What to Do If Your Loved One is Addicted to Valium?
You may have heard of valium addiction mentioned in the news or depicted in various TV shows and movies. While valium is known for its effectiveness in treating anxiety and muscle spasms, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential for valium addiction and its associated side effects. Many individuals seem to develop an addiction to valium.
Valium addiction doesn’t develop overnight, and understanding the signs of a potential intense addiction to this drug can be crucial. In this guide, we delve into valium, exploring its effects and providing insights into how to identify if someone you know is grappling with Valium addiction.
What Class of Drugs Does Valium Belong To?
Valium belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Some examples of other benzodiazepines are Xanax and Ativan.
Benzodiazepines are a type of drug that is used to treat anxiety and other psychological disorders. They slow down the activity of the central nervous system. Since Valium is a type of benzodiazepine, it acts in the same way. Just like other benzodiazepines, it takes effect immediately and has a short half-life.
While there are many effective treatments for anxiety and muscle spasms, the problem with Valium is that it can be addictive. In fact, some people that have been prescribed this drug may use it for recreational purposes. This can cause them to develop an addiction to Valium.
Valium is a Benzodiazepine
Valium is a medication that is used to treat anxiety or disorders such as epilepsy. It is a sedative, but it should be used only as prescribed since it can have negative effects if not used properly.
Valium can be in pill form or injectable. It is most commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and muscle spasms and is often referred to as Diazepam.
How Does Valium Work?
When a person takes Valium, it causes nerve cells in the brain to slow down. This happens as soon as the drug takes effect. The effect is almost immediate, which is one of the reasons why it is often used as a sedative, especially in the hospital.
Just like other benzodiazepines, valium works because it stops the brain from producing gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. It works by inhibiting the release of other neurotransmitters that cause the body to feel stressed.
When GABA isn’t produced, the body naturally produces more glutamate. This is an excitatory neurotransmitter that causes the mind to feel alert and attentive.
The Effects of Valium
The effect of valium can be felt as soon as it enters your system. It will usually take effect in 30 minutes and can last for several hours. This depends on the patient but can last for up to 12 hours.
For someone who is taking Valium for anxiety or muscle spasms, it usually causes them to feel relaxed. They will feel less anxious and feel as if their muscles are more relaxed.
The adverse side effects of Valium can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and a loss of motor control. It can also cause difficulty concentrating and confusion. The side effects can be lessened if the dose is taken at night or if the drug was taken before going to bed.
Valium Side Effects
The drug can have some side effects that can be bothersome. You may experience drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches if the dosage is too high. Some people may also experience blurred vision, a loss of coordination, and muscle weakness. You may also experience some of the following side effects with this drug.
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Loss of Appetite
- Slurred Speech
- Confusion
- Dependency
- Withdrawal Symptoms
How Long Does Valium Stay In Your System?
The half-life for diazepam is about 26 hours. This means it takes about this long for the body to process the drug. When it is still in the system, you may still experience some of the side effects. It is also important to realize that the metabolites in your system are not excreted right away.
Since the drug is a sedative, you may notice that you feel a little groggy or tired. You may also experience a headache. These side effects usually subside after the drug has left your system.
The drug can be found in urine tests for up to a week after discontinuing the medication. The drug can also be detected in your saliva as well as your hair follicles. However, the drug will be detected in hair follicles for a longer period of time.
How to Tell if Someone is Addicted to Valium?
Since Valium is often prescribed to treat anxiety, the person may not realize that they are addicted to it. They may also use it to dull the effects of withdrawal. In order to recover from addiction, they will have to stop taking valium. The withdrawal symptoms can be extremely painful and are the main cause of addiction to Valium.
If you know someone who is addicted to Valium, you should watch for certain warning signs. These signs include:
- They take more of the drug than the doctor prescribes.
- They take the drug more often than they were told to.
- They take the drug in higher doses than they were prescribed.
- They take the drug in amounts that were not prescribed.
- They may try to get the drug from others.
Many people who start abusing this medication will turn to alcohol or drugs to deal with their pain once they withdraw from the drug. This can cause them to get involved in substance abuse.
How to Help Someone Who is Addicted to Valium
If you know someone who is addicted to valium, you should try to help them get into a treatment center. It is important to ensure that this person is getting help for their addiction. A person can get addicted to Valium very quickly and have difficulty getting off of it. Many people will quit taking valium because of the side effects.
Unfortunately, many people who try to quit taking it can quickly experience withdrawal symptoms. This is why it is vital to get them into a treatment center. They can help the patient manage their withdrawal symptoms while they go through the treatment program.
Conclusion
If you think that you or someone that you know is addicted to valium, you need to get help as soon as possible. It may be difficult for you to get the person that you know to get treatment, but getting help is all for the best. You can also help them by getting them to contact Addiction IO today.