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Diazepam Abuse Side Effects, Overdose, and Addiction Treatment

Diazepam is the generic name for Valium. It is one of many benzodiazepine substances that affect the central nervous system (CNS) by amplifying the depressant effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, to subsequently decrease brain activity.1,2,3

What Is Valium Prescribed For?

Benzodiazepines like diazepam are prescribed to:

  • Relieve anxiety.
  • Prevent seizures.
  • Manage skeletal muscle spasm.
  • Alleviate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Diazepam is one of the 5 most prescribed benzodiazepines.3 In fact, approximately 15 million prescriptions were written for diazepam in 2011, per the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).3 It is also one of the most commonly found benzos on the illicit market.3

Diazepam is prescribed in tablet form, as an oral liquid, as an injectable solution, and as a rectal gel. Taking diazepam in each form can be helpful when it is used as directed, but when use turns to abuse, the harm can outweigh the benefits.


Signs and Symptoms of Diazepam Abuse

Benzodiazepines like diazepam have known abuse potential. Continued misuse of these drugs can easily lead to addiction. According to the DEA, more than 20 million people have abused benzodiazepines.3 Because diazepam can be addictive, caution should be exercised when prescribing the drug. A thorough medical history should be recorded beforehand to investigate for any episodes of prior substance abuse, dependence, and addiction.

It’s important to recognize that even people who’ve been prescribed diazepam can abuse the drug and eventually become addicted to it.4 Diazepam abuse occurs when a person:

  • Takes more diazepam than prescribed.
  • Takes more frequent doses of diazepam than prescribed.
  • Takes the drug without a prescription to get high or to modify the effects of other drugs.

Not only can abusing diazepam lead to ill effects on a user’s physical and mental health, but it can be fatal. The risk is especially high when an individual combines diazepam with other CNS depressants like alcohol, opioids (e.g. heroin or painkillers), barbiturates, and prescription sleep aids (e.g. Ambien).

Valium Side Effects

In a dose-dependent manner, diazepam use can lead to pleasant sedation and a euphoric high—sensations that motivate continued abuse of the drug. Other desirable effects sought after by those abusing diazepam include:3,4

  • Intense feelings of happiness.
  • Reduced stress.
  • Increased mental and physical relaxation.
  • Drowsiness.

There are numerous side effects of Valium, however, which worsen with continued abuse of the drug. Valium side effects include:1

  • Nausea.
  • Constipation.
  • Headache.
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure).
  • Dizziness.
  • Confusion.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Tremors.
  • Difficulty urinating.
  • Incontinence.

In addition to the effects on a user’s physical health, the effects of diazepam can also extend to a user’s mental health in some cases, causing distressing symptoms like:1

  • Anxiety.
  • Agitation.
  • Irritability.
  • Anger.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Delusions.
  • Nightmares.
  • Sleeping problems.

Effects of Diazepam Addiction

Long-term abuse of diazepam can have a sizable impact on one’s health and overall well-being. Notably, diazepam misuse and abuse is linked to tolerance, physical dependence, withdrawal, and addiction.

Tolerance. Tolerance develops with the continued use of many substances, like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines like diazepam. Over time, as the body adapts to the medication’s consistent presence, the original dose of diazepam is not able to produce the same results. This leads to the need to increase the dose taken, increase the frequency of substance use, or both.5

Dependence. This is an expected and common process that is related to consistently using or abusing a substance. The body gets used to having diazepam and begins to need it to function normally. Dependence is possible even when one is taking diazepam as prescribed;5 however, dependence can indicate that someone is developing an addiction, as well.

Withdrawal. Someone dependent on diazepam will feel uncomfortable and may even experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms when they stop using or dramatically decrease their dose of the drug. The avoidance of withdrawal symptoms compels many users to continue taking drugs even when they wish to quit. Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms include:1,3,4

  • Depressed or irritable mood.
  • Severe anxiety.
  • Panic.
  • Restlessness.
  • Inability to sleep.
  • Confusion.
  • Muscle cramps.
  • Headaches.
  • Sweating.
  • Vomiting.
  • Extreme sensitivity to light.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Tremors.
  • Seizures.

Addiction. Addiction is often confused with physical dependence. Dependence is often an indicator of potential Valium addiction development, but the two aren’t synonymous concepts. Physical dependence is the body’s reliance on the drug, whereas addiction is marked by the user’s compulsive desire to get and use more of the substance no matter what negative consequences might occur. People with diazepam addictions will continue using the substance despite problems related to their:5

Once someone is addicted to diazepam, it can be extremely difficult for them to stop their use without the assistance of a drug treatment program. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to do it on your own. Call for free at today to learn about your options for recovery.


Diazepam Statistics

According to the DEA:3

  • Nearly 27,000 emergency department visits were related to diazepam in 2010.
  • Nearly 81,500 calls to poison control centers involved a benzodiazepine in 2010.

In 2014, more than 7,900 people died of overdoses involving benzodiazepines like diazepam.4


Teen Diazepam Abuse

High prescription rates and the illicit availability of diazepam contribute to the high rates of its abuse that are seen among teens. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) issues an annual survey as part of its Monitoring the Future study. Benzodiazepine use is recorded on this survey as part of a group of other similarly intoxicating substances—collectively referenced as tranquilizers. In 2015, NIDA survey results indicated that:4

  • 0% of 8th graders admitted abusing tranquilizers in their lifetime.
  • 8% of 10th graders admitted lifetime abuse.
  • 9% of 12th graders admitted lifetime abuse.

When it comes to preventing drug abuse in your teen, education is essential. Teach your teen the risks associated with prescription drug abuse and have the conversation more than once. Also, make sure to learn the signs of abuse so that you can identify a problem and intervene early.

You can also take the following practical steps to prevent Valium abuse:

  • Keep valid diazepam prescriptions in a safe, locked place.
  • Take care to track and monitor usage to notice missing pills.
  • Ask your teen questions to assess their mental health in order to limit the risk of self-medication.
  • Look for signs of use, like empty prescription bottles and missing money.

If you believe that you or someone you care for has an issue with addiction to diazepam, consider calling American Addiction Centers (AAC). You can contact us for free at for Valium treatment options that could lessen the impact of the drug.


Resources, Articles, and More Information

To learn more, see the following articles:

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Valium Addiction Treatment Levels of Care

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