What is Valium?
Valium is a benzo drug that is prescribed as a treatment for anxiety, panic attacks, and seizures. Diazepam is the generic name for Valium. It is a depressant and muscle relaxer that has sedative properties and is popularly used for its slowing of the brain activity resulting in reduced anxiety. Valium abuse can cause a strong physiological dependency.
Even if you have a valid prescription from a doctor for your Diazepam, you still run the risk for a Valium addiction. The availability of Valium in the US, along with the relaxing feeling that comes along with this sedative drug are the main reasons why people are coming back for more.
Valium Tolerance
Prescription drug addiction is a very serious problem around the world. If you have a prescription drug addiction, chances are that it started after a tolerance to that drug. You develop a tolerance to a drug when you have to take higher doses to feel the same effects as you used to from the drug.
Valium slows down brain activity by replacing some of the chemicals that are naturally produced in the brain. A tolerance to Valium can be built when it is taken for prolonged periods of time. Eventually, Valium will change the nerve cells in the brain so that when you try to quit taking Valium your brain can no longer produce the chemicals it was accustomed to, leaving you with feelings of withdrawal from your Valium addiction.
Valium Abuse
A tolerance to Valium doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a Valium addiction. Here are some good questions you can ask to determine if you have an addiction to Valium:
- Are you using Valium to get high?
- Are you taking your own prescription or someone else’s prescription of Valium?
- Do you think about taking Valium even when you don’t need it?
- Do you need to take more than the prescribed amount to get the same effects?
Valium is a benzo drug that can quickly lead to an addiction if it is used for longer periods of time or in a way that was not directed by a medical professional.
If you have Valium cravings, there is a good chance that other aspects of your life will start to suffer. It can become difficult to function without Valium once you have developed a dependency to the drug. It can be difficult to realize that you have an addiction to Valium, but if you realize that you are ignoring important aspects of your life because of your drive to get high on Valium, then it is definitely time to look at addiction treatment programs.
Quitting a prescription drug addiction, especially a Valium addiction, you run the risk for physical withdrawal symptoms that can be very uncomfortable and even life threatening without medical supervision.
Is Valium Dangerous?
The side effects of regular Valium usage are not the same as those of Valium abuse. The normal side effects are: slow motor functions, slowed heart rate, cotton mouth, slowed respiratory rate, nausea, difficulty urinating, blurred vision, confusion, decreased memory.as
Who Abuses Valium?
There is an opioid crisis in the United States & the death rates from Valium abuse prove that, with the number of casualties nearly quadrupling from the late 90’s to 2013. Overdose deaths due to benzos are not limited by age. The fastest-growing age group dying from benzo-type drug overdoses is those older than 65; however, the amount of underage abusers of Valium is still very high, and is estimated to be over 2 million.prescribed drug in America.
Valium Side Effects
There are definitely long term side effects of Valium usage. There is the personal/ social aspect of any prescription drug addiction that you should watch out for including: job loss, financial troubles, and social isolation. In addition to these less severe side effects, there are also physical side effects can be life threatening if they go untreated. Some of the side effects of Valium use include:
- Memory loss
- Breathing problems
- Lowered pulse
- Coma
- Heart attack
- Hallucinations
- Depression
- Aggressive behavior
- Further drug abuse
Should I Stop Taking Valium?
If you want to stop your Valium addiction, you should first seek a qualified addiction treatment facility that has the medically trained staff necessary for quitting any prescription drug addiction safely. There are different addiction treatment programs available, depending on your level of addiction. The first step in any addiction treatment is to detox. Detoxing from Valium can be very uncomfortable and may be life threatening in some cases. A licensed physician will be able to help minimize any withdrawal symptoms you may experience. After detox, you can expect to do some kind of inpatient therapy program, or outpatient rehab therapy. There is also sober living, which is a safe place to live while you take time to clean up other areas of your life that may cause you to relapse after leaving therapy.
