In this article, we’re going to discuss Valium and alcohol withdrawal. The process of quitting drinking can be made much easier by taking a benzodiazepine for withdrawal symptoms.
As alcohol consumption increases over time, withdrawal symptoms can progress from mild to psychologically exhausting and even dangerous. Many people avoid discussing their true levels of drinking with their doctors. As a result, they do not find out about the proper use of benzodiazepines for withdrawal. Binging, abstinence, and relapse can form a vicious cycle that continues for many years.
It’s important to understand that withdrawal is not all in your head. Symptoms like rapid heartbeat, panic attacks, or a profound sense of impending doom can get worse and lead to fatal seizures. Withdrawal symptoms become more severe with repeated episodes because of a phenomenon known as kindling.
In a medical detox environment, it’s common to receive benzodiazepines for withdrawal. A patient may be given an initial injection followed by 1-2 weeks of tapered oral doses that are carefully monitored.
Overview of Valium
Valium is in a family of anti-anxiety drugs called benzodiazepines. It is a brand and its generic name is diazepam. Other benzodiazepine brands include Librium, Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin.
All of these drugs can be effective for withdrawal symptoms because they reduce anxiety, prevent convulsions, and help with sleep. Because they vary in terms of strength and their length of effects, doctors choose between them depending on the patient’s symptoms.
This medication is effective at alleviating or preventing the following symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Headache
- Restlessness
- Panic attacks
- Tremors
- High blood pressure
- Delirium Tremens
Benzodiazepines work by activating GABA receptors in the brain, which are also stimulated by alcohol. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter associated with feelings of calm. Intoxication causes a spike in GABA and withdrawal involves a plunge in GABA. Many withdrawal symptoms (including panic and even seizures) are caused by insufficient levels of GABA in the brain.
Using this medication for withdrawal can provide temporary peace of mind and prevent severe symptoms from manifesting. Because of its effectiveness, hospitals often prescribe this drug to alcoholics and then gradually reduce the dose to taper them off of it.
Here are some things to consider before obtaining a prescription:
- Because everyone is biochemically different, another benzodiazepine may work better for you.
- Depending on the severity of your alcoholism, your doctor may recommend inpatient detox or prescribe you Valium that you can taper off while you quit drinking at home. If you quit drinking at home, make sure you have support and that you repair your body proactively.
- All benzodiazepines can be addictive, which is why they should only be used for a short period and in the lowest effective dose.
- All benzodiazepines can cause overdose if too much is taken at once. Mixing these drugs with alcohol can be very dangerous and lead to blackouts.
- Even if you take this for withdrawal, you will still need to repair nutrient deficiencies caused by excessive drinking. You may also have other symptoms such as low motivation and depression that benzodiazepines cannot resolve.
- Using this for withdrawal is a great strategy for the short term, but in the longer term, it’s important to have external support and to renew your sense of purpose in life.
How To Take Valium
Here are some things to consider:
- Only take this medication with a prescription and under the supervision of a doctor.
- The tablets are typically 2, 5, or 10 mg.
- Doses are often divided throughout the day, with 3 or 4 doses on the first day being a common practice.
- There is no standard dosage; a doctor can determine this depending on your situation.
- Most people do not need to take for more than a few days or a week.
- To avoid dependence, do not use this medication for longer than you need it.
Further Considerations
By preventing complications caused by low levels of GABA in the brain, using Valium for withdrawal can help you have a much safer and more pleasant detox. Even if your symptoms aren’t severe, envisioning life without alcohol is hard enough. Nervous exhaustion and insomnia can make the task of quitting drinking seem nearly impossible.
But while it can help with quitting, it is not a cure-all for the physical damage caused by alcoholism. Many people who use benzodiazepines end up relapsing because they feel tortured by depression or cravings after their taper ends. These other symptoms are often caused by the following problems that are NOT resolved by benzodiazepines:
- Low dopamine
- Low serotonin
- Magnesium deficiency (my life changed when I began taking magnesium!)
- B-vitamin deficiencies
- Other vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Poor liver health
Fortunately, there is a way to address all of these problems at once. Check Fit Recovery’s list of supplements that work best for supporting the brain-body system through recovery.
Another trick is to take glutamine to resolve sudden, intense bouts of cravings. Try it and you’ll see that it works. Glutamine is an amino acid that can help to repair every cell in your body.
The bottom line is that using Valium for withdrawal can be very effective, but it’s just the first part of a long process. Give your body what it needs during this time, and your mind will be sure to follow!
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article. Subscribe to the Fit Recovery email list to stay posted on more articles that can help you down the road.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment box below.
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Dr. Ken Starr is board-certified in both Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine, and diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. In addition to his work as the Addiction Medicine Director for Fit Recovery, he operates Ken Starr MD Wellness Group in Arroyo Grande, CA. His clinic offers advanced drug and alcohol detox methods, long-term recovery facilitation, and IV nutritional programs including NAD+ therapy.
Author
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Dr. Ken Starr is board certified in both Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine, and diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. In addition to his work as the Addiction Medicine Director for Fit Recovery, he operates Ken Starr MD Wellness Group in Arroyo Grande, CA. His clinic offers advanced drug and alcohol detox methods, long term recovery facilitation, and IV nutritional programs including NAD+ therapy.
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Hey man I quit 3 days ago real bad anxiety everything looks the same but kinda looks like a blur and at times my heart pounds but no fever or sweats what would u call this moderate withdrawal
Been there buddy, sign up for my free email list and you’ll be on the path towards recovery for sure!
Taking 5mg valium 3 years 3 times a day .71 year old male. Glass of occasional wine . want to taper off valium
Can I cut to 2.5 mg per dose to start for like 2 weeks and then what ?
I’m struggling to get the natural remedies support, it does not recognise my email. Can you help?
Hi Claire, please try this link here. Not sure why your email wouldn’t be recognized. Hope it works for you!
Can I take calm support for alcohol withdrawal when on valium. I am on a taper regimen. Will this affect my taper or anything
Hi Karen, I would not expect Calm Support to affect your taper – but it’s always best to consult with a doctor first! Worst case scenario, you could always use Calm Support as soon as your taper is done.
Chris, I just had to say how much I appreciate your website in the 15 minutes I’ve been on it…I’m about to order your book…thank whatever being for people like you, people with compassion. Chronic relapser and like some of the comments before, doctors just don’t care. Thank you Chris I look forward to getting your book, your page on your book described me to a T….I’m hoping it will do me some good!
Thanks for your kind words Tyler! I’m confident that you’ll love the book. Good luck to you and keep checking back here whenever you need to!
Very informative article. I have been a heavy binge drinker for about 3 years now I’m 27. And when I say binge drinker I mean 1 or 2 bottles of hard stuff for 12 hours then sleep for an hour. I’ve been to detox 3 times rehab once and always seem to relapse. I went to the hospital recently they pumped me with 10 mg valium every half hour for about 3 hours cause this particular doc didnt wanna send me home with any. So I went home feeling ok then started withdrawaling again so relapsed AGAIN. I went to… Read more »
You’re very welcome Jared, and thanks for sharing your experience! Nutritional repair will be a big help to you when you get past withdrawal. Best of luck!