Rehab for Valium Addiction in San Diego
Did you start taking the minimum dose, then a 10 mg pill (the most substantial amount manufactured) every morning, and within months ended up with 20 to 30 mg of Valium every day?
Do you think you may be addicted to Valium? Are you free-falling through a range of physical and mental symptoms that, despite popping pill after pill? Do you constantly feel like you’re about to have panic attacks, suffocating paranoia that everyone hates you, agoraphobia, migraines, constant dry retching, uncontrollable sobbing, hot and cold flushes, and heart palpitations?
Detoxing from Valium
The challenges of withdrawal from Diazepam
Diazepam can be even harder to come off than the more “glamourous” drugs like heroin and cocaine. Withdrawal depends on how much you’ve been taking and for how long, but it is potentially life-threatening. Withdrawal from heroin is challenging, but the seizures that come from stopping Valium use are mortal.
What is Valium
The nature of Valium and its challenges of Detox
Valium is a benzodiazepine used to treat hallucinations, anxiety, and agitation, among many other symptoms. It stimulates the release of the natural ‘reward’ chemical called “dopamine” in the brain. Scientists have revealed that it also acts on another brain pathway that makes patients drug addicted.
Why Valium is Addictive
Valium is from the Benzodiazepine family
BDZs (benzodiazepines) activate GABA, a neurotransmitter that increases dopamine release. It has been proposed that medicine such as Valium may be addictive because it works using the GABA circuit.
As Addictive as Heroin?
Although scientists state that Valium is not the same as illegal drugs like heroin, they suggest that both stimulate equivalent dopamine mechanisms. Further research could prompt pharmaceutical companies to redesign BDZ drugs like Valium and Xanax to exclude the addictive side effect.
Detox is crucial when healing from addiction.
Why People Abuse Valium
Millions of people use valium to treat wide-ranging medical problems such as panic attacks, anxiety insomnia, muscle spasms (such as a tic in one’s cheek or eyelid), alcoholic drinks withdrawal, and restless legs syndrome.
How Valium Abuse Started
Valium was one of the first ‘benzos,’ quickly became the pill for every ill through the early 1970s, prescribed in profligate amounts to anyone struggling with the hurdles of life. More than sixty percent of consumers were female, and Valium was soon dubbed ‘mother’s little helper.’
History of Valium
Valium and the other benzos are derived from chemical compounds, making some more addictive than heroin. Many suffer severe withdrawal symptoms because they are unfit to get a job, have stable relationships, or live independently. Some have also been left with permanent effects, including memory loss, trouble finishing sentences, excruciating pain, paranoia, seizure-type movements, muscle cramps, flu-like symptoms, morbid ideas, and dementia.
Valium overdosing’s legacy has touched everyone, from teenagers and poverty-stricken single mothers to middle-class divorcees and Hollywood stars. Some addicts even resort to suicide.
Despite guidelines dating back to the late 1980s, which warn doctors to limit prescribing this potent and controversial drug, clinicians have prescribed it to handle many hard-to-treat and hard-to-diagnose individuals.
There are now almost 200 different formulations of Valium-derived medications. While heroin users are sometimes offered substantial help to kick their addiction, benzodiazepine addicts receive relatively little support.
More than 450 versions of the Valium were subsequently marketed by other companies worldwide after Hoffmann La Roche lost its patent protection by the mid-1980s. Despite its multiple side effects, it became one of the world’s best-selling drugs. It is common to have compounding addictions with Valium, such as alcoholism.
The Dangers of Tapering off Valium
People don’t realize that someone is addicted because they’re managing to hide it. Secret addictions –such as addiction to Valium- are more common than you think. While dealing with addiction alone is admirable, patients are advised to seek medical help with any concerns about diazepam. At La Jolla Recovery, we understand and can attend valium detoxification, whether used solely or to taper from stimulants such as Ritalin or coming off alcohol. Because 12 steps might not be enough, reach out for a unique program to detox you from Valium correctly.
It can be dangerous to stop taking Valium abruptly; withdrawal and detox should be gradual, under medical supervision, such as that provided by La Jolla Recovery in San Diego. Our completely nonjudgmental clinicians will help you taper off Valium slowly. Valium withdrawal may be rough and uncomfortable. La Jolla Recovery has medication-assisted treatment to reduce physiological symptoms and increase positive Valium detox outcomes. You will realize how much of yourself was lost to Valium. But at that point, you will start feeling like your old self again, maybe realizing just how much you liked that person.
Get treatment for Valium addiction in San Diego at La Jolla Recovery
La Jolla Recovery has over a decade of experience in treating diazepam addiction and other mental conditions for which a Valium prescription was recommended in the first place. If you or someone you know is abusing diazepam (Valium) or struggling with an addiction, take the first step by reaching out to us. A space of tranquility and professional support awaits on the sunny beaches of La Jolla and Pacific Beach, San Diego. Coming from Texas, New York, Arizona, or out of state? We can help with the transition. Whether Benzo, Xanax, fentanyl, or alcohol are used together, let us provide a specific treatment program for you today.