Valium Addiction Treatment

Valium (diazepam) is a benzodiazepine medication prescribed to treat anxiety disorders and for the short-term relief of anxiety symptoms.¹ Valium is a central nervous system depressant that has anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety, effects, and the drug acts to calm an otherwise overexcited nervous system and leads to feelings of sedation and relaxation.²

While Valium has valuable therapeutic effects for the people who are prescribed the drug, benzodiazepines like Valium expose people who take them to the risks of misuse and addiction.¹ Valium misuse and addiction can lead to serious consequences, including overdose toxicity and death.¹

If you or a loved one is struggling with Valium addiction, treatment is available. This article will help you learn about the types of addiction treatment programs and how to find a rehab.

Who Is At-Risk of Becoming Addicted to Valium?

Addiction is a chronic but treatable health condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use despite experiencing serious negative consequences as a result.³ Although the use of Valium and other benzodiazepines exposes users to the risks of misuse and addiction, not everyone will become addicted. Misusing the drug, particularly in higher doses, can increase the risk of addiction development.

Valium and other prescription drug misuse can include:²

• Taking the medication in a dosage or way other than prescribed by your doctor (e.g., crushing the drug and snorting it).
• Taking medication that is not yours.
• Taking the medication for its pleasurable effects (e.g., to “get high”).
• Taking the medication with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids.

Biological and environmental factors can increase the risk of addiction development.⁴ Research suggests that genetics account for around half of a person’s addiction risk. Ethnicity, gender, and the presence of mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression) also play a role, as does using drugs at an early age when the areas of the brain responsible for decision-making and self-control are still developing.⁴

Valium Addiction Treatment Programs

Addiction treatment for Valium and other substances can vary greatly in approach, duration, and intensity and may take place in different settings, such as detox, inpatient, and outpatient facilities.⁵ According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), effective treatment is individualized and considers a person’s medical, psychological, social, and vocational issues as well as their drug use.⁵

Although treatment can vary, patients can expect a combination of therapies and other services to meet their needs, such as:⁶

• Behavioral counseling and therapy.
• Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring disorders.
• Substance use monitoring.
• Case and clinical management.
• Long-term continuing care focused on relapse prevention.

Valium misuse often occurs with the misuse of alcohol, opioids, illicit drugs, and/or other medications, sometimes referred to as polysubstance use.¹ Patients who struggle with this can benefit from treatment that addresses each substance.^{5, 7}

Detox

For many patients, Valium addiction treatment begins with detox. Abruptly reducing or stopping benzodiazepines like Valium can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including seizures.^{1, 7} Detox can help mitigate the risks associated with Valium withdrawal and address complications if they arise.⁷

While detox is an important first step in recovery for many patients, detox alone typically is not enough to help patients achieve long-term abstinence. Continued treatment following detox, such as inpatient or outpatient rehab, may be of additional benefit for those seeking long-term abstinence.⁵

Inpatient Valium Treatment

Inpatient drug rehab centers offer around-the-clock intensive care and medical support. Patients live at the facility for the duration of treatment and participate in various therapeutic approaches. This type of treatment can benefit patients with more severe substance use disorders (SUDs), co-occurring disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression), or those without stable housing and support networks.⁸

Counseling is a common component of inpatient programs.² Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is a type of counseling that has shown promising results in treating benzodiazepine addiction.² CBT focuses on helping patients change their behaviors and thinking while developing better coping skills.² Inpatient programs may also provide other types of behavioral therapies, including group counseling, motivational incentives, and motivational interviewing.⁶

Outpatient Valium Treatment

With outpatient treatment programs, patients attend treatment at a facility during the day but return home in the evening and, in some cases, may be able to attend school or work.⁸ Outpatient treatment may be appropriate for patients with less severe substance use disorders (SUDs), a stable place to live, a supportive network, and reliable transportation to and from treatment.⁸

Outpatient treatment can differ in duration and intensity but generally offer the same services as inpatient treatment, including counseling, CBT, group counseling, motivational interviewing, and motivational incentives.⁸ Some outpatient programs meet less frequently, while others offer more intense, structured care. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) or intensive outpatient programs (IOP), for example, can be similar in approach to inpatient programs than a standard outpatient program.⁸

Valium Addiction Aftercare

Aftercare, or continuing care, refers to the ongoing efforts to promote recovery after patients complete an initial treatment period.⁹ This helps support a patient’s recovery goals and prevent relapse.⁹

Aftercare can include:^{5, 9}

• Group and individual counseling.
• 12-step and other mutual help group meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART recovery.
• Regular follow-up visits with a case manager, doctor, nurse, or treatment professional.
• Medication.
• Living in a sober living home or another type of recovery housing.
• Participating in a rehab alumni program.

Finding a Valium Rehab

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, there are several ways to find a Valium addiction treatment center near you.

• Talk to your doctor or a mental health practitioner. They can start the process of referring you to an addiction treatment provider.
• Use an online resource, such as The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) FindTreatment.gov tool to find treatment options in your area, including options for both insured and uninsured people.
• Use our rehab directory, which allows you to search for rehabs and filter by location, levels of care, and insurance accepted.
• Contact your insurance provider to learn more about in-network options. If you don’t have insurance, you can ask treatment facilities about grants, loans, and sliding scales.

If you’re ready to reach out for help, contact American Addiction Centers (AAC) to learn more about AAC treatment centers, resources, and support. Our helpline is available 24 hours a day when you call .

American Addiction Centers maintains a strong partnership with a large group of insurance companies at our addiction treatment facilities. Start the journey to recovery and find out instantly using the form below if your health insurance for rehab may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and associated therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions