Valium Rehabilitation and Treatment

This guide was written to provide an overview of the Valium rehabilitation process, as well as to offer helpful resources for persons recovering from Valium addiction.

When an individual struggling with Valium addiction is ready to receive treatment, the process usually begins with an intake session. During this session, the individual meets with treatment staff and learns what the facility has to offer in terms of behavioral therapies, group counseling, and other services. The individual also provides information about his or her medical history and family background to help staff members develop a customized plan that accounts for factors such as co-occurring disorders and medical conditions that could affect the best approach to treatment.

Following this intake session, the user completes an initial detoxification period in which Valium is eliminated from the body. The facility’s treatment professionals are on hand during this process to ensure that the user is as comfortable as possible. Some facilities offer medically-managed detoxification to help the user manage any unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, making the process even safer. Once Valium has been eliminated from the user’s system, staff members provide ongoing support, reducing the risk of relapse.

Under the guidelines established by the Controlled Substances Act, Valium is listed as a Schedule IV substance. Although Schedule IV substances are considered to have a low risk of addiction, some users become addicted to Valium due to the euphoric feeling it produces. As a result, the nonmedical use of Valium is a growing problem around the world.

Due to increased demand for Valium, trafficking of this substance has increased, prompting law enforcement officials to seize nearly 50 tons of diazepam, the generic version of Valium, in 2017. According to the World Drug Report, traffickers in China, the Republic of Korea, and Hong Kong are heavily involved in the illicit manufacturing and transportation of Valium to destinations all over the globe. Officials in France, Germany, and other European countries are also concerned about the use of Valium with opioids and other substances that slow down the central nervous system. When Valium is combined with other substances, the undesirable side effects become more pronounced, increasing the risk of overdose.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimated in 2015:

• 1,511,000 individuals aged 12 and older used sedatives, such as Valium, within the past year.
• 154,000 individuals aged 12 and older were addicted to sedatives, such as Valium, and in need of treatment.
• 2,801 individuals aged 12 and older in need of treatment enrolled in a rehabilitation program for the misuse of sedatives, such as Valium.

Rehabilitation for Valium addiction begins with the initial detoxification process, which allows the user to eliminate Valium from his or her body before receiving behavioral therapy and other rehabilitation services. Due to its half-life of 24 to 48 hours, approximately half of the Valium in a user’s system is eliminated within one to two days. Therefore, the full detoxification process typically takes three to four days; however, it may take longer, especially in chronic users and users who have kidney disease or other medical conditions that affect kidney function.

In some cases, withdrawal symptoms persist for several weeks or longer. When this occurs, they are known as post-acute withdrawal symptoms. The total amount of time it takes a user to withdraw completely from the drug depends on several factors, such as medical history, the extent of Valium use, and whethe

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has not approved any medications specifically for the treatment of sedative withdrawal; however, supportive medications may be used to relieve unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse. One of those medications is carbamazepine, which is typically used to treat seizures. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be relieved by substituting alprazolam for Valium. Like Valium, alprazolam is used to relieve anxiety.

For more information about withdrawal, read our guide on Valium Addiction.

Within either an inpatient or outpatient setting, treatments, such as detoxification services, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments, are offered for varying lengths of time.

Inpatient treatment involves living full-time (including overnight) at a treatment facility for a set period of time. Outpatient treatment involves attending scheduled appointments at a facility in which you are free to come and go. Within each category, there are several distinctions.

Behavioral therapy for substance addiction seeks to identify and manage addictive behaviors that lead to use and prevent relapse. Behavioral therapy is based on the concept that all behavior is learned, and, thus, unhealthy behavior can be changed through learning coping skills and increasing awareness of negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to substance abuse.

When searching for a rehabilitation center, it’s important to look for a facility that offers programs specifically for individuals who are addicted to Valium and other benzodiazepines, as withdrawal from these substances can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Choosing a facility that offers both social support and behavioral therapies may help reduce the risk of relapse. Facilities that use PCT or motivational interviewing in their programs may be the most effective, as both strategies have been used successfully in treating individuals with benzodiazepine addiction.

Both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs are available, but a long-term user may benefit from the 24/7 support and sense of routine offered by inpatient facilities.

Our directory of rehab programs includes a comprehensive list of available treatment centers and programs as provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In the directory, you will find tools to filter the programs by setting, price, and location.