Valium is prescribed for a variety of reasons. It’s commonly used to help treat anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and muscle pain. It’s widely known for its ability to relax muscles, and its sedative properties. The goal of this drug is to balance the GABA neurotransmitter within the brain. Overactive and out of balance brain activity can be the reason for increased anxiety and a number of other disorders.
However, since Valium produces a general feeling of euphoria upon taking the drug this makes it a very widely abused prescription medication. Even if you’ve been prescribed Valium by your doctor, that still leaves you open to Valium addiction and abuse, especially if you’ve been using the medication for over six months.
Below we cover the how Valium becomes abused, the most common effects of the drug, what happens to you when you’re abusing the drug, and potential treatment options for you to consider. If you or a loved one is suffering from Valium addition it’s important to seek out a drug addiction treatment center as soon as possible.
What Is Valium?
Valium is part of the benzodiazepine family, and has had success treating ailments ranging from panic attacks to general anxiety. Valium works to slow overactive electrical activity in the brain.
Since Valium can cause structural changes in the nerve endings within your brain it can make you become physically dependent on the drug. With prolonged use of Valium, it’s easy to develop a dependence on the drug. In some instances, Valium is mixed with other substances like alcohol, and can induce dangerous effects and health hazards.
Symptoms and Effects of Valium Abuse
Valium can change how you think and behave across a variety of different spectrums. Some of the most common side effects of the drug are shown below:
- Confusion
- Overall feeling of faintness
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
- Increased feelings of aggression and anger
- Muscle tremors
- Hallucinations and strange or weird thoughts
It’s also important to be able to notice the signs of Valium addiction within yourself, or a loved one. Being able to recognize these signs is the crucial first step in treating drug addiction. You’ll find a few common indicators of addiction below:
- The increased need to use the drug regularly
- The need to continually increase the dose of the drug
- Unusual or strange behavior
- An inability to function without the drug
It’s possible that individuals who become addicted to Valium have a number of co-occurring disorders, which need to be treated alongside the Valium addiction. Some of the common co-occurring disorders are listed below:
- Bipolar disorder
- Depressive disorder
- Panic disorder
- PTSD
- Schizophrenia
- Anxiety disorders
Valium Withdrawal and Addiction Treatment Options
Since Valium is a physically addictive prescription medication it’s advised to go through a drug and alcohol detox. Long-term use of the drug will cause the individual to become physically dependent on the drug. Without ingesting the drug withdrawal symptoms will start to appear. Some of the most common Valium withdrawal symptoms are shows below:
- Seizures
- Increased anxiety and panic attacks
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Stomach upset
- General discomfort and bodily aches
It’s important to seek out the assistance of a professional treatment facility when undergoing a detox, so the withdrawal symptoms don’t become life-threatening. After the initial withdrawal symptoms have passed it’s recommended to continue with a rehab program to avoid relapsing.
These programs will help the individual adjust to a newly sober life without dependence on the drug. If you, or a loved one has been struggling with Valium addiction, then reach out to our helpful team today.
Sources:
“Drugs & Medications: Valium” WebMD. Web. 16 Feb 2016.
“Positive Neuromodulation of GABAa Receptors: Tranquilizers” Williams College. Web. 16 Feb 2016.