement or simply fear experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
However, it is important to understand that professional detox and rehab clinics throughout Manchester and the rest of the UK understand the complexity of a Valium addiction and withdrawal and can provide safe medical support throughout the detox and recovery process.
Whether you have been taking Valium for months or years, it is important to remember that help is available for you.
For help and support with a Valium addiction in Manchester, speak to our friendly and helpful team by calling us on 0800 140 4690 or by visiting us online by searching for www.rehab4addiction.co.uk.
