What Will Treatment for Valium Addiction Look Like?

Treatment for Valium addiction will most likely begin with a period of detox. During detox, patients will be closely monitored and will receive help for side effects. Once the body has overcome the more difficult parts of withdrawal, the psychological aspects will be addressed. This phase includes counseling, behavior modification and support groups. It will address the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that led to the patient abusing drugs in the first place and will develop strategies on how they can prevent relapse in the future. Drug relapse prevention helps individuals to think ahead and prepare for how they will handle the pressures that might lead them back to addiction. It gives them the tools and strategies to be able to approach their new life with confidence.

How Can I Prevent Relapse After Treatment?

Having a solid support system during and after treatment is essential to your success. You don’t have to go at it alone. Recovering from drug addiction can be a long and hard process, but surrounded with people who can offer you support, encouragement, counsel, and accountability, it’s a little less tough. The more positive influences you have in your life, the better your chances are for recovery.

Support can come from:

• Family members
• Close friends
• Therapists or counselors
• Other recovering addicts
• Healthcare providers
• People from your faith community

Drug Addiction Support Groups

Joining a recovery support group will give you the benefit of sharing your trials and temptations with people who truly understand. Spending time with peers who are going through the same things that you are can be very healing. 12-Step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous are a powerful tool for those struggling with substance abuse. Narcotics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from drug addiction. There are many options for addiction support groups – the most important thing is that you join one of them.

Valium Addiction Help

If you are struggling with Valium addiction, do not try to recover alone. Letting others into your life can be the key to overcoming your drug addiction once and for all. Living a drug free life may seem like an overwhelming task, but with a team of supportive people around you, it is possible.

If you have questions about overcoming Valium addiction, please call our toll free number today. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about treatment and recovery. Call us today.  

Understanding the Difference Between Dependence and Addiction

While the terms “dependence” and “addiction” are often used interchangeably, they are not synonymous.  Dependence occurs with the body’s increased physical tolerance of a substance. After a period of time, the body’s response to a particular drug (prescription or otherwise) increases, and more of the drug is required to achieve the desired results. Withdrawal symptoms will occur when a person who is dependent upon a drug ceases taking the drug. Addiction refers to a person’s psychological and behavioral reaction to dependence, which is usually compulsive and without regard for their own or others’ health and well-being.

Side Effects of Valium Addiction

Side effects of Valium abuse are obvious. Because of the nature of these side effects, a person using Valium or other benzodiazepines is advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery, as mental judgment and reaction are compromised. Some of the most common side effects of Valium addiction are as follows:

• Drowsiness
• Lethargy
• Mental confusion
• Vertigo
• Impaired judgment
• Slurred speech
• Incontinence
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping

These side effects may be exacerbated by alcohol use, and thus it is advised that any person taking Valium or other benzodiazepines refrain from drinking alcohol.

Symptoms of Valium Withdrawal

A person suspicious that he or she may be dependent upon Valium should immediately call a doctor or other professional in order to begin treatment. Because Valium is often a secondary drug of abuse, it is important that a person struggling with multi-drug addiction immediately seek help, as addiction treatment differs between drugs. Some common Valium withdrawal symptoms are as follows:

• Increased anxiety
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Restlessness
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches

It is not advised that a person dependent upon Valium abruptly stop taking the drug, as withdrawal symptoms may be severe. A professional treatment facility can assist in gradually decreasing the drug and lower the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, a treatment facility can offer psychotherapy in order to relieve underlying anxiety.

Valium Addiction Help

If you or someone you know struggles with Valium addiction as a result of either medical or non-medical use, we can help. We can outline treatment options suited to your needs. Call our toll free number today.  We are available 24 hours a day and are here to help when you’re ready. Don’t give another day to Valium dependence. Call us today.

Signs of Valium Addiction

Research has shown that over 50% of people who are taking Valium for more than six months show signs of addiction, including:

• Lack of coordination
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Decrease in memory
• Blunt emotions
• Confusion
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Difficulty in focusing
• Aches, pains and other physical ailments

To successful discontinue using Valium, it is recommended that a person seek medical supervision to ensure that they do not experience withdrawal symptoms, which may include:

• Insomnia
• Diaphoresis (sweating)
• High blood pressure or increased heart rate
• Tremors and seizures
• Hyper-anxiety
• Vomiting, cramps, or diarrhea
• Irritability and depression
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Vision problems

Symptoms of Valium Overdose

Concerned friends or family members should be on the watch for symptoms of Valium overdose in their loved one. Some commonly reported symptoms of a Valium overdose include:

• Confusion
• Coma
• Slow reflexes
• Bluish-colored lips and fingernails
• Blurred vision
• Labored breathing
• Confusion
• Double vision
• Drowsiness
• Excitability
• Hiccups
• Rapid side-to-side movement of the eyes (nystagmus)
• Rash
• Stomach upset
• Stupor (lack of alertness)
• Tremor
• Uncoordinated movement
• Weakness

Intervention Tips

Many people are aware of interventions, but most probably do not understand the underlying concept of an intervention. In the early 1960s, Vernon Johnson, a Reverend in an Episcopal church in Minnesota was a recovering alcoholic. He brought a group of fellow churchgoers together to discuss ways to persuade alcoholics to accept help before the disease destroyed their lives.

These discussions led to the realization that one of the primary obstacles addicts face is the inability to recognize the effects their addiction is having on them and their loved ones. The church group then designed an intervention process. This preceded the founding of the Johnson Institute, which was formed for the purpose of spreading the word about the “Minnesota Model” of intervention and removing additional barriers to treatment.

Here are some tips for having an intervention:

• Invite only supportive people. If some people have resentment issues with the addict, the intervention may become more accusatory and condemning than focused on advocating that person’s recovery.
• Remain calm throughout the intervention even if the discussion gets heated and the addict is defensive. Prepare for resistance.

Maintain a reasonable attitude and a firm, yet calm tone of voice.

• Insist that you are confident in the person’s full recovery and that you will support him or her in the process.
• Be prepared with specific examples about how that person’s drug use has negatively affected you and others.
• Research treatment options so that if the person agrees to enter treatment, you have some choices readily available.

Treatment for Valium Addiction

There are several treatment options for Valium addiction, but two main categories of treatment are inpatient and outpatient. The following is some brief information about both:

• Inpatient Treatment – With inpatient (or residential) treatment, the person has a place to stay and can get away from the chaos and temptations that go along with coming off an addiction. Around-the-clock care is provided by a staff of medical professionals and counselors. Inpatient treatment is recommended for individuals with a strong addiction who need to go through detox and deal with behavioral and psychological issues that may be part of the addiction.
• Outpatient Treatment – Outpatient treatment is less expensive, but it is also less intensive. The individual is able come and go from the treatment center and can continue to go to school or work. He or she will attend meetings and therapy sessions for ongoing recovery. Outpatient treatment is recommended for people who have already been through some type of inpatient treatment or those who are experiencing the beginnings of addiction.

Valium Intervention Help

Intervention is an effective strategy for many people who are addicted to drugs. However, planning and conducting an intervention is not always easy, and we can help. Please call our toll free number today. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Valium addiction, treatment, and intervention.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, the benzodiazepines account for about 61 million prescriptions a year. While Valium had traditional been prescribed more often today, the top-selling tranquilizer in the United States in Xanax.

How Do They Work?

The primary therapeutic benefit of the benzodiazepines is to reduce anxiety and induce sleep. What makes this drug class different from other depressant drugs is that BZDs target receptors in the limbic region of the brain instead of depressing activity throughout the central nervous system. The limbic region of the brain is responsible for regulating and controlling emotions, so the BZD can effectively treat anxiety without impacting the entire body.

Differences Between Valium and Xanax

Both drugs are very similar, however the differences include potency, how quickly they go to work and the length of time they remain active in the body.

• One of the differences between Valium and Xanax is in the potency. For example, 0.5 milligrams (mg) of Xanax is approximately equivalent to 10mg of Valium.
• Xanax acts more quickly than Valium.
• A single dose of Xanax typically is eliminated from the body within 6 – 12 hours, while the equivalent dose of Valium remains in the system for upwards to 100 hours.

BZD Side Effects

Taken as directed for a limited period of time, both Valium and Xanax have few side effects. The two greatest risks of using either Valium or Xanax are dependence and addiction. Many users, who are receiving the benefit of the drugs blocking their feelings of anxiety, do not want to risk the reoccurrence of anxious feelings, so they continue to use the drug on an ongoing basis versus just during peak anxiety periods.

Learning to live without the daily intake of Valium or Xanax is not something that an anxiety-ridden person considers. This perceived ongoing need for the drug is what leads to addiction.

Valium Withdrawal Symptoms

The amount of Valium you take and the length of time that you have been taking Valium has a direct impact on withdrawal symptoms that can include but are not limited to:

• Dizziness
• Personality changes
• Sensitivity to sound or light
• Numbness or tingling
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• A rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Heart palpitations
• Hallucinations
• Memory loss
• Panic attacks
• Fever, sweating
• Headaches
• Anxiety, tension, depression
• Insomnia, restlessness, irritability or confusion

Get Help for Valium Abuse

Effectively managing Valium use is often difficult without proper medical supervision and support. If you or someone you know is addicted to Valium, call our toll free number today at (888) 371-5703. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Valium addiction treatment. We are here to help.

When taken as prescribed, most people respond to Valium with few side effects; the most common of which include drowsiness, fatigue and minor issues with coordination.

Both alcohol and Valium depress the central nervous system, therefore, drinking alcohol while taking Valium may increase the risk of serious reactions. Studies have demonstrated that the combined use of alcohol and Valium caused memory problems and erratic behaviors in some people.

Further, since Valium is sometimes prescribed to assist with alcohol withdrawal, combining alcohol and Valium would be counterproductive of the goal to withdrawal from alcohol. In fact, when alcohol and Valium are combined, a person may be more sensitive than usual to the effects of the alcohol.

When combined with alcohol, other potential Valium side effects include:

• Confusion
• Double or blurred vision
• Headaches
• Bladder or bowel control problems
• Changes in sex drive
• Nausea
• Salivation changes
• Slurred speech
• Shakiness (tremors)
• Difficulty passing urine
• Vertigo

Valium Abuse

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Valium is a benzodiazepine and a controlled substance (Schedule IV in the United States). It is a potent sedative – hypnotic (CNS depressant), and is one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. It is also one of the top five most abused benzodiazepines, and misuse can lead to both psychological dependence and/or physical addiction.

Risks of Valium/Alcohol Interaction

Valium depresses the nervous system much like alcohol and is abused by all segments of society. Valium is both physically and psychologically addicting and when adding alcohol to this cycle, it is considered one of the toughest addictions to break.

Both Valium and alcohol have the potential to cause severe emotional and physical dependence in some patients and these individuals may find it exceedingly difficult to stop using.

Statistics show that a single dose of Valium in combination with alcohol can be fatal. Symptoms of a combined alcohol/Valium condition include:

• Lethargy
• Somnolence
• Confusion
• Decreased reflexes
• Coma

Immediate medical attention is required to assist a person who is experiencing any of these Valium/alcohol symptoms.

Get Help for Valium Abuse

Effectively managing Valium use is often difficult without proper medical supervision and support. If you or someone you know is addicted to Valium, call our toll free number today at (888) 371-5703. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Valium addiction treatment. We are here to help.

• Classic – Before the actual pain begins, the individual experiences an aura which is a visual sensory illusions, such as jagged bands of light obscuring vision, or a shimmering light around the edges of objects. Other senses, such as hearing and smell, may also be affected.
• Ocular – These migraines affect vision and can include seeing flashes of light, zigzagging patterns, blind spots or stars.
• Retinal – These migraines typically affect one eye and may cause short-lasting, diminished vision or blindness.
• Basilar Artery – These involve the basilar artery in the brainstem, and can cause pain, vertigo, speech and vision problems and poor coordination.
• Rebound – These headaches occur when pain medication is overused.

Many migraines, regardless of type, are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Although there’s no cure, medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

Treatment Options for Migraines

The categories of medications used to treat migraines include:

• Beta-blockers to relax blood vessels
• Calcium channel blockers to reduce the amount of blood vessel constriction
• Antidepressants which have been shown to be effective in preventing migraines
• Anticonvulsants, recently approved by the FDA, for preventing migraines
• Pain relievers to treat the pain associated with migraines

Valium and Migraines

Valium depresses the nervous system and provides pain relief. For many, taking Valium as directed has few side effects and seems to work effectively. In a recent survey, over 70 percent of migraine sufferers who took Valium for relief indicated that they would recommend Valium as an effective treatment for migraines, noting that Valium was easy to use and had fewer side effects.

The risks associated with Valium use for migraines are tolerance and abuse. The longer a person takes Valium, the greater the potential that they will build a tolerance and thus require an increased dosage to get the benefits they initially received. Further, when in the midst of a migraine episode, rational thought is often replaced by the desire to relieve the pain which sets the stage for a person to abuse Valium as a treatment option. Keep in mind that one of the withdrawal effects of Valium is headaches, so a person can enter into a vicious cycle of migraine pain, followed by Valium abuse, followed by a headache associated with withdrawal, then back to more Valium use.

Get Help for Valium Abuse

Effectively managing Valium use is often difficult without proper medical supervision and support. If you or someone you know is addicted to Valium, call our toll free number today at (888) 371-5703. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Valium addiction treatment. We are here to help.

However, long-term use of benzodiazepines can cause many unwanted effects, including:

• Poor memory and cognition
• Depression
• Increased anxiety
• Dependence

Valium Abuse

Many research studies have shown that benzodiazepines are no longer effective after a few weeks or months of regular use. Because a person becomes tolerant to their benefit, they may in fact actually experience withdrawal symptoms even though they are continuing to take the drug.

In fact, other research has shown that over 50 percent of people who are taking Valium for more than six months show signs of addiction including:

• Lack of coordination
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Decrease in memory
• Blunt emotions
• Confusion
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Difficulty in focusing
• Aches, pains and other physical ailments

Valium Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms

To successfully discontinue using Valium, it is recommended that a person seek medical supervision to ensure that they do not experience withdrawal symptoms that may include:

• Insomnia
• Diaphoresis (sweating)
• High blood pressure or increased heart rate
• Tremors and seizures
• Hyper-anxiety
• Vomiting, cramps or diarrhea
• Irritability and depression
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Vision problems

Get Help for Valium Abuse

With proper medical supervision and support, there is a high rate of success in withdrawal from Valium. If you or someone you know is addicted to Valium, call our toll free number today at (888) 371-5703. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Valium addiction treatment. We are here to help.

Diazepam History

Diazepam (Valium) was developed by Leo Sternbach of the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Hoffmann-La Roche in the early 1960s and approved for use in 1963. Its predecessor, chlordiazepoxide, was two and a half times less effective and Diazepam quickly surpassed it in sales. Since 1969 Valium was the most sold pharmaceutical drug in the United States with a peak in 1978 when 2.3 billion tablets were sold. In therapeutic doses Diazepam has much stronger sedative effect as compared to barbiturates.

The benzodiazepines gained popularity among medical professionals as an improvement upon barbiturates and are far more sedating at therapeutic doses. The benzodiazepines are also far less dangerous; death rarely results from Diazepam overdose, except in cases where it is consumed with large amounts of other depressants (such as alcohol or other sedatives). It is also much safer to use with very rare cases of lethal overdose, which has usually resulted from mixing Diazepam with other depressing substances such as alcohol or sedatives. It is used for the treatment of seizures and relief of muscle spasms in some neurological diseases including stiff-person syndrome.

What is Diazepam and How is it Used?

Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal and seizures. It is also used to relieve muscle spasms and to provide sedation before medical procedures. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines that act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA). The dosage of this medication depends on the level of your condition and response to therapy.

Diazepam is not of value in the treatment of psychotic patients and should not be employed in lieu of appropriate treatment. As is true of most preparations containing CNS-acting drugs, patients receiving Diazepam should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.

As with other agents which have anticonvulsant activity, when Diazepam is used as an adjunct in treating convulsive disorders, the possibility of an increase in the frequency and/or severity of grand mal seizures may require an increase in the dosage of standard anticonvulsant medication. Abrupt withdrawal of Diazepam in such cases may also be associated with a temporary increase in the frequency and/or severity of seizures.
Since Diazepam has a central nervous system depressant effect, patients should be advised against the simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and other CNS-depressant drugs during Diazepam therapy.

Withdrawal symptoms of the barbiturate type have occurred after the discontinuation of benzodiazepines.

Diazepam Side Effects

If any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur, it is imperative that a doctor is notified immediately:

• Mental/mood changes (e.g., memory problems, agitation, hallucinations)
• Slurred speech
• Clumsiness
• Trouble walking
• Decreased/increased interest in sex
• Tremor
• Trouble urinating
• Sleep disturbances

Serious side effects involve:

• Stomach/abdominal pain
• Persistent nausea
• Vomiting
• Yellowing eyes or skin
• Dark urine
• Persistent sore throat
• Fever

Although rare, symptoms of a serious allergic reaction could include:

• Rash
• Itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat
• Severe dizziness
• Trouble breathing

Diazepam Addiction Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with Diazepam addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5703. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions on Diazepam and treatment.

1. Lack of sleep (e.g., insomnia)
2. Disturbed sleep (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea)
3. Excessive sleep (e.g., narcolepsy)

In most cases, sleep disorders can be easily managed once they are properly diagnosed.

Sleep Apnea Defined

Sleep apnea is interrupted breathing during sleep. It usually occurs because of a mechanical problem in the windpipe, but it also can indicate a neurological disorder involving nerve cells (neurons). As people age, muscle tone relaxes which may cause the windpipe to collapse. This condition called obstructive sleep apnea, results in loud snoring and blocked airflow through the windpipe that lasts from 10 to 60 seconds. It may appear that the person is gasping or snorting. When this occurs, the brain quickly reacts to the sudden lack of oxygen, the muscles tighten and the windpipe opens.
Narrow nasal passages, enlarged tonsils and obesity are factors that may contribute to obstructive sleep apnea. The condition may also be related to the use of alcohol, tobacco or sedatives.

Patients with sleep apnea lose sleep because every time the windpipe closes, the person has to wake up enough to contract those muscles and resume breathing. As a result, the sleep cycle can be interrupted as many as 100 times a night. In addition, every time the windpipe closes, the brain is deprived of oxygen. This lack of oxygen eventually can cause morning headaches and decreased mental function. People who have sleep apnea are at increased risk for heart disease and stroke.

Sleep Apnea and Valium Use

Patients with severe sleep apnea are often tempted to use Valium or other benzodiazepines because it allows them to sleep through the apnic episodes without waking to consciousness. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants that can affect the control of ventilation during sleep. The tranquilizer allows the person to think they received four hours of uninterrupted sleep, and they may even feel more refreshed upon awakening from such sleep. But that is only an illusion.

During the drugged sleep, the patient exerts considerable unconscious physical effort in overcoming the obstruction, eventually finally gasping and falling back into a deeper sleep until the next attempt at breathing occurs. This effort comes at a huge physiological price due to the lack of oxygen in the system during the effort. While the patient wakes after the effects of the drug feeling like he got some sleep, he really has suffered quite a bit of long-term damage.

It is axiomatic among physicians that benzodiazepines should NOT be given to patients with obstructive sleep apnea because of the long-term damage the prolonged apnic episodes cause. Long-term use of benzodiazepines in patients with sleep apnea causes elevated blood pressure, which may lead to stroke, heart attack and even early death.

However, the saving grace to benzodiazepines is that at normal doses, the patient can still muster the muscular effort necessary to eventually take a breath or at least to awaken sufficiently for this to happen. That is, benzodiazepines will prolong the apnic episode but not indefinitely.

Valium use can alter the sleep architecture by reducing the amounts of restorative rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and increasing the non-restorative sleep patterns. This can result in daytime drowsiness and poor cognitive function. Valium also depresses the tone of respiratory muscles, leading to sleep apnea.

Weight loss, decreased alcohol, tobacco and sedative use, sleeping on one’s side, elevation of the head or breathe right strips are all remedies that can help in reducing sleep apnea.

Sleeping Pill Alternatives over Valium

Patients with treatable conditions such as enlarged tonsils or a large deviated septum may benefit from surgery. Patients with sleep apnea should never take sleeping pills because they can prevent the person from waking up enough to start breathing again.

However, as the medical world continues in their research of sleep disorders, a big breakthrough in sleeping pills of medications is beginning with drugs such as flurazepam (Dalmane). These medicines were an important discovery because they did not pose the dangers of the anesthetic medications nor did they have the side effects of the older medications. However, all of these sleeping pills were derivatives and “distant cousins” of Valium. They are still on the market and may be very effective for certain populations.

Presently there are two sleeping medications that have proven to be advancements in the category of sleeping pills and as improvements over Valium: Ambien and Sonata. These are improvements on the Valium derivatives because they are effective without having the sedating or addicting qualities of the older sleeping pills.

Valium Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a Valium addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5703. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions on Valium treatment and addiction.

Anxiety Disorders and Valium

Anxiety disorders are illnesses that load people’s lives with overwhelming worry and fear that are chronic and unremitting and can grow progressively worse.

Depending on the type of anxiety, a person can experience several possible anxiety symptoms, including:

• Feeling shaky, jittery or nervous
• Feeling tense, fearful or apprehensive
• Avoiding certain places or activities because of fear
• A pounding or racing heart or trouble catching your breath
• Unexplained sweating or trembling
• Fear of losing control, going crazy or dying

Valium is approved for anxiety treatment. Valium is not for “everyday anxiety” and is recommended only for short-term use. Other anxiety medications (such SSRIs, a certain type of antidepressants) are more appropriate for long-term use.

Valium and Alcohol Withdrawal

Those who have developed a tolerance for alcohol find withdrawal symptoms agonizing to deal with. Stopping alcohol “cold turkey” is not always a good idea. In fact, it can be very dangerous. People who drink heavily or frequently may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking alcohol too quickly. Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Slight shakiness (the “shakes”)
• Alcohol cravings
• Nervousness
• Depression
• Clammy skin

More severe symptoms may include:

• Seizures
• Delirium tremens (“DTs”), a group of symptoms including:
  • Confusion
  • Agitation
  • Hallucinations
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• A very rapid heart rate (tachycardia)

Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening. It should always be done under a healthcare provider’s supervision, and hospitalization is often necessary. Valium can help with agitation, shakiness and delirium tremens associated with alcohol withdrawal.

Valium and Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of a muscle or group of muscles. While not usually dangerous, muscle spasms can be uncomfortable and painful. Valium is useful for treating muscle spasms due to the following causes:

• Joint or muscle inflammation
• Injury
• Cerebral palsy
• Paraplegia
• Athetosis (a movement disorder of the hands and feet)
• Stiff-man syndrome (a rare neurological disorder)

Valium and Seizures

Valium is approved to treat seizures. However, it is not approved to be used alone. Instead, it is used along with other seizure medications. It can be useful for stopping a seizure that is particularly difficult to control.

Veterinary Use

Diazepam is used in animals as a sedative, anticonvulsant and to treat certain behavior disorders such as anxiety. It may also be used for its effect of relaxing both skeletal muscles (muscles used in movement) and smooth muscles (muscles of the digestive system and urinary bladder).

In cats, it has been used as an appetite stimulant. It should be used with extreme caution in animals that have liver disease or are aggressive. Usage may cause birth defects. It’s important to be aware of certain behavior modifications when issuing Valium to your pet and to contact a veterinarian if these issues occur:

• Behavior changes
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Depression
• Jaundice (yellowing of the gums, skin or whites of the eyes)
• Weakness
• Pale gums
• An increased tendency to bruise or bleed
• Lack of coordination
• Difficulty breathing

Valium Usage as a Pre-execution Sedative

In a common but little-known execution scenario, at least 19 of the country’s 38 death penalty states offer sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs, such as Valium, to condemned inmates. “It helps keep the inmate calm and we think that’s good, not just for the inmate but for the staff as well,” said Brian Hauswirth, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Corrections.

The practice does not violate national ethics standards for doctors and nurses who prescribe or administer the sedatives but makes some opponents of the death penalty uneasy because it involves doctors in putting people to death.

Condemned inmates in 11 states have received sedatives or anti-anxiety drugs before executions going back at least 12 years, according to a review by The Associated Press.

Valium Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a Valium addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5703. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions on Valium treatment and addiction.