Valium Addiction

Valium Rehab Center

Sometimes, the medication we turn to for relief becomes the very thing that entraps us. Valium, a common medication often prescribed for anxiety and muscle spasms, is no exception. While it offers effective treatment for many medical conditions, it can also lead you down a path of addiction and dependency. How does this happen, and what can be done if you or someone you know is caught in the web of Valium addiction?

At Avalon Malibu, we are deeply committed to helping individuals find a way out of this intricate and challenging situation. We recognize that each person’s journey is unique and provide tailored, holistic treatment plans that heal the mind, body and spirit, promoting a healthier lifestyle that empowers clients to get sober and achieve lasting recovery.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with Valium addiction, reach out for help today. Our experienced and licensed team of therapists, physicians and specialists can provide the support you need to address your substance use and improve your mental wellness.

What Is Valium?

Valium is a brand name for the drug diazepam, a part of the benzodiazepine family. Doctors often prescribe it to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures, as well as sleep disorders and insomnia. It calms the central nervous system and provides a soothing effect that is able to effectively provide relief from these and a number of other medical conditions.

However, Valium also has a darker side. It can be addictive, especially when misused or taken for extended periods. Valium addiction occurs when a person becomes dependent on the drug and experiences various physical and psychological challenges as a result.

Symptoms of Valium Withdrawal

With repeated use, and over an extended period of time, Valium can become addictive. When an individual is addicted to Valium, their brain gets accustomed to the depressing effects of the drug and becomes dependent on it to function normally, leading to physical dependence. There is also a mental addiction that occurs when tolerance builds up to the drug. It takes more of the drug to feel the effects, and a deep need for the relaxing “high” ensues. This cycle of psychological and physical dependence continues with each dose taken.

According to ClinCalc, a website that provides evidence-based decision support tools for medical professionals, over 4.9 million prescriptions for Valium were written by doctors in the United States in 2020. The generic form of Valium is diazepam, and it is usually prescribed in pill form, although it comes as a liquid as well. Because there is no longer a patent for the Valium formula, there are now more than 500 diazepam brands available on the market.

With its widespread use and availability, Valium is considered a risk for abuse and addiction. When taken, the drug is often swallowed, but it may also be:

CRUSHED SO IT’S ABSORBED QUICKER
GROUND INTO A POWDER AND SNORTED
INJECTED DIRECTLY INTO A VEIN
DRANK IN A LIQUID FORM, USUALLY MORE THAN PRESCRIBED
MIXED WITH OTHER DRUGS TO ENHANCE THE HIGH

Taking Valium in these ways significantly alters how the drug interacts with the body, increasing the risk of addiction and amplifying the potential for serious health complications.

Long-Term Effects of Valium Use

Valium is a sedative that is effective for treating certain medical conditions, but it can have severe consequences when taken daily over an extended period of time. Typically, it is recommended for the short-term management of anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, sleeplessness and alcohol withdrawal. Long-term use can significantly impact the normal functioning of the brain and central nervous system, with side effects that include:

Memory loss
Confusion
Drowsiness
Poor coordination
Impaired judgment
Depression
Rebound anxiety
Mood swings
Seizures
Nightmares or hallucinations
Physical dependence
Risk of addiction

Extended use of Valium over a prolonged period can also affect the body, impacting breathing, digestion and pulmonary function, with the potential to cause permanent and life-threatening damage. Because of this, Valium addiction should be addressed and treated as soon as possible. Understanding these long-term effects of Valium use is crucial in recognizing the need for proper intervention and care.

The Dangers of Valium & Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

Valium and other benzodiazepines work by affecting the brain’s neurotransmitters, specifically targeting a chemical called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA helps calm the nervous system, and Valium enhances this effect, leading to feelings of relaxation and reduced anxiety. Over time, the brain becomes reliant on Valium to maintain these calming effects, and this is where the dangers of withdrawal begin to surface.

When someone becomes dependent on Valium, their brain adjusts, and the natural production of GABA decreases. If Valium is suddenly removed, the brain struggles to adapt, leading to a number of intense symptoms that may be life-threatening, such as:

Delusions and delirium
Shortness of breath
Respiratory distress
Rapid heartbeat
Numbness in limbs
Seizures
Mood swings
Coma

However, the challenges of Valium withdrawal go beyond physical symptoms. The psychological effects can be equally devastating. When Valium is stopped, the sudden absence of its calming influence can cause a rebound of anxiety, panic attacks, depression and even hallucinations. It’s as if the brain’s natural braking system has been taken away, leading to a chaotic and emotionally taxing experience.

Most long-term users will experience withdrawal when Valium is suddenly stopped, making it crucial to seek the proper support and care to ensure their safety. At Avalon Malibu, we provide medically supervised detox to help clients taper off Valium and other benzodiazepines and manage their withdrawal symptoms in a comfortable environment. By offering personalized treatment plans and holistic, compassionate care, our goal is to pave the way for long-term recovery so individuals regain control of their lives and build a healthier future.

How Does Valium Affect the Mind & Body?

Valium is a sedative and a hypnotic drug that works by depressing the central nervous system. It targets GABA receptors to decrease brain activity, including the way the brain receives messages relayed by neurotransmitters. This often results in an uncoordinated sensation that produces a euphoric feeling. As Valium enters the body’s bloodstream, the effects of the dose hit the highest point, and the user feels a rush of sensation. Valium may feel akin to being drunk, in that there is often clumsiness from the sedating effect.

As Valium wears off and the high dissipates, there is a comedown and a crash. The easygoing feeling begins to disappear, and the brain begins to accelerate back to its previous condition. Often, some people will attempt to counteract the crash with more Valium.

With long-term use of Valium, individuals become accustomed to the relaxing nature of the drug, and the body quickly builds a tolerance, making it much harder to achieve the desired effects with the same amount of Valium each time. Over time, people often find they need to keep taking more and more of the drug to counteract this diminished response.

Valium addiction is known to cause a number of problems in a person’s life, including social isolation, job loss and financial difficulties. It can also lead to serious long-term physical damage from accidents that occur while taking the drug, especially while driving. Many people who develop a substance use disorder and become dependent on Valium suffer from co-occurring mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression and panic attacks, and these conditions can worsen over time as a result of long-term, harmful use.

Treating Valium Addiction at Avalon Malibu

At Avalon Malibu, we know that overcoming substance use is more than a medical challenge; it’s a deeply personal journey for each individual. That’s why our approach to treatment goes beyond merely helping people get sober. Instead, we focus on a holistic approach to recovery that nurtures the mind, body and spirit, acknowledging the unique needs and experiences of our clients so they can thrive and find lasting fulfillment without drugs or alcohol.

We provide a continuum of care where individuals may get help for Valium addiction and withdrawal in a serene, peaceful and supportive environment. Medically supervised detox at our luxury facility is often the first step in the treatment process, where clients can safely and comfortably eliminate harmful drugs from the body before full participation in our residential program at The Cottage House to address the underlying cause of their addictive behaviors.

In residential treatment, we incorporate a number of different healing therapies and philosophies to create a realistic plan for long-term recovery. Some of the carefully chosen therapeutic modalities and techniques we use to promote healing include:

At Avalon Malibu, our Valium rehab center is committed to helping our clients to develop a sense of self-worth with renewed meaning in their lives. Valium addiction at The Cottage House is tackled with a comprehensive plan that is designed specifically for the individual, where our psychiatrists work with you to identify the root of your substance use and address the underlying mental health conditions that often accompany drug or alcohol use.

“Excellent staff. Impressive staff to patient ratio. Cutting edge program tailored for my specific needs. I left Avalon Malibu with many new skills and a deeper understanding of my disease. I will forever be grateful for the care I received there.”

Contact Avalon Malibu

At Avalon Malibu, we understand that breaking free from Valium addiction is a personal and complex journey, requiring more than just a standardized approach. We take pride in offering a diverse array of both traditional and innovative therapies at our serene residential substance abuse treatment center, The Cottage House. Here, clients are encouraged to explore self-awareness, growth and wellness to achieve lasting recovery.

If you or a loved one is seeking a transformative approach to Valium addiction treatment near Los Angeles in Malibu, California, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact or call us at 866-332-1068, and discover how we can help guide you toward a life of renewed purpose.