A letter to the editor, published in the British Medical Journal in 1967, neatly encapsulates this time period.1 Here, the author discusses the case of a 23-year-old woman who was provided with a 5-mg dose of Valium, and who began taking a 60-mg dose in time. When she attempted to stop taking the drugs, she developed terrible symptoms of withdrawal, and they lasted for many days. The doctor suggests that perhaps the drugs are addicting, and perhaps people might need help in order to stop abusing this drug.
In 1967, this might have been remarkable news that was hard to accept. Now, most people agree that taking high levels of Valium over a long period of time can be dangerous, and people who do so might need the help of a structured Valium rehab program in order to recover.
Valium and the Brain
Valium is a benzodiazepine medication, designed to slow down electrical activity in the brain. By affecting chemicals in the brain, Valium can provide the person with a sense of focus and peace. Benzodiazepines can be very important tools in the fight against anxiety, but they can also be quite addictive. Tolerance can develop very quickly and lead to addiction.
People who are addicted will continue to take thesubstances, even when they know that the drugs will do them harm. Their use is compulsive, and they are also likely seeking to avoid extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. They come to believe that they cannot live without the drug or awful things will happen.
Breaking the cycle means allowing a slow taper from Valium. The withdrawal process should always be done gradually and administered by medical professionals in a safe environment. By taking less and less of the drug in a controlled manner, the patient is more likely to avoid withdrawal symptoms like the following:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea
Tapering like this can be disappointing for people who want to take an abrupt stand against an addiction.. It’s important to remember that an abrupt withdrawal from benzodiazepines like Valium can cause seizures, so a slow taper isn’t done for amusement — it’s done to preserve the person’s life.
As the tapering dosage continues, people who have been abusing Valium for years find that their senses are awakened.For example, one former Valium addict told The Times, “Gradually, I noticed how colors were more vivid: my world had been black and white on more than one level; and I could feel again.”2 However, the new feelings of awareness may not all be pleasant. Some people come to remember other addictions, abuse or mental health problems that led to Valium abuse initially. In order to avoid relapse, a Valium rehab is the best option for optimal withdrawal and recovery.
Types of Treatment
Many people who are addicted to Valium are also addicted to other substances like opioids and alcohol. Others may be addicted to Valium from trying to self-medicate a mental health disorder. People who have additional diagnoses especially need the added attentional and specialization of rehab. After the initial detox phase, each patient should receive individualized care to address all heath concerns and diagnoses in concert rather than simply treating the Valium addiction. It is important to choose a facility that specializes in Dual Diagnosis treatment in order to give the best possibilities for long-term health and sobriety.
Denis L suffered from alcohol and Valium addiction while also battling undiagnosed mental health disorders. He found hope in treatment and continues to fight for a healthy life today.“Recovery is a lot to take in,” he says, “but I will admit has great joys in the early days even though there is a fog over your thoughts. The first time you laugh while completely sober in a rehab center is something you will never forget!” By continuing to pursue therapy for his mental health disorders, he is also managing his sobriety from Valium. Read more of Denis’ Heroes In Recovery story here.
In therapy programs for Valium addiction, therapists use behavior based counseling techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help most clients. This is a targeted therapy that encourages patients to think about the addiction in a positive light as a problem that can be cured. In CBT the therapist and the client work together to determine the following:
- What thoughts tend to cause a craving for drugs
- What situations cause an increase in cravings
- What techniques might help to amend destructive thoughts
- What methods a person might use to avoid risky situations
By changing both thoughts and behaviors, therapists hope to help their clients understand the root causes of their addictions and develop new skills they can use to resist the urge to use Valium. Some of this work is done privately, but sometimes, therapists encourage their clients to participate in group counseling, which can allow people to practice the skills they’re learning in therapy.
Sleeping difficulties are also common during the early days of recovery, but therapy can be a great intervention. By learning to meditate before bedtime, people can learn how to put the day’s concerns away before the time to sleep draws near as well as how to make their bedrooms conducive for sleep by removing distractions and blocking bright lights.
Support groups also strengthen the lessons people learn in therapy. Here, they’re provided with the opportunity to meet others who have their own history of addiction, and the group works together to learn more about how addictions form and how they can be handled on a day-to-day basis. Support groups also encourage new members to work with an experienced member, and these tight sponsor relationships can work wonders to fight Valium relapse. Instead of giving in, people can call their sponsors and talk through their cravings.
The Extent of Therapy
By choosing an evidence based treatment program, patients not only receive medically managed detox and excellent therapy to address the causes of addiction, but the rehab center continues to be a resource and support system for the ongoing work of sobriety. Aftercare and the support of family and friends is extremely important to maintaining sobriety, and many treatment centers offer these services among many others. Disappointment and peer pressure are two common reasons for relapse for many people. Supportive family members and friends can help by praising the person for the hard work done in recovery, and they can remain on alert for signs of relapse. This form of care is helpful to recognize stressful times in a persons life in order to intervene when necessary.
At The Oaks at La Paloma, we believe that families have an important role to play in the healing process. We provide a variety of programs that help family members learn more about Valium addiction, and we offer intensive therapies that can help families heal the damage the Valium addiction may have caused. We even offer family weekend programs that can help families stay involved in the care of the person that they love, even if that person is enrolled in inpatient care. If you’d like to know more about this, or you just need help with a Valium addiction, please call our 24 hour, toll-free helpline today. We’re eager to help.
1 Gordon, E.B. ““Addiction to Diazepam.” British Medical Journal. NCBI. 14 January 1967. Web. Accessed 1 August 2017.
2 Don, Andrew. “How Valium addiction affected my life.” The Times. 9 October 2012. Web. Accessed 1 August 2017.
3 “Valium (Diazepam) Withdrawal Symptoms: How Long To Fully Recover?” Mental Health Daily. 2014. Web. Accessed 1 August 2017.