Is Valium Addictive? Abuse, Symptoms, & Treatments

What Conditions Does Valium Treat?

Valium, which works under the brand name, diazepam, generally treats chronic anxiety, sleeping problems, and certain medical issues, including seizures and muscle spasms. It may also be prescribed for sedative effects before a medical procedure. Valium comes in many forms, including tablets, gels, oral solutions, and injections. It is generally only prescribed for short periods of time.²

Valium treats the following conditions:

• Anxiety disorders
• Acute alcohol withdrawal
• Major depressive disorder
• Status epilepticus (continuous seizures)
• Muscle spasms
• Sedation before anesthesia
• Skeletal muscle spasms and stiffness

Is Valium Addictive?

Valium can be addictive, and users and their loved ones must consider the impact of this risk before using this substance. Someone may be more prone to abuse or addiction if they have a history of substance dependence, co-occurring mental health issues, or poor distress tolerance skills. Addictive tendencies can occur gradually over time but may also happen quickly.

The difference between addiction and dependence is that addiction refers to a cluster of symptoms related to chronically using substances and dependence refers to the psychological/physical effects of becoming tolerant to a substance. Someone with an addiction will continue using substances despite potential consequences or relationship problems.³

Valium Abuse & Addiction

After taking Valium, people may experience immediate effects of drowsiness, relaxation, reduced pain, and a sense of calmness. Side effects can include feeling sleepy, mood changes, confusion, or problems with coordination. When abused, Valium can produce a sense of euphoria. If someone develops a tolerance to Valium (which can happen quickly), they must take higher amounts to achieve the same effects. Someone who experiences Valium withdrawal symptoms will experience unpleasant physical symptoms if they stop or reduce the amount taken.

Physical Symptoms of Valium Addiction

Abusing Valium can lead to changes in body functions related to brain and nerve activity, heartbeat, digestion, and respiration. How long it takes for someone to get addicted to Valium varies on individual factors, including how much Valium someone is taking, how long they’ve been taking it, past history of abusing substances, and individual mental health factors.

Physical symptoms of Valium addiction include:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Forgetfulness
• Sleep disturbances
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Heightened anxiety
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Nightmares
• Poor judgment
• Seizures
• Blood in urine or stool

Behavioral Signs of Valium Addiction

If someone is addicted to Valium, they will experience personality changes and disruptions in daily life. The severity of these symptoms ranges on a scale, but untreated addiction often progresses over time. The more tolerant someone is on Valium, the more of the drug they will need to achieve their desired effects. Addiction symptoms may be magnified if the person is also abusing other drugs.

Behavioral signs of Valium addiction include:

• Abusing Valium: Addiction occurs when someone continues using drugs despite wanting to stop or reduce use. Abuse also refers to taking drugs illicitly or outside of the normal parameters of a prescription.
• Financial difficulties: Addiction can lead to money problems, and this is one of the first signs that someone may be struggling with substance use.
• Relationship problems: Drug abuse often affects relationships, as it can be hard for the individual to stay present or attuned to the needs of others.
• Issues at school or work: Taking, using, and recovering from the effects of Valium can take a toll on daily functioning, which may affect one’s overall productivity.

Psychological Symptoms of Valium Addiction

Both short-term and long-term abuse of Valium can result in psychological symptoms of addiction. There isn’t an exact formula for how long it takes someone to get addicted, and not everyone who uses Valium gets addicted to it. That said, addiction tends to be insidious, and someone may not realize how much they’re struggling at first.

Psychological symptoms of Valium addiction include:

• Irritability
• Disorientation
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Heightened cravings
• Feeling “obsessed” with getting Valium
• Apathy and anhedonia

Causes of Valium Addiction

There isn’t a universal cause of addiction. However, benzodiazepines are known for their high addictive potential. They enhance the effect of GABA, which is associated with hypnotic sedative effects. Over time, someone can rely on this effect to function “normally” or to feel good. Long-term use of benzodiazepines and simultaneous abuse of other drugs likely increase the risk of addiction.⁴

Potential causes of Valium addiction include:

Misusing Valium

People can misuse Valium by taking more than prescribed, buying the drug off the street, hoarding pills to take larger doses at a single time, visiting multiple doctors, forging prescriptions, or attempting to lose prescriptions to seek more medication. Snorting or injecting Valium are other ways people may misuse this medication. That said, it’s still possible to get addicted to Valium even without abusing it.

Environment

Living in a stressful environment or experiencing high levels of stress can lead to a substance use disorder. Research shows that trauma and addiction are closely linked- people may turn to certain drugs to self-medicate mental health symptoms. While this strategy can provide short-term relief, it often exacerbates mental health issues and can cause even more trauma. That said, you could have trauma and a less-than-ideal environment and not end up with a substance use issue.

Genetic Factors

It’s well-known that addiction often runs in families. People with substance use often have a first-degree relative who experiences similar struggles. Studies show that at least half of a person’s vulnerability to drug addiction can be attributed to genetic factors.⁵ Research on this topic will probably continue evolving.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Someone with a co-occurring mental health issue, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, may be at a greater risk of having an addiction. Substances often provide a self-medicating effect- getting high offers temporary relief, even if it’s short-lived. Over time, however, most people find that their addiction worsens their mental health state.

What Are the Effects of Valium Abuse?

All addictions can impact someone’s mental and physical health. With that, Valium abuse is dangerous, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. In some cases, the effects can be fatal. If someone purchases Valium illicitly, they must also be aware of the risk of the drug being laced with fentanyl.

Valium use can cause:

• Tremors
• Vertigo
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Reduced reflexes
• Low blood pressure
• Lethargy
• Low muscle tone
• Ataxia (a degenerative disease of the nervous system)
• Overdose

Valium Withdrawal Symptoms

When someone addicted to Valium suddenly stops taking the drug, they will experience benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms range from mildly unpleasant to incredibly distressing. Because they are so painful, many people continue taking benzodiazepines or other drugs to curb this difficult experience. In severe cases, benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of Valium withdrawal may include:⁶

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fevers
• Concentration problems
• Sleep problems
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Unsteady legs
• Tingling in the hands and feet
• Panic attacks
• Appetite changes
• Increased sensitivity to noise and sights
• Blurred vision
• Anxiety
• Cramping

Drugs Commonly Used with Valium

People may use Valium with other drugs, including alcohol, stimulants, opioids, cannabis, and other benzodiazepines. Sometimes Valium is used to “heighten” the effect of other drugs or help with the comedown associated with withdrawal. It’s important to note that mixing Valium with other substances is dangerous and can increase the risk of overdose and death.

Treating Valium Addiction

Valium addiction treatment is often multifaceted. Addressing symptoms requires understanding the severity of the addiction and its function in someone’s life. Successful recovery is possible, but it’s also common for people to experience relapses along the way. Some people can stop using Valium on their own, but others may need professional treatment.

Treatment for Valium addiction may include:

Therapy for Valium Addiction

One of the main benefits of therapy for addiction is feeling supported during this vulnerable time. A therapist can provide you with reassurance and structured guidance for overcoming cravings and coping with stress productively. It’s important to work with a specialist who understands addiction as well as any other underlying issues you’re experiencing. There are numerous in-person and online therapy options available for someone seeking help.

Therapy methods that can provide effective treatment in managing addictive tendencies include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for substance abuse focuses on changing negative thought patterns to improve mood and behavioral responses. This therapy can help people struggling with all types of addiction and mental health issues.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT can treat addiction by strengthening emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR): EMDR helps treat trauma symptoms, which can be an essential part of addiction recovery.
• Motivational interviewing: MI can be helpful for people experiencing ambivalence about their recovery, as it focuses on respecting clients in their current stage of change.
• Group therapy: Group therapy offers peer support, psychoeducation, and relapse prevention guidance for people recovering from addictions.
• Schema therapy: Schema therapy works by focusing on schema modes and exploring coping skills to deal with addictive problems effectively.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) for Valium addiction consists of several days a week attending individual therapy, group therapy, and other counseling support. IOP may last anywhere from 1-6 months depending on the individual’s substance use and their treatment goals. Treatment costs vary, although most health insurance plans will cover some or all costs.

Rehab & Detox Centers

Some people with moderate or severe addictions will need to attend a formal detox to ensure the body fully eliminates the drug. Detox offers 24/7 support and monitoring. After detox, it’s common to transition into either inpatient or outpatient rehab. Rehab lengths also vary from about 1-6 months and are generally paid privately or covered by health insurance.