Valium Withdrawal and Detox
Valium, the brand name for the drug diazepam, is part of the Benzodiapezines family of prescription drugs that are used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Valium can also be prescribed to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms or opiate addiction. However, the over-the-counter medication is often misused. The drug calms the body’s nervous system, with a relaxed and peaceful feeling that can become addictive.
Sometimes, once a prescription ends or people attempt to stop taking Valium, they inadvertently initiate detox and can experience withdrawal symptoms.People dealing with Valium dependency and who are planning to detox from the drug should do so in a reputable rehabilitation program with doctors and nurses providing constant attention and care. By starting the recovery process at a rehabilitation facility, the person seeking treatment is less likely to experience a relapse, once the withdrawal symptoms set in. Deciding to seek proper medical treatment is the important, first step to take toward a happy and healthy life.
Table of Contents
Once toxins such as Valium enter the body, the removal process begins because the body attempts to expel harmful substances as quickly as possible. This rapid expulsion is why withdrawal symptoms can occur within hours of the last dosage.
As the effects of Valium wear off, people can experience some of the physical withdrawal symptoms because the body is no longer accustomed to operating without Valium in the system. Withdrawal symptoms can vary in the length of time that they are experienced and can last for weeks or months. Since some withdrawal symptoms can have deadly side effects, attempting to detox without proper medical supervision is dangerous. Seeking help from a team of medical professionals is one of the safest ways to endure Valium withdrawal symptoms.
The detoxification process can be one of the most challenging parts of Valium rehabilitation. The physical symptoms associated with this part of the process can make people think that attempting rehab isn’t worth it. At The Recovery Village, trained medical professionals help mitigate clients’ discomfort. Without this professional help, the detox process may feel overly difficult, in part due to the physical symptoms commonly associated with withdrawal:
- Impaired vision
- Numbness
- Tremors
- Intense stomach pain
- Sweating
- High blood pressure
- Intestinal and digestive problems
- Insomnia
- Seizures
During detox, physical symptoms and psychological symptoms can occur simultaneously. Consistently misusing Valium can also create a psychological dependence on the drug. Anxiety and panic attacks can be more extreme than usual since the body’s nervous system relied on Valium for its calming effect. Some of the most common psychological withdrawal symptoms during Valium detox include:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Psychosis
Valium is one of the most commonly prescribed medications given to people in the United States. For people with severe anxiety disorders or panic attacks, a large dosage of Valium may be necessary for proper treatment. However, the larger the dosage of Valium, the more likely that people could build a physical dependence. It’s important to take Valium only as prescribed by a doctor, and not as part of self-medication.
As people continue to take Valium, either consistently, over a long period of time, or in high doses, a tolerance can develop. Over time, a larger dosage is needed to achieve the same effects and people can develop a dependence for Valium. People suffering from Valium addiction often build a dependence for the drug through misuse regardless of whether it was being used with or without a doctor’s prescription. However, there are some people who reported that they experienced addiction symptoms just from taking the drug exactly as it was prescribed.
If a person attempts to remove Valium from their daily life, it can lead to withdrawal and uncomfortable symptoms, which can be challenging to overcome without the help of medical professionals. People who misused Valium and suffer from a substance use disorder are recommended to enroll in a reputable rehabilitation program. For individuals curious about taking steps toward treating their substance use disorder, they can call The Recovery Village today and speak to a representative about treatment options.
There isn’t a clear-cut answer regarding how long Valium withdrawal lasts. For some people, physical symptoms can begin within hours of the last dosage and last just a few days. For other people, the symptoms can last for weeks.
There are factors that can affect how long a person experiences withdrawal symptoms, such as how recent a person last misused Valium, and another is how big of a dosage they took. Other aspects to consider include:
- Age
- Height and weight
- Personal medical history
- Family history of drug misuse
- The detox method being used during withdrawal
- Whether any medications or replacement drugs are used during detox
Dealing with substance misuse is a lifelong struggle for many people. Whether it’s Valium or another drug, it’s important to begin the recovery process with a strong foundation. Being reinforced with a strong foundation increases the chances of long-term success and recovery.
The Recovery Village provides a full continuum of care for people in need of Valium withdrawal treatment. This care can be for anyone who needs help, whether they are suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms or are desperate to remove Valium from their lives but don’t know where to start. At The Recovery Village, doctors and nurses provide medical care to keep clients as comfortable as possible. While withdrawal symptoms can surface during rehabilitation, coping with the symptoms is far safer and comfortable while under the care of medical professionals.
There are many ways to treat Valium withdrawal. One way involves reducing drug doses slowly. Another way is by quitting “cold turkey.” Many experts believe that tapering is more effective and safer than the cold turkey method, which requires the sudden discontinuation of dosages. Other treatment methods include replacement medications and symptom-stopping drugs which are used to help mitigate severe withdrawal side effects.
Inpatient withdrawal treatment usually involves clients staying at a rehabilitation facility 24 hours a day and undergoing individual and group therapy sessions. The therapy helps to uncover the roots of their addiction to Valium or other dangerous substances.
This rehabilitation stage usually occurs after detoxification, which generally lasts from one week to two weeks. However, each person’s detoxification window is different and some people might require longer or shorter detox periods. Once detoxification is complete and the body removes the final toxins, inpatient rehabilitation is often the next step. During inpatient rehabilitation, clients learn essential skills that can be used to better cope with their substance use disorder and potentially uncover any co-occurring disorders, such as mental health issues. Since Valium commonly treats these types of diseases, people suffering from addiction to this drug often will receive a dual-diagnosis and treatment for both.
Withdrawal symptoms can often continue into the inpatient rehab stage, although they can be less severe than during the original detox phase. Psychological symptoms and cravings for the drug often persist, but clients receive 24-hour medical supervision to help endure these symptoms.
Outpatient withdrawal treatment often occurs toward the end of the rehabilitation process. While addiction is a lifelong disease and people suffering from it must remain dedicated to their recovery, a flexible treatment program can greatly aid them in their recovery.
After a successful inpatient rehab experience, clients often transition to the outpatient phase, which allows the clients to have more independence. The clients can maintain personal responsibilities such as going to work work, caring for family members, or going to school while they continue treatment in a group or individual settings. Medications may continue to be used to mitigate discomfort if the client still experiences withdrawal symptoms, although the need for such medications is rare at this stage in the recovery process.
The detoxification from Valium is the body’s natural removal of the drug’s toxins. During detoxification, people can experience a range of physical symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting, as their body expels the toxins. This is a necessary process for people suffering from drug addiction and who are hoping to begin their recovery. However, detoxification can be difficult due to withdrawal, which leaves people feeling ill when their body struggles to deal with the absence of the drug that it has become used to.
There are many locations where people may attempt to detox from Valium. Some people elect an at-home detox experience, which either includes the “cold turkey” approach or self-administering medications. Either of these at-home methods can be dangerous; cold turkey requires facing the full severity of withdrawal symptoms without any mitigating medications, and self-administering can lead to an overdose or addiction to other drugs. Working with an accredited detoxification center and having an experienced medical staff manage the process is vital to a person’s well being and to the chances of long-term success.
The first step of treating Valium addiction is to seek out a detoxification center that operates a qualified medical rehabilitation program. There are many options available in each state, so finding one that fits specific needs is possible.
Once someone enrolls in a detox program, experts meet with them to assess the level of treatment needed. If a person suffers from a severe Valium addiction, they may need medications to block or reduce the side effects of withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the dosage amount prior to starting detoxification, doctors and nurses may slowly reduce Valium doses. This detox method is called “tapering off” and avoids the extreme discomfort that could come from quitting an addiction cold turkey. Once most of the withdrawal symptoms subside, clients can move to either residential rehab or the partial hospitalization program, depending on the level of treatment that they need. Most importantly, a proper detoxification program, is an integral stepto the recovery process.
Detoxification is the first step toward treating Valium addiction.. The Recovery Village has detox centers available 24 hours a day, where clients receive the treatment and support that they need to help build a healthy lifestyle for themselves. The Recovery Village’s online database can be used to search for treatment resources that are available in each state. With this tool, individuals can find a medical detoxification center near them with just a few clicks.
Valium addiction is dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible, but trying to find proper treatment can be a stressful task all on its own. With that in mind, The Recovery Village is available right now to help you begin the recovery process. An associate is available 24 hours a day and can help you map out your plan for recovery. Call today if you are struggling with Valium addiction and need assistance with starting your recovery.