Valium is the marketing name for diazepam, a drug belonging to the benzodiazepine family. A mild tranquilizer similar to Xanax, Valium is commonly prescribed to treat the symptoms of anxiety and other mood disorders. It’s addictive and often abused for recreational purposes, which can have fatal consequences.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there was a 4.3-fold increase in the total number of benzodiazepines overdose deaths between 2002 and 2015.
Sovereign Health is a leading provider of Valium addiction treatment that begins with a detox program at one of the best Valium detox centers. In addition to treating addiction’s physical symptoms, our staff also addresses any co-occurring mental disorders. We strive to ensure that every patient has the best chance to attain a lasting recovery.
Symptoms of Valium abuse and addiction
Not all drug abuse involves multiday benders, or secretly purchasing illicit drugs in a dark alley. Drug abuse can be as simple as continuing to take a drug like Valium after the prescription has expired, or taking a pill innocently offered by a friend to alleviate momentary stress.
People engage in Valium abuse for many reasons. The sedative effect can help some people relax, or forget their problems. Also, Valium’s effects can be amplified considerably when combined with other drugs like alcohol. This is a highly dangerous combination, as it can seriously affect the body’s ability to breathe. Like many other drugs, it’s possible to build up a tolerance to Valium’s effects, requiring the user to take it in larger amounts so as to feel similar effects. Doing so on a regular basis can eventually lead to an addiction.
Some of the common signs and symptoms signifying Valium abuse are:
- Dry mouth
- Changes in appetite and mood swings
- Blurred vision
- Memory and concentration problems
- Clumsiness, slowed reflexes and other motor difficulties
- Sleeping difficulties and lethargy
- Severe withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug
Valium addiction can be easily identified. If a person exhibits any or all of the following signs and symptoms he/she could be addicted to the drug:
- Doctor shopping – obtaining multiple prescriptions from different doctors to obtain more Valium
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not taking Valium
- An increased reliance on Valium in order to get through everyday life
- Depression
- Aggressive behavior
- Episodes of psychosis
- Abuse of other drugs, including alcohol
- Permanent mental impairments
Addiction is a disease that manipulates a person’s sense of reward, motivation, memory and a number of related neurological functions.
