Diazepam (valium) is a benzodiazepine medication often used to treat alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines like Diazepam are now widely prescribed. They sedate your central nervous system and reduce the dangerous effects of withdrawal after alcohol overuse.
Detoxing from alcohol and diazepam often comes with a range of uncomfortable symptoms, making it difficult for a person to succeed. In many cases, medical intervention is necessary to ensure safe detoxification.
This article explores detoxing at home and the associated risks, effects, and treatments available.
Understanding Diazepam Withdrawal Symptoms
Diazepam, also known as Valium, is a medication that helps with anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It works by making a chemical in the brain called GABA stronger, which helps to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
You can take Diazepam orally in tablet form. It is typically prescribed for short-term use due to its potential for abuse, dependence and addiction.
When used as directed by a healthcare professional, diazepam can be an effective medication for managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Diazepam can cause addiction if not used correctly or for too long. Abrupt discontinuation of diazepam or misuse of this medication can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms of its own.
Diazepam withdrawal symptoms are similar to alcohol as both substances depress the Central Nervous System. When the brain removes either drug, it goes into overdrive for several days, sometimes weeks. This acute overactivity in the brain and central nervous system leads to diazepam and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Diazepam Withdrawal Symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Poor appetite and Nausea
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Seizures
If you are taking Diazepam regularly, you mustn’t just stop taking it abruptly. Please consult a medical practitioner before attempting to quit.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can vary in severity and duration depending on the person’s alcohol use disorder. Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms include headaches, nausea, anxiety, and irritability. However, more severe symptoms can result in hallucinations, seizures, confusion (delirium tremens), or life-threatening complications.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually start within hours of stopping or reducing drinking, and they last, on average, for around 1 to 2 weeks. The most dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually occur within the first 72 hours of quitting. However, everyone reacts differently, and alcohol detoxification can be very unpredictable.
It is essential if you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms to seek medical attention promptly. Medical professionals can provide appropriate interventions to manage the physical and psychological effects of alcohol withdrawal, keeping you safe.
Sourcing Diazepam To Help With Alcohol Withdrawal
If you or someone you know wants to use diazepam for alcohol withdrawal, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. They can provide proper treatment options. We will carefully monitor and supervise your alcohol detoxification throughout. Medical professionals should medically prescribe and monitor all medications that support the detoxification process.
Please do not buy Diazepam without a genuine prescription. We understand that someone wanting to quit alcohol can resort to desperate measures. However, using diazepam to self-medicate alcohol withdrawal at home can have disastrous consequences.
Immediate help is available so that you can detox safely.
Mixing Alcohol And Diazepam
Combining alcohol with diazepam can be extremely dangerous due to their synergistic effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Both substances depress CNS activity independently; when mixed, they can intensify each other’s sedative effects.
Using Alcohol And Diazepam Together Increases Your Risk of
- Respiratory depression
- Polysubstance use and addiction
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Being a victim of crime, including violence and rape
- Impaired coordination leading to accidents
- Risk-taking (due to poor judgement, awareness and decision making, and increased impulsiveness)
- Blackout (Unable to recall events whilst intoxicated)
- Overdose
Taking these substances together is sadly not uncommon. It is particularly prevalent in those with an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The main danger of mixing alcohol and diazepam is overdose which can ultimately stop your breathing and heart, leading to death. Most drug overdoses occur when more than one substance is taken.
When you frequently take alcohol and valium simultaneously, you genuinely increase your risk of developing a dual dependence. This can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop.
The Risks of Using Valium To Detox From Alcohol At Home
It is essential to understand the risks associated with using Diazepam to treat alcohol withdrawal at home. While it may provide temporary relief, self-administering this medication without medical supervision can be extremely dangerous.
Risks Of Treating Alcohol Withdrawal with Diazepam:
- Drinking alcohol whilst taking diazepam can lead to an overdose
- Abusing the Diazepam detox and developing a secondary addiction
- Suffering an accident at home due to increased drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, and delayed reaction times
- Suffering severe mental and physical health complications
Some people desperate to stop drinking may source diazepam from a family member, friend, or the internet (dark web). Acquiring valium in this manner is drug abuse and carries very high risks.
Doctors do not recommend using Valium with alcohol and advise avoiding it. Combining these can lead to significant depression in your vital signs (breathing and heart rate). Additionally, acute alcohol intoxication can lead to vomiting. You are more likely to aspirate vomit when under the influence of a benzodiazepine.
If you take diazepam to reduce symptoms of alcohol withdrawal without medical guidance, you may take the wrong dosage. This can result in an overdose of valium or a spiralling of withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol detox is a particularly challenging process that involves removing alcohol from the body. It can be risky and complicated, especially for heavy or long-term alcohol consumers. An alcohol detox attempted without medical help has the potential to go very wrong very quickly.
Some of the risks of alcohol detox include:
- Going ‘cold turkey’ refers to when someone with an alcohol addiction abruptly stops drinking, whether it is by choice or not. If you do not have any support, it can lead to uncomfortable and even dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include anxiety, shaking, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens. These symptoms can be severe and even life-threatening.
- Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic that causes increased urine production. During detoxification, excessive sweating, vomiting, and diarrhoea can further contribute to dehydration if you do not maintain enough fluids.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Chronic alcohol consumption often leads to malnutrition due to poor diet and nutrient absorption. Detoxification without proper nutritional support can worsen these deficiencies.
- Electrolyte imbalances: Alcohol interferes with the body’s electrolyte balance by affecting kidney function and fluid regulation. Detoxification can lead to imbalances in sodium, potassium, magnesium, and other essential electrolytes.
- Cardiovascular complications: Heavy drinking can damage the heart muscle and increase blood pressure. Abrupt cessation of alcohol during detox can put additional stress on the heart.
- Psychological distress: Alcohol detox can cause intense psychological pain such as depression, anxiety, paranoia, irritability, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating.
- Relapse risk: The discomfort and cravings experienced during alcohol detoxification can lead to relapse.
Don’t try to stop drinking at home if you’ve been drinking a lot for a long time because it’s dangerous. Even detoxing from a binge drinking episode can carry these complications if your alcohol intake has been high.
If you take diazepam without medical guidance to deal with alcohol withdrawal, you won’t know how healthy you are. Underlying mental and physical health issues tend to come to the surface during any detoxification process. If you want to quit drinking alcohol, seek assistance from doctors or addiction experts. They can provide you with medical care and support.
Diazepam and Alcohol Withdrawal Risks
The risks associated with diazepam and alcohol withdrawal are significant. Abruptly stopping or reducing either substance can lead to potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening complications such as seizures or delirium tremens.
It is crucial for anyone seeking to withdraw from alcohol or diazepam to do so under medical supervision. Just as taking diazepam with alcohol increases the effects of both substances, detoxing them simultaneously increases the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Medication For Diazepam and Alcohol Withdrawal
A medical detoxification programme may be recommended for those struggling with alcohol and diazepam addiction or dependence. Medical detox provides a supervised environment where healthcare professionals can monitor withdrawal symptoms and provide appropriate medications to manage the process.
During a medical detox, the healthcare provider may increase your initial dosage of valium to support a safe alcohol withdrawal. You will gradually tap off the diazepam dosage to minimise withdrawal symptoms. We deliver nutrition, vitamins, medications, and light therapies to help you during this period. This approach helps reduce the risk of severe complications developing whilst ensuring you are monitored and supported throughout.
After successfully completing a detox, we recommend that you participate in a comprehensive rehabilitation program. If you go to a registered rehab centre, you’ll get professional therapies and treatments to help you.
Addiction treatment delivered within a treatment centre is tailored, targeted and intensive. You can achieve the same outcome in a few weeks to months that would normally take years in the community.
Rehab and detox clinics provide a safe place away from temptation and the pressures of daily life. Limiting your exposure to stress is very helpful during detox and the early days and weeks of recovery.
Avoiding Protracted Withdrawal
Protracted withdrawal refers to prolonged withdrawal symptoms that persist beyond the typical timeframe. It can occur in both alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawals, including diazepam withdrawal. CNS depressants can pose an exceptionally high incidence of PAWS symptoms, primarily when the exit is not controlled medically.
To avoid protracted withdrawal, following a medically supervised tapering schedule is essential when discontinuing diazepam or alcohol usage. Slowly decreasing diazepam dosage for alcohol withdrawal with professional guidance or approved medications helps the brain and body adjust. This minimises the risk of prolonged symptoms. In many cases, medication and therapy can help to reduce the risk and symptoms of PAWS.
Valium and Alcohol PAWS Symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Poor concentration and memory
- Sleep disturbances
- Cravings for alcohol or diazepam
Protracted withdrawal symptoms can persist for months or even years after discontinuing alcohol or diazepam use. Seeking professional help and support during this time is instrumental in managing these symptoms effectively.
Urgent and Effective Treatment For Alcohol and Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
If you or someone you know has an issue with alcohol or valium, professionals recommend seeking assistance. It is also important to consider a comprehensive treatment plan. Treatment programmes for substance dependence and abuse should include detoxification, therapy, and ongoing support. The way you choose to detox does count towards your long-term recovery.
We recommend treatment providers based all over the UK and overseas. They provide effective care for substance use and related conditions, helping you live and enjoy a drug-free life. Our detox and rehab treatment centres are highly regulated and offer a safe and compassionate approach to help you heal.
Call and speak with one of our addiction experts today for more information and a free, no-obligation, confidential treatment and detox plan. Remember, you don’t have to face this journey alone. We are here and ready to listen to your story.
Sources:
- About Diazepam: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/diazepam/
- The effects of combining alcohol with other drugs: https://uhs.umich.edu/combine#:~:text=Depressants%20(Xanax%2C%20Valium)%20combined,memory%20loss%20and%20potential%20death.
- Effects of Alcohol Dependence and Withdrawal on Stress Responsiveness and Alcohol Consumption: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860383/
- Dependence, withdrawal and rebound of CNS drugs: an update and regulatory considerations for new drugs development:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7425303/
