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Stopping Valium use successfully requires a process called detoxification (detox) in which the drug is eliminated from the body in a safe manner, minimizing the risks of severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms.
A detox program is a critical first step for recovery as it allows Valium-dependent individuals to:
If you are considering making a change and no longer want to use Valium, treatment can be very helpful, and it begins with detox. Call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? today to learn more about embarking on a path to recovery.
A variety of withdrawal symptoms, both physical and psychological, may present themselves during Valium detox in varying degrees of severity.
While all are unpleasant, there are some that are serious and potentially life-threatening. Severe withdrawal symptoms may include:
Since Valium is eliminated slowly from the body, all symptoms may not present immediately after the last dose of Valium but up to a week later and cause serious complications once they do occur. This delay in the arrival of potentially severe health effects is one of the many reasons that withdrawal from Valium and other benzodiazepines is such a troublesome issue - and one that requires vigilant medical attention.
Due to the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms following a sudden stoppage or reduction of Valium use, one should never attempt to detox at home or without medical attention. Important to note is that any concurrent abuse of alcohol could make a withdrawal situation even more dangerous, so it's important to be honest with both yourself and with any potential treatment professional prior to embarking on recovery efforts.
Stopping or cutting down immediately (going "cold turkey") may be tempting for those who want to get clean and begin a program of recovery from Valium dependence, however what may seem to be an ideal and courageous decision could prove to be very painful and dangerous without getting proper help. Rapid cessation or reduction is advised against by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), with both urging the importance of seeking professional help, along with the recommendation that detox should involve a gradual reduction of Valium to reduce risks.
Another serious risk of experiencing Valium withdrawal symptoms is the potential for relapse. When attempting to detox at home a user may be unable to tolerate the symptoms of withdrawal and return to using Valium to prevent further agony.
A relapse will certainly delay efforts at recovery and can be prevented by having quick access to appropriate medical and psychological support that is usually available in detox programs.
It is normal to have fears about stopping use and the potential risks involved. Remember that Valium detox should never be attempted at home. For more information on detox from Valium and treatment options available in your area, please call to speak with a caring treatment support advisor at 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? today.
Detoxification from Valium, as discussed earlier, needs to occur under medical supervision due to the risks involved.
Quitting Valium "cold turkey" is dangerous, even in the care of a medical professional.Abrupt cessation of Valium use can be dangerous, even under the care of medical professionals; therefore a structured detox will most likely involve tapering in which the dosage of Valium is gradually reduced, minimizing medical risks and discomfort in patients.
During detox, a doctor may maintain a user on Valium and prescribe a tapered dosing regimen over a course of several weeks. This gradual reduction in Valium dose, as opposed to a sudden stoppage, allows:
In addition to the tapered reduction of Valium during detox, other drugs may be used to relieve some of the symptoms that characterize Valium withdrawal.
Patients may be prescribed medications to prevent and treat:
The primary objective of Valium detoxification is to:
Symptoms of Valium withdrawal begin in the days after the last dose and include the following:
The time needed to detox from Valium is determined by your physician and depends on factors such as:
A timeframe of 4-10 weeks of dose tapering has been recommended for a detox program. Your physician will monitor symptoms throughout and make adjustments as needed.
To ensure a more successful outcome, a Valium detox should not be rushed.
Individuals seeking detox from Valium may do so in an inpatient clinic or on an outpatient basis with close and careful monitoring by a physician and nursing staff.
The appropriate level of treatment depends on the individual presenting for detox, and in cases of long-term use or a history of large daily doses of Valium, an inpatient detox program may be recommended for closer monitoring 24 hours a day.
Inpatient detox facilities provide a safe and supportive environment with fewer stressors than one might encounter in an outpatient setting.
Regardless of the detox setting it is important to reduce the potential for stress, which can make detox a more difficult and agonizing experience leading to dropout and continued Valium use. In addition to treatment with medication, counseling services can provide extra support in coping with anxiety and other psychological symptoms during detox.
Outpatient psychological support can be helpful during detox from Valium and may include individual counseling, group therapy, or a combination of both.
Those recommended for outpatient detox services will likely meet with a physician who will make an assessment and prescribe a tapered dosing regimen accordingly.
Follow-up visits with the physician and nursing staff may be ordered to monitor withdrawal symptoms and adherence to the detox program.
Adjunct psychosocial treatment is especially helpful for those who experience anxiety, which is so commonly seen in Valium withdrawal, and can help prevent a relapse. Self-help groups are also a helpful resource found in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
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There are several factors to be considered when seeking to detox from Valium. Those who have used Valium for months or years and/or used Valium at high doses may require inpatient treatment for safety reasons, while those with a shorter-term of use at lower doses may be recommended for outpatient detox.
All told, completion of a full inpatient or residential treatment program can last for several months and, therefore, require a greater financial and time commitment. Insurance providers may cover some of the costs of detox and should be consulted if considering an inpatient facility.
Call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? today to receive additional information on locating the detox program that is right for you.
