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Valium is a brand-name version of diazepam, a benzodiazepine class drug. Diazepam remains a commonly prescribed medication used to treat seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol use withdrawal, anxiety, and insomnia. However, addiction experts have repeatedly warned the medication is overprescribed. Benzodiazepines like Valium work as sedatives and slow down the brain and body, causing feelings of calmness. Higher doses result in extreme tiredness, which helps individuals who have insomnia or other sleep disorders fall and stay asleep.
Valium is a drug with a high risk of addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 16% of all overdose deaths involve benzodiazepines like Valium. You can get more general information about this class of drugs by visiting our Benzodiazepines Addiction page.
Not everyone who experiences dependency or develops a tolerance becomes addicted to Valium. Researchers are unsure precisely why some people develop substance use disorders (SUD) and others do not. More studies need to be conducted on the subject to determine specifics. However, they do know genetics appear to play some role along with other factors.
Addiction occurs when withdrawal effects are present, and the preoccupation with using or getting more Valium interferes with your ability to function from day to day. The physical and psychological impact of SUD both require treatment from medical professionals.
Several things set Valium apart from other benzodiazepines. The drug is quicker to start working and longer-lasting. Valium has anticonvulsant properties and can treat seizures, muscle cramps, and some alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which is not the case for some other benzodiazepines. The side effects tend to be less severe than similar drugs. The many positive uses make Valium a very popular medication that leads to overprescribing to vulnerable demographics, increasing the risk of patients developing a SUD involving Valium.
Diazepam is one of the benzodiazepines used to treat alcohol use and acute alcohol use disorders. However, treatment can get more complicated when you present with both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and SUD involving Valium. Benzodiazepines can treat withdrawal side effects, including seizures, muscle cramps, and anxiety. Inform your care team if you have an AUD.
You may require a mixture of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and psychotherapy during rehabilitation. The most common types of treatment for Valium addiction include:
MAT use varies by individual and remains highly personalized throughout treatment.
If you believe that a loved one may be showing signs of Valium addiction, you can provide them with educational information and resource options. Sometimes using the services of a trained interventionist is necessary to facilitate voluntary treatment. Open and honest communication is essential when you approach them. Learn more about how to help your loved one by visiting the following informative page on the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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