Valium Overdose Facts and Statistics

1. Symptoms and Signs of Valium Overdose
2. Causes of Valium Overdose
3. When to Get Medical Help
4. How to Avoid a Valium Overdose
5. Valium Overdose Treatment
6. Recovering from Valium Overdose

Valium Overdose Symptoms and Dangers

A Valium overdose can be fatal. Signs and symptoms of overdose warrant immediate medical assistance through a call to 911 or rapid access to a hospital emergency room.

Overall, overdose symptoms reflect central nervous system impairments caused by the depressant and sedative effects of Valium.

Symptoms and Signs of Valium Overdose

The chief characteristics of a critical benzodiazepine overdose are depressed respiration and cardiac functioning, typically related to a lack of oxygen and poor circulation.

Symptoms can include:

Depressed respiration and cardiac functioning can also result in unconsciousness, stupor, coma and death.

Causes of Valium Overdose

Polydrug use is the number one cause of all overdose fatalities. Polydrug use greatly complicates the effects of Valium and contributes significantly to overdose involving Valium.

Polydrug use can cause:

• Unconsciousness.
• Coma.
• Stupor.
• Brain and organ damage.
• Death.

When combined with Valium, all sedating drugs such as alcohol, opioids, and other benzodiazepines can produce severe and prolonged respiratory distress and heart problems.

There are also other prescription drugs, illegal drugs, over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements that cause overdose when used with Valium.

The following are examples of adverse interactions and is not intended to be an all-inclusive list.

Alcohol with Valium

Alcohol with Valium is a frequently abused combination that can lead to overdose. They have similar sedative and depressant effects and are misguidedly used to enhance the effects of the other.

Alcohol consumption, however, can impede the metabolism of Valium causing elevated amounts to remain in the system as alcohol is consumed.

Opioids/Opiates with Valium

When used with opioids or opiates such as methadone, OxyContin, etc., Valium increases the toxic effects of those drugs upon the central nervous system.

Concurrently abusing these substances with Valium could decrease the threshold at which the inherent dangers of the opiate/opioid drug are experienced--even if a person has previously exhibited a tolerance for these drugs on their own.

Other Polydrug Interactions with Overdose Potential

• Antidepressants.
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression.
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression.
• Antihistamines in cough and cold remedies.
• Other benzodiazepines.
• Antipsychotics / Neuroleptics.
• Anticonvulsants.
• Herbal supplements.
  • Kava Kava.
  • Valerian.
• Heart and blood pressure medications.
• HIV/AIDS medications.

When to Get Medical Help

Emergency medical services should be sought immediately when an overdose is suspected or if signs appear.

One should seek emergency assistance from paramedics through 911 or a hospital emergency room.

To aid medical personnel, you should try to provide:

• Information about how much Valium was taken.
• During what time period was the Valium taken.
• The medicine bottle, if there is a prescription.
• Information about any other substance taken or typically taken by the overdose victim.

How to Avoid a Valium Overdose

The most effective way to prevent overdose is to:

• Use Valium only through prescription and as prescribed.
• Refrain from all other substances that can lead to overdose when mixed with Valium.

You should also have a frank discussion with your prescribing health care professional about:

• Alcohol use.
• Prescription medications.
• Other drugs.
• Herbal supplements you take can help prevent Valium overdose.

You can also avoid an overdose by seeking help if you have started taking Valium without a prescription, or in greater amounts or more frequently than prescribed.

Speak to a treatment support team member about Valium addiction treatment options, 24/7, at 1-888-993-3112Who Answers?.

Valium Overdose Treatment

Recovering from Valium Overdose

Recovery efforts are best determined by the cause of overdose. If intentional, psychiatric services are needed.

If an overdose is intentional, psychiatric services are needed.When coupled with a history of Valium misuse, care should include dual diagnosis services (simultaneous mental health and substance treatment). Intentional overdose suggests suicidal tendencies and warrants psychiatric hospitalization to manage the crisis.

An unintentional overdose is without suicidal intent and is typically a substance abuse issue--consequently, Valium addiction treatment is certainly indicated as the patient recovers.

Treatment can be done in various settings; however, an overdose typically indicates severe use, and therefore, warrants an inpatient or residential program stay.

These can include private rehabilitation options in resort-like locations, featuring spa-like luxury amenities and executive facilities that enable executives to continue their professional responsibilities.