Valium Addiction

Valium Addiction

Valium is a type of benzodiazepine used to treat short term moderate to severe anxiety, insomnia and certain types of muscle pain. Benzodiazepines increase the action of chemicals in the brain which help to reduce seizures, panic attacks and muscle spasms.

How is Valium Used?

Valium is prescribed to treat short term anxiety as well as manage anxiety disorders. Valium can be prescribed to treat muscle spasms, spasticity caused by neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy and paraplegia, stiff-man syndrome and tetanus. Valium is also used in the treatment of status epileptics and recalcitrant recurrent convulsive seizures. Valium may be used as premedication for relief of anxiety who are to undergo surgical procedures or invasive tests. Valium maybe prescribed to treat acute alcohol withdrawal and helps to relieve tremors, paranoia, agitation, acute delirium and hallucinations in the user.

How is Valium Taken?

Valium is typically taken in tablet form ranging from 0.2 to 10 mgs. When inappropriately used, valium use is sometimes taken by crushing up and snorting the tablet.

Street Names for Valium

• Foofoo
• Howards
• Dead flower powers
• Old Joes
• Cloud 9
• Candy
• Downers
• Sleeping pills
• Tranks

Side Effects of Valium Use & Addiction

Valium acts as a central nervous system depressant creating sedative, hypnotic, and slowing of the brain function. Valium use produces a calming or drowsy effect in the user. Despite the beneficial effects of taking Valium, it can cause a strong dependence in the user and should only be taken under the care of a physician.

Initial Effects of Valium Use & Addiction

When the user takes valium, they will generally experience feelings of sleepiness and lack of coordination. Tolerance develops overtime requiring the user to take larger doses or more frequent doses to feel the same initial effects.

Effects of Valium Use & Addiction to the Central Nervous System

When taking valium, the user may feel effects such as confusion, headache, slurred speech, tremors, vertigo, drowsiness and fatigue.

Other side effects of valium use and addiction may include

• Bladder or bowel control problems
• Double vision
• Weakness of muscles
• Salivation changes
• Difficulty passing urine
• Blurred vision

Psychiatric effects of valium use and addiction may include restlessness, acute hyperexcited states, anxiety, agitation, aggressiveness, irritability, rage, hallucinations, psychoses, delusions, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and nightmares.

Valium Abuse

Valium is one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. According to the United State’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), valium a potent sedative – hypnotic Central Nervous System depressant is one of the top five most abused benzodiazepines.

Valium addiction or dependency occurs due to the “rebound effect” of the drug. Overtime, the valium user will acquire a chemical dependency to the drug. Dependency may occur when the user does not follow the prescription guidelines though the risk for valium dependency is high even if you follow guidelines. Dependency is also more likely when users abuse the drug by taking it more often than prescribed or in higher doses.

Serious Effects of Valium Use & Addiction

• Depression
• Low blood pressure
• Yellow eyes or skin
• Suicidal thoughts
• Difficulty breathing
• Anxiety, excitation or agitation
• Hostility, aggression or rage
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations

Signs of an Allergic Reaction to Valium Use

• Unexplained rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Unexplained swelling

Valium Use & Addiction Signs and Symptoms

The most common signs of Valium use and addiction are drowsiness, slurred speech, lack of coordination, memory impairment, confusion, slowed breathing decreased blood pressure, dizziness and depression.

Valium Withdrawal Symptoms

Addiction to valium can create a strong dependency in the user and often time generate serious withdrawal symptoms when the user stops. Valium withdrawal symptoms often mirror its therapeutic effects. Symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, insomnia blurred vision, convulsions, tremors, abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting and sweating may appear after suddenly discontinuing use of the drug. Severe withdrawal symptoms typically occur in users who have been taking excessive doses or taking the drug for an extended period of time. A gradual reduction in the dose of valium is recommended over abrupt discontinuation. Individuals with a history of addiction to drugs or alcohol are even more susceptible to valium.

Valium Intoxication

The risk for an overdose on valium is particularly high when combined with alcohol and may lead to coma or respiratory arrest. Should an overdose occur, the antidote for the benzodiazepine family of drugs is flumazenil. Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist occasionally used empirically in emergency rooms for patients with unexplained loss of consciousness.

Valium and Alcohol Abuse

Valium is abused by all segments of society. Much like alcohol, valium depresses the central nervous system and is both physically and psychologically addicting especially when abused with alcohol. Benzodiazepines combined with alcohol can create what many consider to be one of the toughest addictions to break. Valium and alcohol abuse can both cause severe emotional and physical dependence. When abused together, some individuals may find it extremely difficult to stop. Mixing alcohol with valium is risky business and can lead to fatalities.

Symptoms of Valium and Alcohol Abuse

• Lethargy
• Somnolence
• Confusion
• Decreased reflexes
• Coma