Valium Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Valium Abuse

Valium (generic name, diazepam) is a prescription benzodiazepine, a class of drugs that slows down brain activity. It is usually prescribed to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

While Valium is useful for short-term relief from many different problems, it also has the potential to become addictive and to be misused because of its calming, often euphoric effects. These pleasant effects can cause habitual use that leads to physical dependence and even addiction in some individuals.

According to the CDC, benzodiazepine-involved deaths in the U.S., including those linked to Valium, rose by 42.9% from 2019 to 2020. The CDC also reported a 23.7% increase in Emergency Department visits for benzodiazepine overdoses per 100,000 ED visits during the same period. Finalized data from 2022 continued to show concerning trends, with 10,964 benzodiazepine-related overdose deaths recorded.

It’s important to be aware that Valium addiction is a risk for anyone taking the drug, and to be aware of Valium misuse’s side effects so you can get help for yourself or a loved one as soon as possible. Getting addiction help quickly increases the chances of a successful recovery with as few long-term problems as possible.

Keep reading for a comprehensive Valium addiction overview, including the causes, symptoms, and dangers of misusing Valium. If you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug abuse, help is available. RehabNet offers a free, confidential helpline to connect you with trusted treatment centers.

The reason why Valium is addictive comes down to how Valium affects the brain. Like other benzodiazepines, Valium targets the central nervous system through the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), slowing down brain activity. This creates feelings of calmness and euphoria, easing anxiety, muscle tension, seizures, and more.

Unfortunately, the medication’s soothing and euphoric effects can also become habit-forming, especially if someone uses Valium to relieve stress or other types of emotional discomfort. This can lead to psychological dependence, where someone feels like they need the drug to be okay day-to-day.

Regular use of the drug can also lead to physical dependence on diazepam, meaning that a person may require higher doses to achieve the same effects, a phenomenon known as Valium tolerance. Additionally, they may need to continue taking Valium to prevent the negative physical effects associated with withdrawal from the drug. Over time, this combination of psychological and physical dependence can result in addiction.

While Valium has a longer half-life compared to many other benzodiazepines and, therefore, doesn’t have as intense withdrawal symptoms, its benzodiazepine addiction potential remains similar to other drugs in the same class.

The difference between abuse and addiction can be subtle, but it is important. Valium misuse or abuse happens when someone intentionally uses diazepam in a way other than as prescribed or recommended.

Examples of Valium abuse include:

• Taking Valium without a prescription
• Taking more Valium than prescribed
• Taking Valium to get high or to escape reality
• Mixing Valium with other substances to enhance its effects

Valium addiction usually develops from abuse, but it is more serious, describing a long-term disorder involving compulsive drug use and an inability to stop using Valium despite harmful consequences.

Where someone abusing Valium has control over their use, being able to stop if they need to (even if it’s unpleasant), someone with a prescription drug addiction to Valium is unable to quit using Valium long-term without help.

Yes, Valium use can cause both physical and psychological dependence.

• Physical dependence describes what happens when the body adapts to the regular presence of a drug, leading to increased tolerance and withdrawal symptoms if an individual decreases or stops using the drug.
• Psychological dependence refers to a feeling of need in someone for the drug, especially to manage everyday situations and emotions like stress. This psychological dependence on diazepam can be habit-forming.

While short-term Valium use is less likely to lead to Valium dependence, it is possible to become dependent on the medication even if it’s taken exactly as prescribed. That said, it’s possible to be dependent on Valium without being addicted; addiction happens when someone has lost control of their use of a drug.

Recognizing the signs of Valium addiction early can make a huge difference in someone’s recovery outcome. Signs of addiction can be behavioral, emotional, and physical.

How to tell if someone is addicted to Valium:

Behavioral signs:

• Doctor shopping to get multiple prescriptions
• Secretiveness around Valium use (lying about usage, hiding pills, etc.)
• Increasing dosage without a doctor’s consultation
• Struggling at work or in school
• Withdrawing from social activities
• Engaging in risky behavior like driving under the influence

Emotional signs:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Apathy or lack of motivation

Physical signs:

• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Poor coordination
• Slow reflexes
• Blurred vision

Someone with a Valium addiction may try their best to hide it, so loved ones should especially look out for physical symptoms of diazepam abuse and behavioral signs of addiction. The more warning signs you notice, the higher the chance that someone’s dependence has advanced to addiction.

Valium withdrawal happens when someone suddenly stops taking diazepam, especially after long-term use. When someone uses Valium, the body eventually gets used to the drug and adapts by reducing its own GABA activity. The body’s reliance on Valium for normal GABA production leads to physical dependence. As a result, suddenly not taking Valium can cause many negative effects.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms tend to be milder early on and then peak after a few days off the drug, especially in the case of slower-acting benzodiazepines like Valium.

Early symptoms (hours to a few days):

• Rebound anxiety
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Sweating

Peak symptoms (days 2-5):

• Tremors
• Confusion
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Headache
• Depression

Long-term symptoms (a few weeks to a year):

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Obsessive thoughts or intrusive worries
• Panic attacks
• Brain fog
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory issues
• Low motivation or apathy
• Insomnia or restless sleep
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Tremors or muscle tension
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Appetite changes

Milder symptoms are the norm for people who took Valium at a lower recommended dose, even for fairly long periods. People who took Valium at higher or more frequent doses for a long time have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms after stopping Valium.

Severe withdrawal symptoms include:

• Derealization (when the external world feels unreal or distorted)
• Feeling disconnected from one’s own body, thoughts, or emotions
• Numbness and tingling in the extremities
• Hypersensitivity to light, noise, and physical contact
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Hallucinations, paranoia, severe confusion, etc.
• Epileptic seizures

Even if you were taking Valium at the recommended dose, it’s best to taper your use with a doctor’s guidance gradually. The symptoms after stopping Valium abruptly can be dangerous, especially after taking higher or more frequent doses than recommended.

Seizures are the most serious risk, potentially leading to brain damage or even death. However, other symptoms like suicidal thoughts, heart complications, and psychosis can lead to self-harm, serious accidents, or deadly complications in those with pre-existing health issues.

Valium side effects are common even when someone uses the drug as prescribed, but when abused, these side effects can be more severe and harmful.

Short-term side effects occur soon after taking Valium, especially at higher doses.

Short-term side effects include:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Poor coordination
• Blurred vision
• Emotional numbness
• Memory issues
• Slowed breathing or heart rate

Someone who abuses Valium over a long time may suffer from lasting brain function and general health issues. These effects are more likely to develop the longer and more frequently someone misuses Valium.

Long-term side effects include:

• Memory issues
• Depression
• General cognitive decline
• Motor impairment
• Brain fog
• Trouble feeling emotions
• Unstable mood
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Social isolation
• Physical dependence
• Addiction
• Increased diazepam overdose risk

An overdose happens when someone takes more of a drug than their body can safely handle, resulting in toxicity. The effects of a Valium overdose can range from relatively mild to potentially fatal, depending on the amount taken, what other substances were taken around the same time, someone’s diazepam tolerance level, and other factors.

Symptoms of a Valium overdose may include:

• Slowed or stopped breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Coma
• Death

Taking large doses of Valium and/or mixing Valium with alcohol, opioids, or other depressants are the actions most likely to lead to overdose. Polydrug use is especially dangerous; over 75% of benzodiazepine-related overdose deaths involve multiple substances.

When it comes to considering who is at risk of diazepam addiction, it’s important to remember that anyone can become addicted to Valium if they’re using the medication. That said, some people do have increased risk factors for Valium addiction.

Biological and family risk factors:

• Genetic predisposition to mental health issues
• Family history of addiction
• Family history of substance use disorders

Psychological and personal risk factors:

• Previous substance use disorders
• Previous or current alcohol use disorder
• A personal history of drug misuse
• Having anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health problems
• Co-occurring mental health disorders
• History of trauma
• Poor coping skills

Environmental and social risk factors:

• Living in a high-stress environment
• Dealing with other high-stress long-term situations (at work, school, etc.)
• Peer pressure

Those suffering from alcohol use disorder deserve special consideration because Valium is sometimes prescribed to treat withdrawal symptoms from alcohol abuse. Using diazepam for this purpose should be done under strict medical supervision to avoid the heightened risk of developing a Valium addiction.

Understanding benzodiazepine misuse risks can help individuals and their loved ones be more vigilant for signs of Valium addiction and, if necessary, take early action toward treatment.

Diagnosing Valium addiction usually involves having a medical or mental health professional perform a thorough evaluation, including checking the DSM-5’s substance use disorder (SUD) criteria.

The DSM-5 lists 11 criteria that can arise from a substance use disorder:

1. Using more Valium than your prescription calls for, or for longer than intended.
2. Being unable to reduce or stop using Valium despite wanting to.
3. Experiencing intense cravings or urges to use Valium.
4. Needing more Valium over time to get the same effect (tolerance).
5. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using Valium.
6. Spending a lot of time getting, using, and recovering from the use of Valium.
7. Trouble keeping up with home, work, or school responsibilities because of Valium use.
8. Continuing to use despite its negative effects on relationships.
9. No longer engaging in social activities or hobbies you care about because of Valium use.
10. Using Valium in dangerous situations, like while driving.
11. Continuing to use Valium even when it causes physical and mental health issues.

Someone must have at least two of the above symptoms to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder. SUDs are also diagnosed based on severity: mild, moderate, or severe. This is primarily how doctors identify diazepam addiction.

Evaluating benzodiazepine abuse also often involves a thorough medical and psychological evaluation beyond the DSM-5.

Common medical and psychological evaluations for Valium addiction include:

• Medical history assessment: The doctor will ask how long someone’s been using Valium, at what dosage, whether there’s any polydrug use, the patient’s history of withdrawal symptoms and overdoses, and any medical conditions.
• Physical exam and lab testing: Checking the vitals, neurological signs of Valium abuse, damage to the liver or kidneys, etc. This will often include lab testing.
• Structured interview or questionnaires: In addition to the DSM-5, professionals may use screening tools like the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), and Screening, Brief Intervention, or Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to evaluate substance abuse problems.
• Mental health screening: Medical professionals will evaluate an individual for co-occurring conditions like anxiety, panic disorders, depression, PTSD, etc.

A thorough evaluation helps medical professionals assess whether an individual is only physically dependent or addicted, whether the individual is struggling with other co-occurring disorders, and exactly what kind of care would be best for that person.

This is why it’s critical to be honest when self-reporting. It can also be helpful for professionals to get input (with permission) from family members or friends who have insight into an individual’s substance use that the person being evaluated may be unaware of or hesitant to share.

A substance use disorder diagnosis differs from simple misuse or dependence; it describes addiction. Where someone can misuse Valium or even develop physical dependence on it without losing control over their use of it, addiction involves a loss of control over drug use, which usually requires professional help to overcome.

Seeking help early for Valium addiction or abuse is one of the most effective ways to prevent serious side effects or overdose. It also increases the chance of a successful addiction recovery.

If you think you may be dealing with a valium addiction, start by talking to your doctor or a mental health professional. Also, don’t hesitate to get help from friends, family, and specialized resources.

RehabNet is a free, confidential resource that connects people with trusted treatment centers across the U.S. Our RehabNet support helpline can help you find addiction treatment and other resources depending on your needs.

If you’re not sure where to get help for diazepam abuse or you have questions, don’t hesitate to get confidential help from RehabNet today.