Valium is the popular brand name of Diazepam, a benzodiazepine that is used to treat different anxiety conditions and also in managing other health conditions. The drug has the potential for abuse and addiction due to its properties. Physical tolerance can occur easily and higher doses may be required to feel the effects of anxiety med, which is why it is important to use Valium only as directed.
This issue can occur in different ways. Taking the drug in high doses and for longer than recommended raises the risk of dependence and addiction. The persons who abuse the drug try to enhance the effects by consuming it along with other substances like alcohol and similar drugs. Injecting or snorting the medication is also a form of abuse. Engaging in all this can lead to severe physiological and psychological impairment. Also, it becomes difficult to stop taking the drug without experiencing high forms of withdrawal symptoms. Valium abuse should be treated in a certain way or else the person could end up with seizures. Besides, treatment should definitely be sought in order to avoid the risk of overdose and death. It is highly important to learn the signs that indicate you or someone you know is abusing the drug and also get the suitable treatment options available.
How to recognize Valium abuse and addiction?
There are always ways to recognize if someone is addicted to Valium through some common signs. The earliest way to know that there is some issue is when the individual loses control of the doses being consumed and cannot function well without the drug. Behaviors like buying excess pills without the Rx, administering the drug other than as indicated, and trying to enhance it with other substances. Addiction is simply the end result of abusing the anxiety med.
Physically, the individual would display symptoms like dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, sedation, blurred vision, and loss of interest in sex. Other signs of Valium abuse include aggression, depression, seizures, hallucinations, tremors, loss of inhibition, and confusion to name a few.
Treatment options for Valium abuse
It is best treated by getting professional help. Simply going cold turkey and abruptly discontinuing the medication will result in life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, especially seizures. It is definitely possible to overcome the problem and lead a healthy life but this will take a lot of time and effort. The dangerous pattern of long-term problem can be broken in a safe environment by getting help at a rehabilitation center and through support groups. Involving friends and family ensures that there is lesser scope for the person to continue to abuse the anxiety pills. Other treatments include tapering the Valium dose or prescribing alternate drugs to deal with the benzodiazepine withdrawal. The healthcare provider would also include therapy for using non-medical relaxation techniques to prevent the occurrence of anxiety symptoms. The abuse should be treated in the early stages. The later the treatment the harder it is to recover quickly.
