Valium is a prescription medication that is commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. It is a type of benzodiazepine that is classified as a mild tranquilizer because it has sedative, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant properties. Valium is not a highly addictive drug, but some people can eventually develop a physical and/or psychological dependency when Valium is taken over a long period of time. It is estimated that approximately 50% of prescribed patients on Valium are at risk of building up a tolerance and developing a dependency after six months of use. Those who abuse the drug by taking more than the prescribed dosage develop this dependency much faster.
The signs of Valium addiction happen when tolerance to Valium builds within the body, increasingly higher doses are needed to keep the user from experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Taking a higher dose than what is prescribed by a doctor is a certain sign of Valium abuse. Another warning sign of abuse is if a person resorts to obtaining Valium through unethical or illegal means such as getting prescriptions from multiple doctors, or purchasing Valium through online pharmacies. Due to hypnotic and sedative qualities of Valium, there are also a number of physical effects that could serve as warning signs of abuse. A person who is abusing Valium could potentially display one or more of the following symptoms:
A person wanting to stop taking Valium after any period of abuse should consult with a doctor before stopping use. Valium is a drug that should never be stopped abruptly, especially after long-term periods of abuse. Doing so can pose great health risks to the user. If a long-term Valium user were to suddenly halt their consumption of the drug, they could experience any of the following dangerous, and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms:
Due to the potential severity of some withdrawal symptoms, Valium detox should take place at a drug rehab facility under the supervision of a medical doctor. The safest method of quitting Valium involves the user taking gradually tapered-down doses of the drug until the user is no longer physically dependent and can safely cease taking Valium altogether.
Are you currently abusing Valium and need Valium addiction help? If so, we are here to help you before it is too late. We are here 24-hours a day to assist you in avoiding the pat that leads to addiction. Our number is always toll-free, so there is no reason to wait. Pick up the phone and call us today. View our Valium addiction video for more info.