What Is Diazepam?

Commonly known under the brand name Valium diazepam is used to relieve anxiety and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. It is also used along with other medications to control muscle spasms and spasticity caused by certain neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, paraplegia, athetosis, and stiff-man syndrome. Diazepam is also used alongside other medications to control seizures. Diazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by calming abnormal overactivity in the brain.

Legal Status of Diazepam (UK)

Diazepam is a Class C controlled substance in the UK, which means it cannot be legally obtained without a prescription. — there are three classes in the United Kingdom: A, B and C. While benzodiazepines are Class C, it is illegal to give, sell or possess them for non-medical use. The maximum punishment for possession is two years, with the penalty for dealing set at 14 years. Secondly, controlled substances are put into five schedules that dictate who can import, export, manufacture, supply and possess them. Each of the five levels also requires a specific level of record-keeping that must be adhered to in order to minimise misuse or abuse. Diazepam is a schedule four drug which means it is in the same category as steroids, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics and somatropin.

How Addictive Is Diazepam Really?

Benzodiazepines were first developed in the 1930s, but it took nearly two decades for them to be made available to the public. The first one on the market was Librium (chlordiazepoxide) in 1960, closely followed by Valium (diazepam) in 1966. Before their introduction, opiates and barbiturates had been the medication of choice for treating anxiety. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the drugs were widely prescribed and treated as “wonder drugs”. Medical professionals recognised that they were less toxic than previously prescribed drugs and didn’t cause respiratory depression as barbiturates did. It was also mistakenly thought that they were less addictive. It wasn’t until the 1980s when the action benzodiazepines took on the neurotransmitter GABA was discovered. The addictive potential had been completely underestimated, and stricter regulations were imposed on doctors and pharmacies. Provided the user is taking the drug exactly as prescribed by the doctor, they shouldn’t develop an addiction. However, tapering off the drug slowly even after a short period of use may be necessary. If an individual is taking more than they were prescribed, seems preoccupied with obtaining the drug or is taking the drug without a prescription, detoxification should be sought as soon as possible.

Causes & Risk Factors of Diazepam Addiction

There are a number of risk factors that drastically increase the likelihood of somebody developing an addiction to valium. It is widely accepted that excessive or long-term use of diazepam leads to tolerance. This tolerance necessitates the user taking an increasing amount of the substance to obtain the same effect. It is for this reason that diazepam is not recommended to be prescribed for any more than four weeks. Another major risk factor in developing an addiction to diazepam is a previous problem with substance abuse. This is thought to be partially due to the way the medication interacts with other drugs. It can counteract the effects of stimulants and increase the effects of central nervous system depressants such as alcohol or opiates.

Signs, Symptoms and Effects of Diazepam Addiction

Nausea
Constipation
Headache
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Dizziness
Confusion
Slurred speech
Blurred vision
Tremors
Difficulty urinating
Incontinence
Depressed or irritable mood
Severe anxiety
Panic
Restlessness
Inability to sleep
Confusion
Muscle cramps
Headache
Sweating
Extreme sensitivity to light
Hallucinations
Seizures
Lethargy
Confusion
Slowed breathing
Reduced heart rate
Ataxia (impaired muscle coordination)
Impaired reflexes
Coma
Death

Signs and symptoms of withdrawal

Drug withdrawal symptoms can occur in anyone who has used diazepam for more than a couple of weeks and has stopped usage. There are several signs to look out for.

Some of the main symptoms to be aware of :

Depression
Irritability
Restlessness
Confusion
Tense muscles
Headaches
Sweating
Tremors
Muscle cramps
Anxiety
Insomnia
Panic

It is important to establish the extent of their problem and seek medical assistance with detoxification and potentially drug rehabilitation if necessary.

Overcoming Diazepam Addiction

Diazepam can be a dangerous drug to try to get clean from without the assistance of a medical team. This is especially important if the user has been taking the drug for over a month. A drug rehabilitation centre like T he Recovery Lodge can offer medication and therapy, which take some of the stress and pain out of the process. With the correct treatment and support, overcoming an addiction to benzodiazepines can be done. It is a process that takes more than a few weeks and requires hard work from everyone involved. Usually, detoxification followed by a combination of therapy and medically assisted treatment are the best first steps to recovery.

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