Diazepam Addiction | Signs, Symptoms & Effects

A 2017 Public Health England report found that 1.4 million people had been prescribed benzodiazepines, including diazepam, in that one year. However, despite its prevalence, diazepam is an addictive drug with an exceptionally high risk of dependence.

If you think you or a loved one may be living with diazepam addiction, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. At Linwood House, we’re here to make you feel safe and cared for while teaching you the skills to overcome addiction and maintain sobriety.

What Is Diazepam?

Diazepam belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines (benzos), a type of central nervous system depressant that works by slowing down the brain.

Diazepam is available by prescription on the NHS and with private practitioners in the UK; however, it is illegal to possess diazepam without a prescription.

Understanding Diazepam addiction

Diazepam misuse is always dangerous, but things can become especially difficult if you develop an addiction.

Diazepam addiction is when you compulsively seek and use diazepam, despite the negative consequences. These urges (also known as cravings) characterise prescription drug addiction. People living with diazepam addiction have long-lasting physical changes in their brains, making it very difficult to stop using the substance without effective support.

diazepam addiction is rarely just about the drug itself. People usually turn to drug abuse to cope with or compensate for other mental health concerns, distressing, traumatic experiences, or a lack of care early on in life.

What are the long-term effects of Diazepam abuse?

Diazepam is a powerful drug with pervasive effects throughout your central nervous system. If you continue to misuse diazepam, you put yourself at risk of long-term health damage.

Evidence suggests that prolonged use of diazepam, especially at higher doses, can cause long-term memory loss. This is more likely if you misuse diazepam; however, it can occur even amongst individuals with a prescription.

Some other long-term health effects of diazepam misuse may include:

Problems concentrating
Feeling dull and slow
Feeling isolated from reality
Emotional numbness
Irritability and impatience
Weight problems

Repeatedly using diazepam can also put you at risk of developing diazepam dependence and addiction. While both conditions are serious health issues requiring professional treatment, you can recover from both with the proper support. Another risk of diazepam addiction is overdose. Diazepam overdose is a medical emergency that can result in death, so you should seek immediate medical treatment if you think someone may have overdosed on diazepam.

How to recognise diazepam addiction in yourself or a loved one

It’s not always obvious when diazepam misuse has turned into an addiction. Any misuse of diazepam is dangerous, and if you’re asking yourself the question, you should seek professional support.

Some signs of addiction include:

Spending a lot of time thinking about diazepam
Diazepam becoming the priority in your life
Neglecting home and work responsibilities due to diazepam use
Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using diazepam
Continuing to use diazepam despite negative consequences for your mental or physical health

Recognising diazepam addiction in someone else comes with its own set of difficulties. Sometimes, individuals go to great lengths to hide their addiction. Some additional signs to look out for in a loved one include:

Unexplained outings
Lying and secrecy
Financial difficulties
Physical health problems and neglect of self-care

If you notice any of these signs in a loved one, having an open and honest conversation about their substance use could be beneficial. Clearly explain your concerns, their behaviour’s effects on you, and that you’re there to support them. You could talk about addiction treatment options and how you can help them to access professional support.

How does diazepam addiction develop?

Even though it is a prescription drug, it is possible to become addicted to benzos, even when following a prescription exactly.

Research suggests that you can become addicted to benzos in as little as three weeks. Based on this evidence, most scientists recommend that prescriptions are limited to one to two weeks. However, in practice, many doctors still prescribe benzos like diazepam for much longer. Studies estimate that 300,000 people may have long-term prescriptions for benzodiazepines and Z-drugs.

Diazepam withdrawal and detox

If you’ve developed a dependence on diazepam , you will usually experience a series of withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking the substance.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and, in severe cases, dangerous. A minority of people experience seizures and psychosis that can be life-threatening without professional medical treatment. For this reason, you should never try to detox alone.

The good news is that professional detox programmes can support you in withdrawing from diazepam addiction as safely and comfortably as possible. You should never see withdrawal as a barrier to addiction recovery. With the proper support, it can be easier than you may think.

Lasting recovery with Linwood House

Knowing how to move forward can be challenging if you or someone you know may be living with addiction. At Linwood House, we’re here to make the process as easy as possible.

Our exceptional yet affordable facilities provide top-tier clinical care and exceptional support to individuals from all walks of life. We focus on empowering you to overcome addiction, addressing underlying issues and teaching you the skills you need to achieve lasting change.

Frequently asked questions

Is Valium the same as Diazepam?

Valium is a brand name for diazepam, a prescription drug doctors usually use to treat anxiety, muscle pain, seizures, or fits. Diazepam is not currently sold under the brand name Valium in the UK.

What makes Valium so addictive?

When you take Valium, it alters the availability of dopamine in your brain, interacting with the reward system and making you want to take the drug again. With time, these changes can be very pronounced – much more so than with normal activities – and cause you to experience powerful urges to use Valium.

Is it dangerous to mix diazepam with alcohol?

Yes, mixing diazepam with alcohol is dangerous. Both substances are central nervous system depressants, and combining them can lead to severe sedation, respiratory depression, impaired coordination, and a heightened risk of overdose.