Rehab Centers for Valium Addiction

Valium (diazepam) is a prescription medication used to treat conditions like anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Valium is usually recommended for short-term use at relatively low doses because its calming or euphoric effects put its users at risk of dependence and addiction.

Benzodiazepine addiction is a significant public health issue in the United States, with roughly 3.7–3.9 million people misusing benzodiazepines in recent years. According to the most recent DAWN report in 2023, the U.S. had an estimated 192,044 benzodiazepine-related emergency visits.

Once someone becomes addicted to Valium, quitting without help can be extremely difficult—even dangerous. Professional treatment through diazepam rehab is usually the safest, most effective path to recovery.

Seeking timely and effective Valium addiction treatment help through quality Valium recovery programs can give you or your loved one the best shot at successful, long-term sobriety.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, RehabNet provides a free and confidential helpline to connect you with trusted prescription drug rehab centers across the U.S.

Not everyone who uses Valium will become addicted, but some people, like those with previous substance abuse disorders (especially those prescribed Valium for alcohol addiction), are at higher risk.

You may need professional rehab if you:

• Take more Valium than prescribed
• Use Valium without a prescription
• Have tried and failed to quit or reduce your use
• Feel unable to function without the drug
• Experience withdrawal symptoms between doses
• Hide or lie about your Valium use
• Show multiple signs of Valium addiction

Those who are dependent on Valium (experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it, but can control their use) but who are not addicted to it (compulsively use the substance) generally have less structured, long-term, and intensive treatment needs. This can make it tricky to know when to seek drug rehab.

In general, outpatient rehab is helpful for individuals with:

• Dependence issues, but not addiction
• Milder addictions
• Strong support systems

Inpatient rehab often provides better results for people with:

• Long-term or severe addictions
• Histories of repeated relapse
• Co-occurring mental health conditions

Ultimately, the question of who needs Valium rehab is best answered by a medical or mental health professional after a careful substance use disorder evaluation. Diazepam rehab criteria vary considerably from one individual to another.

What happens in Valium rehab varies depending on the individual needs of the patient, the individual rehab facility, and other factors, but the diazepam treatment process tends to follow a certain structure.

1. Rehab Intake And Assessment

During the intake process, benzodiazepine rehab programs will gather basic information and officially admit someone into the treatment program.

This process generally involves paperwork and orientation, such as:

• Personal information
• Contact information
• Consent forms
• Privacy agreements
• Basic orientation to the program
• Discussing treatment options

While assessment is closely related to intake, an assessment is a more in-depth process where clinicians conduct a comprehensive evaluation to create an individualized treatment plan.

The assessment may involve:

• Substance use history evaluation
• Screenings for withdrawal risk
• Psychological screening for depression, anxiety, trauma, etc.
• Identifying co-occurring conditions that could affect recovery
• Discussing treatment goals and other challenges

Intake and assessment are critical first steps because they shape the rest of someone’s drug rehab experience.

2. Detox

This phase involves the careful management of Valium withdrawal symptoms by a medical team as an individual tapers off the medication. Going through detox in rehab can substantially lower the risk of severe side effects, relapse, and overdose.

3. Therapy

After the detox process, someone in rehab will participate in individual therapy and group therapy. This helps them address the root causes of their addiction and work on other co-occurring conditions that could make it more difficult to recover or remain sober.

4. Aftercare Planning

Near the end of rehab, patients work with their care providers to create a plan for continuing care after rehab. This step is critical to making sure their recovery sticks long-term. Aftercare planning may include participating in programs like sober living houses and support groups, finding long-term therapy, recognizing triggers, and more.

Residential or inpatient rehab is often more intensive and involved than outpatient rehab, where an individual stays home while getting treatment. Many outpatient programs may not have all of the steps involved in a traditional inpatient program and, therefore, are better suited to those who need less support for their addiction.

Doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals and addiction specialists play a crucial role in making rehab successful.

These specialists can help:

• Create a strong individualized treatment plan
• Treat physical and psychological addiction problems
• Reduce the risk of relapse post-treatment

The supportive and structured environment of benzodiazepine rehab programs promotes healing.

Valium detox (short for detoxification) is when the body clears Valium from its system with the support of medical professionals to perform diazepam withdrawal management. It is the first phase of addiction treatment, and is essential to freeing someone from physical dependence on Valium safely.

Valium has a long half-life, so withdrawal symptoms usually start more slowly but last longer compared to some other benzodiazepines like Xanax. Addiction specialists will make sure rehab patients gradually taper their Valium use to decrease the intensity of symptoms and reduce health risks.

Early phase symptoms (2-5 days after last dose)

• Rebound anxiety or panic attacks
• Restlessness or agitation
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep
• Irritability
• Muscle stiffness or tremors
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• GI issues (nausea, cramps)

Peak phase symptoms (5-10 days after last dose)

• Intensified anxiety and panic
• Severe insomnia
• Confusion or disorientation
• Depression or mood swings
• Hallucinations or paranoia (in severe cases)
• Suicidal thoughts
• Muscle pain
• Heart palpitations or elevated blood pressure
• Risk of seizures or psychosis (medical emergency)

The peak phase is when the most dangerous and intense Valium detox symptoms emerge. Especially for those who have used Valium for a long time or at a high dose, carefully monitored medical detox for Valium is critical to keep individuals safe.

Prolonged Withdrawal (About 3 weeks after last dose)

• Continued anxiety or irritability
• Depression
• Cognitive difficulties (e.g., brain fog, memory problems, etc.)
• Trouble concentrating
• Emotional numbness or detachment
• Low motivation
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue
• Occasional physical symptoms (e.g., tremors, nausea)

The last phase of Valium detox (known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome or PAWS) can last for weeks, months, or even up to a year, so this part of detox may require long-term support after rehab.

Valium rehab therapies take more than one form so that individuals can address addiction from many angles. These include physical and psychological addiction struggles, co-occurring issues, preparation for post-rehab challenges, and more.

The Matrix Model is a structured, traditionally 16-week intensive outpatient program that combines therapy, education, and long-term planning to help individuals recover long-term from addiction.

The Matrix Model includes:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Relapse prevention education
• Addiction education
• Drug testing
• Family education and involvement
• Integration in group programs

The Matrix Model was originally developed for stimulant addiction, but proved useful for Valium rehabilitation as well.

A cornerstone of Valium addiction treatment, behavioral therapy helps individuals work through the emotional, psychological, and behavioral patterns that cause them to continue abusing Valium and other substances.

Behavioral therapy takes two main forms:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Used to change unhelpful and distorted thought and behavior patterns.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Used to help individuals with emotional regulation and mindfulness, especially if they use Valium to self-medicate.

DBT and CBT for Valium addiction can help individuals manage long-term withdrawal symptoms and life challenges better and maintain sobriety after leaving rehab.

Addiction counseling plays a key role in recovery from psychological dependence on Valium, offering emotional support, practical tools, and a safe space to explore someone’s reasons for misusing Valium.

Many rehab centers offer both individual and group-based addiction counseling:

• Individual counseling: Generally involves regular sessions with a licensed counselor or therapist to address the root causes of the individual’s Valium use.
• Group counseling: Usually focuses on building peer support and accountability.

Addiction counseling is especially critical for those who use Valium to cope with difficult emotions and for those who have co-occurring mental health conditions.

Recovery groups for diazepam addiction are one of the most important elements of long-term sobriety after rehab. Many programs integrate patients into recovery groups during rehab.

• 12-step programs: These are programs based on Alcoholics Anonymous, which can be spiritually-focused, but aren’t necessarily religious. Programs for people recovering from Valium addiction include Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Benzodiazepines Anonymous (BA).
• Non-12-step options: These programs tend to be more secular and research-based than the 12-step model. For Valium addiction, look for programs like SMART Recovery and LifeRing Secular Recovery.

No matter what program someone chooses during and after Valium rehab, community and shared experiences are essential for building accountability, feeling understood, reducing isolation and loneliness, and, ultimately, staying sober long-term.

A valium rehab program’s diazepam treatment timeline can range in length depending on the individual facility and the needs of the patient, but 1-3 months is typical for most programs.

For most centers, drug rehab duration is measured in 30-day increments.

Typical rehab timelines:

• 30-day programs: 30-day Valium programs are short-term and fairly intensive, but are usually best for mild to moderate addiction.
• 60-day programs: These programs provide more time for therapy and building habits that will help patients after rehab. They’re more suitable for moderate addiction or more severely addicted people who have strong support networks.
• 90-day programs: These programs offer long-term addiction recovery with heavy therapy, detox support, and habit-forming opportunities. They’re best for individuals with severe addiction: long-term or heavy Valium users, those with co-occurring disorders, and individuals with a pattern of relapse.

Many factors can influence the length of treatment for Valium addiction.

Factors that influence drug rehab duration:

• How severe someone’s addiction is
• Whether or not someone has co-occurring mental health issues
• How quickly someone makes progress during treatment

Regardless of the length of the program, most people recovering from a valium addiction need extra help post-rehab, especially the first few months after treatment. Luckily, individuals can access extended care options and long-term outpatient rehab programs.

After leaving rehab, there are several options for aftercare for Valium addiction. What options an individual chooses should match their specific needs and preferences.

Sober living homes (also known as transitional housing) are residences that provide a more structured, drug-free environment to help those who have recently left rehab transition from a highly structured, supportive environment back to independent living.

Sober living houses may be especially helpful for people recovering from Valium addiction because the substance’s long-term withdrawal symptoms often outlast rehab programs, which can increase the risk of relapse.

Many people continue to receive post-rehab support weeks, months, and years after recovery.

Continuing care programs include:

• Outpatient counseling and therapy: It’s common for people to maintain therapy or counseling after leaving rehab. It’s common to see a therapist weekly or even bi-weekly soon after rehab, and to slowly extend the time between sessions.
• Support groups: Whether led by peers or a professional, support groups offer excellent long-term support for those recovering from Valium addiction. Groups like Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery offer a space to share one’s experiences and struggles without judgment, learn new skills for relapse prevention, and find accountability.
• Alumni programs: Many rehab centers maintain alumni programs for graduates, which may include regular check-ins, peer mentorship opportunities, group therapy, sober events and meetups, volunteer opportunities, and more. These programs are often a great way to remain engaged with the addiction recovery community and avoid relapse.

Continuing care programs help people maintain accountability and structure after rehab, and are an essential part of achieving a healthy, sober life long-term.

Completing Valium addiction rehab is a major accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated, but recovery continues long after being discharged from rehab. Relapse prevention for Valium users can be particularly challenging because the substance tends to cause long-term withdrawal symptoms.

That said, avoiding Valium relapse is a critical part of maintaining a stable, healthy life, and there are many strategies for achieving long-term sobriety.

One of the essential skills for staying sober after Valium rehab is recognizing what personally triggers the need to use and what situations are most likely to lead to relapse.

Common triggers include:

• Places related to past drug use
• Being around people who still misuse substances
• Negative emotions or stress
• Experiencing trauma or flashbacks
• Major life changes
• Boredom
• Social isolation
• Not getting basic needs met (hunger, sleep, etc.)

Coping after rehab can be difficult because many people have to deal with the stress of day-to-day responsibilities again or returning to less-than-ideal environments for maintaining good mental health. This may lead someone to misuse Valium again. Forming strong coping skills is critical to staying sober under stress.

Coping strategies can include:

• Deep breathing
• Grounding techniques
• Journaling
• Creative expression
• Exercise
• Mindfulness or meditation
• Talking or being with a loved one or another support person

Support systems are one of the most essential diazepam recovery strategies; without support, most people relapse, even with powerful coping strategies.

Members of a post-rehab support system often include:

• Family
• Friends (who don’t use)
• Therapists
• Recovery coaches
• Peers from recovery groups
• Sober mentors
• Religious leaders
• Other close-knit sober communities

Successful relapse prevention goes beyond avoiding Valium use and into creating a life where using diazepam no longer feels like a necessity. Creating this life takes time, often involving ongoing therapy and lifestyle changes like establishing good routines, maintaining one’s health, and remaining engaged with people and communities that help someone avoid the things that tempt them to use.

Many factors influence Valium rehab cost, which can range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars per month.

Common cost factors for rehab include:

• Inpatient vs. outpatient: Inpatient programs are generally more expensive.
• Location: Programs in expensive areas usually cost more.
• Program length: Longer programs are usually more expensive.
• Amenities: A program with more amenities will cost more.
• Medical supervision: If the patient requires more medical supervision, the program will cost more.

Thankfully, many programs take insurance for drug rehab, and, in the United States, most insurance providers (including private insurers and Medicaid plans) offer coverage for addiction recovery programs.

Even if you don’t have insurance, other payment options can make paying for rehab easier.

Other rehab payment options include:

• Sliding scale fees: Rehab facilities often adjust their costs based on income.
• Payment plans: Many centers offer long-term payment plans to make costs more manageable.
• Scholarships or grants: Some facilities offer partial or full scholarships to cover the cost of rehab.
• Free or low-cost programs: Many nonprofit organizations, community health clinics, religious organizations, and state-funded centers run low-cost or even free addiction recovery programs.
• Loans: If other options are unavailable, it’s also possible to take out a medical loan to cover treatment costs. Be sure you fully understand the terms before taking out a loan.

The cost of rehab can seem daunting, but it’s important to weigh the financial cost against the personal cost of untreated addiction, which can quickly lead to consequences like job loss, loss of relationships, permanent health issues, or even death.
Affordable Valium treatment is possible through many avenues, and resources like RehabNet’s helpline can help you find reasonable options.

Does rehab cure addiction? No, but rehab does help someone manage their addiction. Valium addiction is a chronic but treatable condition, and entering rehab is the beginning of a long-term Valium recovery journey.

Chronic addiction management involves:

• Learning to live without Valium
• Building a strong support network
• Maintaining one’s mental and physical health

Even though there is no quick fix to make Valium addiction curable, lifelong recovery is possible with ongoing support.

The advantages of drug rehab are massive compared to trying to overcome Valium addiction without structured care.

The benefits of Valium rehab include:

• Medical supervision and structured detox.
• Access to therapy and counseling.
• Peer support and motivation.
• Safer, more effective recovery compared to quitting alone.
• Higher long-term success rates.

Valium is especially hard to quit because of its long-term withdrawal and other side effects, making effective Valium addiction treatment hard outside of a rehab program. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your circumstances to help choose the best support for benzodiazepine recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling with Valium addiction, professional help is available and is often more affordable than you think. Valium addiction can be difficult and even dangerous to overcome without structured medical support.

Not sure where to get treatment for Valium addiction? RehabNet offers a free, confidential 24/7 service to help individuals find Valium rehab programs that are right for them.

Don’t delay in getting confidential drug rehab help. Contact RehabNet for addiction help today, including national access to trusted and free addiction resources.