The long-term effects of Valium can have some pretty severe impacts on your life. These drugs are so commonly prescribed, and over prescribed that people think they are without their own set of side effects. Valium use and abuse can affect all parts of your life, from mental health to physical well-being. While the drug can be effective, it can also have some negative effects. Understanding the full spectrum of possible long and short term effects of this drug is vital when using it to treat the symptoms they are prescribed for.
What is Valium?
Valium, marketed generically as Diazepam, is a drug belonging to the benzodiazepine drug class. These drugs are used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms, anxiety and seizures. They are also proven to be effective when treating muscle spasms and used for sedation prior to surgical procedures, due to its sedative-like effects. Benzodiazepines, like Valium, are Central Nervous System (CNS) suppressants. This means that they have the capability to slow the nervous system’s responses, making them effective in treating seizure disorders. They slow brain activity and help to actively prevent seizures from occurring. For this reason, it also helps to treat anxiety disorders. It calms the brain down in people who have debilitating anxiety. However, the long-term effects of Valium can lead to devastating consequences, and have long-term impacts to your life. Fortunately, people addicted to Valium can seek benzodiazepine detox and treatment.
Short-Term Effects of Valium
Short term, the effects of Valium can be like many other prescription drugs. It can produce a euphoric “high” feeling, make you drowsy, or feel dizzy. These are common with Valium. Because this drug affects the CNS, it has a tendency to make you drowsy, and dizzy. It can also cause lack of coordination. These short term effects can vary from person to person, in both length of time the effects are felt and the degree to which they are felt.
Other short term side effects of this medication include memory impairment. It has been reported in those who use this drug that, while asleep, people have been known to call someone, eat food, or even drive without recollection of these things when fully awake.
Long-Term Effects of Valium
Long-term effects of Valium can be more severe. Even at a properly low dose, when taken for an extended period of time, Valium can lead to dependence and addiction. This can take as little as two weeks. That’s partly why these drugs are meant to be taken short term. Addiction has the potential for some dangerous effects on a person. When the body is addicted to a substance, it can alter the brain’s chemical makeup. Long-term effects of Valium can include some pretty severe health complications as well, things like cardiovascular damage, liver damage, and brain damage have the capacity to occur.
The long-term effects of Valium also extend to mental health. This drug can cause damage to a person’s cognitive function, memory, and judgment. Using this drug can also lead to worsening mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Abuse and Addiction to Valium
What is considered abuse? Well, using the drug in any way other than intended and expressly written in the prescription is abusing the drug. If you run out of the drug and use a friend’s prescription, that is considered abuse. Taking more than you are prescribed daily, crushing, snorting, or injecting it, all of these are forms of abusing the drug. All of these can lead to some dangerous repercussions.
The worst of the long-term effects of Valium is addiction. Addiction to any substance can be devastating. It can lead to changes in personality, loss of job, legal issues, broken relationships. If you find yourself struggling with Valium addiction, getting help as soon as possible is highly suggested.
Valium Withdrawal Symptoms
Once the body becomes accustomed to a certain level of the drug, it may require more and more to feel any sort of relief. This can lead to some even worse long-term effects of Valium. Withdrawal is an unpleasant experience for anyone to endure. Quitting this drug is a different ballgame. There are some dangers involved. Some withdrawal symptoms from Valium include:
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rebound anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Due to the risk of seizures being present, when making the decision to come off of this benzodiazepine, it is suggested that clients seek the care of medical professionals. They can monitor you and help to alleviate your most severe symptoms.
Get Help for Valium Withdrawal in Nashville, TN
Benzodiazepines, such as Valium, are addictive. Using them over the long term can lead to some pretty severe effects on your body, mentality, and life. If you or a loved one struggle with Valium use or abuse, there is hope. We at Brentwood Springs can help. We offer a comprehensive program that can help you during the beginning stages of recovery from Valium addiction. Our team of professionals is standing by to help guide you through the process. Contact us now.
