Valium Addiction and Rehabilitation

   Dec. 7, 2014
   25 minute read
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Last Edited: March 17, 2020
Author
Patricia Howard, LMFT, CADC
Clinically Reviewed
Andrew Lancaster, LPC, MAC
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and certified by an addiction professional.

Dangers of Valium Abuse

Valium, or Diazepam, is a type of sedative. It is a Benzodiazepine, and it is one of the most common prescription drugs in the United States. Valium is great for treating insomnia and anxiety due to its sedative properties. Valium is used as a type of medicine to treat a range of conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, withdrawal, spasms, Meniere’s disease, seizures and is used for surgical procedures.

The drug works by slowing down some of the brain’s receptors and enhancing GABA, a neurotransmitter associated with anxiety. It depresses the central nervous system, which gives it a sedating effect. Just because Valium is prescribed by a doctor, doesn’t mean it is safe and you won’t become addicted to it.

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Due to Valiums sedating effect, it has a high potential for an individual to become addicted. Once addicted, individuals will need to take more Valium to get their desired effect, causing their prescription to run out early. When his or her prescription is out, they will begin to go into withdrawal and the withdrawal pain might cause him or her to go looking for Valium on the streets.

Street Names for Valium

Knowing the street names of Valium can help you be sure of your loved one’s abuse. Some of the most common street names for Valium are:

  • Vs
  • Downers
  • Benzos
  • Tranks
  • Ludes
  • Drunk pills

Now that you know the street names, keep an ear out or an eye on your loved one’s phone, they could be using any of these terms as a code for Valium.

Valium Effects

Addiction to Valium can have negative effects on both mental and physical aspects of the body. Higher dosages can also lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. Once people get addicted, they can become so consumed with finding more that they start to neglect their professional, educational and social responsibilities. Also, Valium slows down the reactions, which means people who use it are more likely to be involved in accidents. Some signs an individual is using Valium are: confusion, memory loss, dizziness, week muscles, clumsiness, dilated pupils, depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior, sleeping problems, organ damage, overdose, and even death. To prevent these symptoms, individuals will need to stop using Valium and enter treatment to ensure their recovery.

Warning signs of Valium abuse in a loved one

Valium is a depressant, sedative; used for treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and withdrawal from other addictive substances. For some, a doctor will evaluate and hand over a prescription. Other people are introduced to Valium on the streets by a friend or co-worker. Regardless of how someone was introduced to Valium, addiction is still possible. If you are worried a loved one is abusing Valium here are some common signs to look out for:

If you fear a loved one is abusing Valium a major sign to be aware of is slurred speech. Valium slows down the brain and body to the point where it can make it hard for the abuser to speak and have regular conversation without slurring a few words.

Another sign of Valium abuse in a loved one is memory loss. The Valium abuser may ask you the same question a few times before they remember asking. He or she may also accuse you of theft because they have misplaced something while he or she was high.

If someone is addicted to Valium, they will put their abuse before everything. You may notice they have recently lost a job or been straining relationships but don’t seem to care their life is falling apart. As long as he or she has Valium, everything is fine.

Factual Dangers: Valium

If you have a loved one who is acting out, sleeping all the time, losing jobs, missing school, and asking you for money, he or she may have a substance abuse problem. All substances produce similar but different effects. Valium, however, has a different effect on all individuals who take it. It will make some abuser feel as if they can concur the world and put other abusers in a deep depression. If you think your loved one might have a problem, call us.

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