Valium Overdose Symptoms, Signs and Addiction Treatment

If you believe someone may be experiencing an overdose on Valium, call 911 immediately and wait with the person until emergency services arrive.

What to Do in the Event of a Valium Overdose

A Valium overdose is a critical medical emergency and requires immediate attention. If you think someone is overdosing, take the following steps immediately:¹

1. Administer Narcan if you have it available and quickly call 911.
2. Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
3. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
4. Stay with the person until emergency medical personnel arrive.

In regards to step one, it is advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to administer Narcan if there is any potential that someone could be overdosing on opioids, as Narcan will not cause any harm if opioids are not present in the system.¹ However, data shows that the vast majority of benzodiazepine overdoses involve opioids, therefore administering this medication may help save the person’s life.²

Signs and Symptoms of Valium Overdose

Being aware of the signs and symptoms can help you get assistance for yourself or a loved one who might be suffering from a Valium overdose.Some of the signs and symptoms of this type of overdose may include:³  

• Blue lips or nails.
• Blurry or double vision.
• Confused mental state.
• Feelings of depression.
• Dizziness, inability to stay upright.
• Uncoordinated movements.
• Being difficult to rouse.
• Being in a coma-like state.
• Excitability.
• Weakness.
• Breathing difficulties or complete cessation of breath.
• Unresponsiveness; not seeming alert.

A person experiencing an overdose may exhibit just a few of these signs. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, seek medical attention immediately.

How to Avoid a Valium Overdose

Taking any prescription medication in a manner or dose other than prescribed, taking someone else’s prescription, or using a prescription medication for the sole purpose of getting high is considered misuse.⁴ Therefore, Valium should only be taken if prescribed by a healthcare professional and in the recommended dosage. Using Valium under the supervision of a professional will help prevent overdose, however should you experience any abnormal symptoms, contact your them right away.

Risk Factors for Valium Overdose

Used alone and as directed by a physician, benzodiazepines like Valium are generally considered safe. However, your risk of overdose may increase if you:^5,6

• Use Valium in combination with alcohol.
• Use other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as Xanax.
• Use other drugs with Valium (polysubstance abuse).
• Take high doses of the drug.
• Take Valium more frequently than intended.
• Stop the drug suddenly and then resume using it with the same dose. If you take the drug for a certain period, your body develops tolerance. If you stop using it, your tolerance decreases. When you resume using the same dose as before, your body will likely not be accustomed to it, which can result in an overdose.

Learn about the effects of Valium use.

Preventing Valium Overdose

The best way of preventing Valium overdose is to avoid abusing Valium to begin with. Valium should not be used for purposes other than those for which it was originally prescribed.

You can also take several additional steps to help prevent a Valium overdose, such as:⁷

• Knowing exactly what you are taking, including the dose. Keep the packaging that the medication came in.
• Educating yourself about the signs and side effects of an overdose.
• Throwing away old or expired medications.
• Avoiding combining Valium with alcohol or other substances.
• Taking a lower dose of Valium if it has been a while since you last used it.
• Using it in the presence of another person. If you do happen to overdose, that person can reach out for help.
• Avoiding using Valium or other drugs from unknown sources.

If you think you might have an addiction to Valium, talking to your doctor and seeking professional substance abuse treatment may help to prevent an overdose. Getting professional help before it’s too late can help you get started on the path to clean and sober living and help you take back control of your life.

Valium Addiction & Misuse

As Valium is continually misused, the reward center in the brain adapts by reducing its ability to properly respond.⁸ Therefore, a person will have to consume greater amounts of Valium in order to achieve the same desired effects (this is known as tolerance). Should misuse continue, other areas in the brain can also experience chemical changes that can make stopping the use of a drug extremely difficult.⁸

If you have overdosed on Valium, or are concerned that a loved one will, it is possible that you or your loved one may be addicted to it.

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