Valium Uses

Valium’s primary use is to produce a calming effect in an individual and bring relaxation to the muscle skeletal. It’s a central nervous system depressant with high risk of potential abuse if not monitored carefully. Long-term use can also be dangerous in certain instances, especially if the level of tolerance increases, therefore needing more of the drug to produce the same initial effects. It can be used in many instances where sedation is necessary or in the treatment of certain health issues where an individual’s heart rate is accelerated (See History of Valium).

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 and could use Valium addiction help, 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. See this Valium addiction video.