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Valium Addiction Treatment

What is Valium?

Valium is a brand name for the prescription medication Diazepam and is part of the benzodiazepine class of drugs. Valium is primarily used to treat anxiety, seizures and to aid in the process of alcohol withdrawal. Some people also use it as a muscle relaxant, a sedative, or an anticonvulsant.

Valium (diazepam) can also relieve muscle spasms and provide sedation before medical procedures. The medication produces a feeling of relaxation and calmness by increasing the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain. Valium also acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. The calming effects of Valium place individuals who consume it at high risk for developing a valium addiction.

Whether taken as prescribed or abused, long-term use of Valium can result in physical dependence and psychological dependence. The physical dependence results from building a tolerance, fueling the desire for more substance to experience the same effect over time. Valium addiction is a major medical disorder, and drug addiction rehab has successfully treated the condition.

Learn More About Valium Addiction

When people start taking prescription drugs, they don’t expect to get addicted to these substances more often than less. However, when it comes to benzodiazepines like Valium, the medication itself fosters a carefree mental state. Not to mention, it’s remarkably effective at keeping struggles like anxiety and seizures at bay. However, it’s precisely these characteristics that make Valium so dangerous.

Risks of Valium abuse

Because Valium is a long-acting benzodiazepine, it’s formulated to stay in the body much longer than other shorter-acting benzos. Ideally, the long-lasting nature of Valium means patients can take fewer doses per day and reduce their likelihood of becoming dependent. When Valium is used in conjunction with other depressants, the sedative effects of the substances increase significantly, placing an individual at alarmingly high risk of overdose, respiratory depression, and death. It seems crazy to believe that a highly addictive drug like Valium is still legal in the United States. Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies Valium as a Schedule IV narcotic, which means it’s less addictive than other substances like heroin or methamphetamine.

Signs of Valium addiction

Once someone develops a Valium addiction, frequent behavioral and psychological changes may include the following: increased anxiety, restlessness, irritability, depression, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, irrational or disorganized thinking, and memory problems.

Also, they will appear preoccupied with obtaining Valium at any cost, regardless of potential consequences. Once a user has a tolerance to the effect of Valium, they are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if they discontinue taking it. The withdrawal of Valium can be dangerous and painful if done without the assistance of appropriate medical supervision.

Anti-anxiety medications like Xanax and Valium or hypnotics like Ambien help treat anxiety and sleeping disorders but are also highly addictive.

Drowsiness
Confusion
Unsteady walking
Slurred speech
Poor concentration
Dizziness
Memory problems
Slowed breathing

What happens when someone uses Valium

An individual that has taken Valium will begin to experience the effects within 30 minutes and can experience those effects for the next several hours. At low doses, Valium may cause confusion, impaired motor skills, and drowsiness. At higher doses, the results of Valium are quite like those of alcohol intoxication. Suppose someone is using Valium in large amounts. In that case, they may display the following symptoms: poor judgment, slurred speech, disorientation, double vision, dry mouth, tremors, nausea or vomiting, painful or difficult urination, loss of appetite, muscle spasms, memory issues, and seizures. Long-term use of Valium may result in an increased risk for dementia and other brain disorders.

Valium effects and withdrawal symptoms

The length of time that Valium remains in your system is dependent on a variety of factors based on the individual, the amount, and the duration of time used. Valium can be detected in blood samples up to 48 hours after the last use, in urine samples for up to six weeks, saliva tests for up to 10 days, and in hair follicle tests for up to 90 days. Dependency and addiction are perhaps the worst side effects of Valium. Once the central nervous system and the brain become dependent on the substance, it can take about six months to turn into an addiction. When someone tries to quit Valium without supervision, it can result in severe physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Even those who use low doses of the medication can still experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Valium withdrawal varies significantly based on individual factors (age, height, weight) and the length of time and amount of Valium used; however, the initial withdrawal process can take approximately 10 to 14 days. Common physical symptoms of Valium withdrawal may include tremors, intense stomach pain, sweating, high blood pressure, impaired vision, numbness, intestinal and digestive problems, insomnia, and seizures. Common psychological symptoms may include increased anxiety, agitation, depression, hallucinations, and psychosis. It is imperative that someone who has developed a Valium addiction not attempt to withdraw on their own without seeking medical care due to potentially fatal symptoms requiring appropriate medical supervision, such as a high chance of seizures.

Understanding the Valium Addiction Treatment Plan

While everyone’s treatment plan will differ to some extent, at Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we offer comprehensive rehab programs that provide the support recovering addicts need to find long-lasting recovery.

At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we treat addiction with individual and group therapy, combined with medical and holistic approaches, working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team and managing the individual.

Patients can address core issues with their therapist, build support networks with peers, discuss medical conditions with our staff doctor, and work with our staff psychiatrist to treat any mental health conditions and identify an effective medication regimen.

Often, addressing mental health conditions like anxiety with therapy and non-addictive medications is vital for a successful recovery from dependence on Valium or other benzodiazepine medications, especially for individuals who developed an addiction due to prescription medications.

Medical Detox

Cutting Valium cold turkey can be life-threatening, so most people start with a partial hospitalization program (PHP) in conjunction with Valium detox programs to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.

It’s paramount to speak with an addiction treatment specialist to determine the best way to start seeking help for Valium addiction.

A clinically supervised detox process held in addiction treatment centers ensures the patient’s safety and makes the withdrawal phase as comfortable as possible.

Inpatient Treatment

After detox, most patients will move to an inpatient treatment program that offers structure and support 24/7. Others, mostly those with less severe addictions, might be able to choose an intensive outpatient program that provides more flexibility so that they can continue daily responsibilities like work, school, and family.

Outpatient Treatment

Even after completing inpatient rehab, an outpatient treatment program can help people addicted to valium continue their recovery journey. Here, the patient focus on attending support group meetings and restoring relationships with strained family members. Part of substance abuse treatment is to help patients become self-sufficient once they leave the treatment facility. So, behavioral health therapies targeted to prevent relapse and teach coping skills are often crucial for anyone seeking addiction treatment.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

To help patients recover from valium addiction and co-occurring disorders, we offer medication management. Our experienced, compassionate psychiatric and medical staff works together with patients to develop a medication regimen to help manage cravings, issues like anxiety and depression, and general medical concerns to ensure a full recovery and regain optimal health.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Many individuals who abuse Valium suffer from an underlying or co-occurring disorder, such as anxiety, which causes them to abuse substances to self-medicate. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we treat both the Valium addiction and any co-occurring issues with a combination of therapy, medication, and life skills training.

Talk to an Admission Specialist

At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we want our patients to feel comfortable in their environment to remain focused on what is truly important, their recovery. We’re here to answer any questions you might have about the risks of drug abuse and to learn more about alcohol or drugs addiction treatment.

South Florida Valium Rehab Center

During treatment at our Valium addiction treatment center, patients meet with therapists weekly for individual sessions and engage in anywhere from 9-25 hours of intensive group therapy.

Individuals will integrate coping skills, relapse prevention tactics, emotional regulation exercises, and life skills, alongside addressing any underlying issues contributing to their addiction, such as trauma resolution, family and relationship issues, and more.

They will begin to learn why they started their Valium addiction and how to have a life of recovery. Call now and take the first step towards changing your life.

Does Insurance Cover Valium Addiction Treatment?

Insurance plans often cover the cost of Valium addiction treatment. The coverage offered by each insurance plan differs based on their specific criteria; however, most insurance plans include the price of a majority of all the expenses of valium drug rehab. For individuals without insurance seeking Valium addiction treatment, we offer flexible self-pay plans. If you are considering entering Valium addiction treatment and are looking to obtain thorough information about your insurance and payment options, call our trained and compassionate staff today.

We are here to support you during your time of need and help you make the best decision for yourself or your loved one. Click below to speak to a member of our staff directly.

Light House

Recovery Institute

(866) 308-2090