Life After Valium Withdrawal and Treatment

Life can be awesome once again after you have gotten through Valium withdrawals and finished treatment.

For nearly six decades, Valium has been a widely used drug to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. Valium belongs to the class of drugs referred to as benzodiazepines (benzos), which are sedatives. As with all benzos, Valium is a drug with a high risk for addiction.

When a Valium problem does occur, it is not easy to break free from its grip. You may want to stop using the drug, and even try to cut back or quit. But when you do attempt to quit, some very severe Valium withdrawal symptoms can emerge. Read on to learn more about how to prepare for detox and treatment, and then to enjoy life in recovery.

Facts about Valium

Valium (diazepam) is a central nervous system depressant that is often prescribed to treat people with anxiety disorder. This drug is also used before surgery to quiet nerves, and as an aid in alcohol detox.

The effects of Valium include a sense of being deeply relaxed and happy. When taken in pill form, these effects happen in about 15 minutes after dosing. The brain records these effects as pleasurable in its reward system.

As Valium use continues, it can lead to increased dosing. The drug can cause someone to feel highly sedated and dizzy, and lead to loss of coordination. This can result in falls, especially in older people. There are other risks, such as when someone drinks alcohol while on Valium. This can increase the risk of an overdose. Long-term use of the drug can lead to symptoms of depression and impaired memory as well.

How Do Addiction and Valium Withdrawals Happen?

The benzo family of drugs that Valium is part of is known to be highly addictive and prone to abuse. These drugs are habit forming, as tolerance can increase quickly. As tolerance increases, so does the dosing of the Valium. Someone may feel the need to take double the prescribed dose, or to take it more often than directed.

Once the brain has adapted to it, the person will begin to have withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to cut back or stop taking Valium. This is the process that leads to addiction. The cycle involves a craving or need for the drug, the drug’s effects, the waning effects, and then withdrawal symptoms.

Valium withdrawal symptoms emerge as the brain notices that the drug is no longer in the system. This happens when someone has become dependent on a substance over time, whether or not they abuse the drug. With benzos, like Valium, it is crucial to not stop cold turkey if addiction or dependence has occurred.

Getting Through Valium Withdrawals

If you decide you wish to stop taking Valium you will need the help and guidance of a doctor. A detox program will have the expertise to safely guide you through the Valium withdrawal process. This is important, as trying to manage the withdrawal symptoms yourself is not advised. There are too many possibly dangerous effects during a Valium detox.

A doctor will make a plan to slowly taper the drug out of your system over about a 2-week time frame. The body can then adjust to the absence of the Valium a little each day, and that can help reduce the adverse withdrawal effects.

Valium withdrawal symptoms include:

• Intense anxiety
• Tremors
• Sweating
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Stomach cramps
• Hyper sensitive to light, sound, and touch.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Irritability
• Trouble paying attention.
• Mental confusion.
• Paranoia
• Grand mal seizures.

The level of severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on the history of the Valium use disorder, and the daily dosage taken. The detox team will closely monitor symptoms and provide meds as needed to help reduce discomfort.

Treatment for Valium Use Disorder

Now that you have finished the detox process it is time to tackle the Valium addiction itself. A treatment program can guide you through the various therapies to help you make the lasting changes needed for sobriety. These address different aspects of the thinking process and response to triggers, each activity in its own way. Treatment includes:

• Talk Therapy. These one-on-one sessions allow you to delve into the issues that may be factors in the addiction to Valium.
• Group Sessions. Peer group therapy sessions are a good way to learn more about the struggles involved in the recovery process.
• 12-Step. The themes of the 12-Step Program are often woven into the rehab curriculum.
• Psycho-Social. Life skills classes help you learn better ways to relate to others, which can improve recovery outcomes.
• Education. Classes help you learn about how the brain is affected by drugs like Valium, and how to avoid a relapse.

Learning How to Cope with Anxiety without Valium

One of the most helpful aspects of treatment is being taught holistic methods that can help manage stress or anxiety. Stress is one of the common triggers for relapse, so using these methods is vital to recovery success. Some of these holistic methods include:

• Deep breathing techniques
• Yoga
• Mindfulness
• Journaling
• Meditation

There are helpful videos and smartphone apps to assist you in learning these methods. Try to include them in your daily or weekly routines to keep stress under control.

Getting exercise and eating a healthy diet are also essential lifestyle changes to include in your new recovery habits. Both of these can really help to reduce stress, aid in sleep, and improve your mood.

Once you have safely overcome the Valium withdrawal process and been through treatment you can look forward to rewarding life.

Capo by the Sea Rehab for Valium Addiction

Capo by the Sea provides the most effective Valium addiction treatment available. With a detox program on site, our team will guide you through the Valium withdrawals safely. After detox, our treatment program will help you learn new ways of handling stress and breaking the disordered thought patterns. Call us today with any questions about the program at (888) 529-2114.