What is Valium?

Prescription drug abuse is a significant problem in the United States. While prescription medications like benzodiazepines and opiates provide important therapeutic benefits, many also carry the risk of abuse and addiction. Benzodiazepine-like Valium is used to treat anxiety related disorders and to minimize symptoms, like panic and anxiety attacks. But, what is Valium?

Valium was one of the most prescribed medications throughout the 1950s and 1980s. Today, it is the 112th most prescribed medication in the United States. Although highly effective in treating anxiety related conditions, it is also prone to abuse, which is why one may need a Valium addiction treatment center.

What is Valium?

So, what is Valium? It is a type of benzodiazepine, which is a prescription medication that is a central nervous system depressant and relieves symptoms related to anxiety. The drug causes your brain to release GABA, which is a neurotransmitter that causes calming feelings. However, it is both physically and psychologically addicting.

Most people would be safe taking Valium in the short term, for example if having trouble sleeping before an exam. But it should not be taken for more than a few weeks. If you take it for more than a few months, it can be especially harmful.

People can take Valium when having trouble sleeping before an exam or relieve symptoms related to anxiety. However, if someone takes the drug for more than several months it can be very harmful.

What Does Valium Addiction Happen?

People can become addicted to the drug by initially taking it as prescribed, but then needing more of it later on due to addiction. Or they might take another person’s prescription.

Individuals who are prescribed the medication for short periods of time or relieve symptoms related to anxiety can become addicted to the drug if they need more of it later on or take another person’s prescription.

Since Valium is a central nervous system depressant, it is extremely dangerous to take other drugs or drink alcohol while on Valium. Abusing the drug can also lead to addiction. If you take Valium without a prescription or take more than prescribed, it can cause changes to your brain chemistry.

Signs and symptoms of Valium addiction include:

• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using
• Experiencing negative consequences
• Hiding or concealing your drug use
• Friends or family members confronting you about your drug use
• Needing to use to feel normal

How do Treat Valium Addiction?

Valium is physically and psychologically addictive, meaning that once you are dependent on the drug, you can experience withdrawal symptoms when you immediately quit using. Withdrawal symptoms can become life threatening. Although rare, Valium withdrawal can cause you to have seizures.

Withdrawal can also cause depression, anxiety, insomnia, and cravings, making it important to find help from a treatment center when you decide to quit. A treatment center can provide you with a medically supervised detox, which ensures that you are safe during withdrawal. Detox can also limit your symptoms and make withdrawal more comfortable.

Inpatient and outpatient programs offer evidence-based and holistic treatments. Inpatient programs are residential and can be short-term or long-term and are best for severe addictions or if you have tried to get clean multiple times. Outpatient programs are less time intensive. Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are both examples of outpatient treatment options.

A Valium Addiction Treatment Center in Florida Can Help

If you are wondering what is Valium addiction and how is it treated, the simple answer is that Valium, like other benzodiazepines, is prone to abuse and dangerous to withdrawal from. Finding help may seem difficult but is as simple as making a single phone call.

Beaches Recovery, a premier Valium addiction treatment center, understands what it takes to beat addiction. Call us today at 866.605.0532 to find out more about our nationally recognized substance abuse treatment programs.