Valium (diazepam) is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for seizures, anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia, restless leg, and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Countless people rely on the product’s sedative properties to calm the mind.
But very few users realize how addictive Valium can be. They take a tablet every day for a few months and start experiencing a physical dependency.
The constant abuse can have both psychological and physical effects on the body. This is why it’s essential to start a detox process. This guide will take a detailed look at Valium addiction and the benefits of medical detox.
What Makes Valium So Addictive?
Valium, also known as diazepam, is a part of the benzos (benzodiazepine) medication group. This drug is a potent sedative that can interact with the central nervous system. Some might ask, is Valium withdrawal dangerous?
Due to its incredible potency, high bioavailability, and quick action, Valium has become a clinical and commercial success, according to National Institutes of Health. But because of how effective it is, many people see the drug as the only viable solution for dealing with a stressful situation.
If patients are not careful enough, it’s very easy to develop a physical dependence. The odds of developing a Valium addiction are high. By taking the drug regularly for 4 to 6 weeks, patients increase their likelihood of addiction.
Based on reports, researchers must work on maximizing the efficacy of the drug but minimizing the potential side effects or risks that come with it.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Valium extended use can cause dependence, tolerance, and, in many cases, addiction. Based on reports from the FDA, when users abruptly stop taking or reduce the dosage, they will experience withdrawal symptoms.
Here are some of the most commonly felt symptoms.
In severe cases where users have abused Valium for a long time, they can experience more serious complications, such as:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Muscle twitching
- Delirium
- Convulsions
- Numbness
- Psychosis
But what most people don’t realize is that it’s easy to develop a Valium dependency. By taking just 15mg of Valium a day for several months, you will start feeling the withdrawal symptoms. Individuals who’ve taken over 100mg a day have a higher chance of experiencing serious complications.
According to one clinical trial, researchers wanted to study the impact of withdrawal symptoms on the human body. They planned a small-scale study with 40 volunteers in the psychiatric and general clinics.
Volunteers took diazepam regularly for over three years, after which they had the valium replaced by propranolol or placebo. Based on the reports, 27% to 45% of the patients experienced withdrawal issues right after they stopped taking diazepam.
For those who have already developed a Valium addiction, it’s important to start with proper treatment. A Diazepam Detox Center in Texas, like the one offered at Stonegate Center (located just west of Fort Worth) can help. With constants supervision and excellent monitoring, it’s easy to overcome all of these debilitating withdrawal difficulties.
Valium Withdrawal Timeline
Many people wonder how long it takes to detox from Valium. The hard truth is that Valium withdrawal symptoms can be experienced just a couple of hours after the drug wears off.
For the next 1 to 7 days, symptoms escalate, becoming incredibly uncomfortable, intense, and debilitating. The symptoms will peak 24h to 72h after the last dose.
Depending on how long the individual has been taking the medication and how severe the addiction is, the entire detox process can vary. In general, it can last from 4 weeks to even months.
Overall, it will take a very long time for the human body to flush out the drug from the system. However, each individual will deal with the detox process in their own way.
The symptoms will vary, and the length of the medical detox will depend on the level of Valium addiction and the patient’s general health.
Note: Patients who’ve used Valium for a long time can be vulnerable to PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome). They can experience dysphoria, anxiety, agitation, and extreme depression. These can last for months after you stop using the drug.
How Long Does Valium Remain in Your System?
Based on clinical reports, Valium is a long-lasting drug. It will take 15 to 60 minutes for the effects to kick in, but it will take days for the body to eliminate it completely. The effects of the drug can be felt for over 12 hours.
As the body processes the substance, the drug is broken down into metabolites. In most users, the metabolites can easily be detected for days. When someone takes more doses and often, the metabolites will accumulate, which will prolong the detection process, statistics show. Here is how long Valium stays in the body.
What Affects Detection Times?
There are countless factors that can interact with the Valium and extend the detection process. These factors impact the body’s ability to break down the substance, experts explain.
Here are some common factors that determine the long-term effects of the drug. These include:
- Age
- Liver health
- Frequency of use
- Metabolic rate
- Amount consumed
- Prescription medication
- BMI (body mass index)
- Food and beverage intake
The Importance of Getting Medical Detox
Detox for Valium addiction is essential. It’s necessary for removing the addictive substance from the blood. It helps users stop taking Valium and allows them to free themselves from physical dependence.
Some people might think that detoxing at home is the most viable alternative. But that couldn’t be more wrong. It is dangerous to detox from Valium on your own.
Since it exposes people to severe anxiety, hallucinations, and dysphoria, it’s safer to detox under medical supervision. With a Valium addiction treatment program near Dallas-Fort Worth, patients get access to a safe environment for controlling their withdrawal symptoms.
How Does a Medical Detox Look Like?
A Medical Detox Center for Valium provides proper treatment programs designed to monitor a patient’s withdrawal progress. The whole journey will go through a series of stages, all with their own role to play. Here is what each stage will look like.
In these facilities, patient recovery is the top priority. To ensure that patients get optimal care, the staff can:
- Prescribe medications
- Provide counseling and therapy
- Create a safe environment
When the system is detoxed completely, patients might want to get further treatment. It’s possible to experience cravings, even post-treatment.
If you or a loved one is suffering from Valium addiction, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. It’s as easy as searching for, “Valium detox center near me,” in Google in order to find the results you need! Then give their front desk a call in order to vet each Diazepam Detox Center in Texas, and get the help you need. With regular therapy sessions, people can reduce their risk of relapse and continue with their recovery.
Medications
A typical diazepam abuse recovery program in DFW consists of addiction therapy. That way, patients have a better chance for long-term recovery. In many cases, people need certain medications to curb the withdrawal symptoms, stated the National Library of Medicine.
Depending on the type of Valium addiction and severity of the withdrawal issues, the medication will differ, stated NCBI. Although there is no FDA-approved treatment for Valium dependence, doctors can prescribe:
- Beta-blockers
- SSRI antidepressants
- Ondansetron
- Clonidine
- Lyrica
Researchers studied the effect of ondansetron. Based on a clinical trial, this popular medication helped volunteers flexibly tamper with the benzos withdrawal symptoms for a span of 6 weeks. Although the medication can’t help with severe anxiety, it can help patients stop taking benzos. It tampers with the cravings and helps them overcome their dependency.
Counseling and Therapy
Patients can choose inpatient or outpatient treatment. With outpatient treatment, they can keep their regular routine and continue going to work. Outpatient therapy is a practical approach for mild or moderate Valium addiction treatment.
But, for severe cases, it’s best to get inpatient or residential treatment. At the inpatient rehab center for Valium addiction, patients get access to individual or group therapy, including meetings and regular counseling sessions.
Safe Environment
At the inpatient rehab center for Valium addiction, patients are in a safe facility. The detox center is constantly supervised to reduce the likelihood of a relapse. The programs are designed to help people overcome addiction.
The medical staff helps patients get over the unpleasant detox process and minimize the risk of health complications. With the continued supervision, people will gain confidence in their journey to a successful recovery.
Are You Struggling With Valium Addiction or Drug Abuse?
Detoxing the body is never easy. When someone is addicted to a substance, they will always crave more. That’s why it’s crucial to get proper treatment. The safest approach is a medical detox center. That way, people avoid serious health complications and improve their odds for a healthy recovery.
Practical information on the importance of a Valium detox is listed here. This includes all the negative and positive effects the drug can have on the human body.
For those in the Texas or surrounding areas like Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, etc., check out our gender-separate and faith-based rehab center out online! We offer a long-term solution to substance abuse as reflected in our programs which last from 45 days, 60 days, and 90 days depending on medical acuity, motivation and insurance coverage.
Give our Admissions Coordinators a call at (817) 993-9733 or email us at admissions@stonegatecenter.com to learn more about our individualized program as well as our after-care plan. We look forward to having you on campus and getting you the help you need!
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1862031/pdf/canmedaj01380-0033.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1415890/pdf/bmjcred00445-0020.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3990949/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537022/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64092/
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/013263s094lbl.pdf
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21815323/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1010653/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657308/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6111632/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5896864/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4443548/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9555597
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