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September 6th, 2024
Librium Addiction | Signs, Symptoms & Effects
In the world of mental health, few drugs have had as significant an impact as Librium. Originally introduced to offer relief from severe anxiety and alcohol withdrawal, Librium can offer relief to many who struggle with these conditions. However, Librium has long been shown to be incredibly addictive.
What is Librium?
Librium, also known by its chemical name chlordiazepoxide, was the first benzodiazepine ever made in the 1950s. When Libirum was released the following decade, it was hailed as a miracle drug for anxiety and alcohol withdrawal that was deemed far safer than earlier treatments like barbiturates.
When taken as medically intended, Librium helps you feel more relaxed and less anxious, making it easier to cope with stressful situations or manage symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It does this through its effects on a GABA chemical, which slows down brain activity and calms the mind and body.
However, Librium can also have some serious side effects, which anyone who takes the medicine needs to be aware of, including drowsiness, dizziness, problems with coordination, confusion, memory issues and addiction.
These side effects have seen strict controls placed on Librium in many countries worldwide. In the UK, Librium is classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This means it is illegal to possess, supply or produce Librium without a prescription. Doctors are also very careful when prescribing it, ensuring it is used only when absolutely necessary and for the shortest time possible.
Why is Librium addictive?
Librium is addictive by nature because it affects the brain’s chemistry, creating feelings of calm and relaxation. Here’s how the addiction process usually happens:
Initial Librium use
When someone starts taking Librium, whether prescribed or not, it can help them feel relaxed and less anxious. These positive feelings can make them want to continue using the medication, especially if they struggle with anxiety or stress regularly.
Tolerance
As with other forms of drug addiction, what often happens next is that the body gets used to the effects of Librium. This means that the initial dose the person was taking is no longer enough to calm them, so they start taking more.
Dependence
As the person takes Librium more regularly and in higher doses, the brain becomes accustomed to the increased levels of GABA activity. This means that normal brain function starts to depend on Librium, so if the person stops taking it, there will be a sudden chemical imbalance in the brain. It is this sudden imbalance and the brain’s scrambling to fix it that causes withdrawal symptoms like heightened anxiety, agitation, tremors and, in really serious cases, seizures.
Librium addiction
Eventually, the person might feel like they need Librium not just for anxiety or alcohol withdrawal but to cope with all the troubles in their life. This is the point when full Librium addiction has taken hold, and they have to keep taking the drug even if it is doing more harm than good.
Librium addiction in the UK
In the UK, the number of people seeking treatment for benzodiazepine addiction, including Librium, has trebled in the last three years. The most recent figures also show that there were 1,523 benzo-related deaths between 2019 and 2022 in England and Wales. To put that into perspective, it is around ten deaths every week.
Experts agree that the causes of these spikes are complex and include:
- Long waits for mental health services which encourage people to self-medicate.
- Easy availability of benzos like Librium on the black market.
- A huge increase in the recreational use of Librium and other benzodiazepines.
How to spot Librium addiction signs
The best way to avoid the most destructive impacts of Librium addiction is to catch it early. This is not always as easy as you might think as some people who become addicted need the drug for a genuine medical reason. To help make identification easier, here are some classic Librium addiction signs:
- Taking Librium without a prescription either to get high or because you think you need it for stress or another issue.
- Increasing how much prescription Librium you are taking without your doctor telling you to.
- Shopping around different doctors and prescribers so you can get more Librium.
- Lying or making excuses to yourself and your family about why you are taking so much Librium.
- Skipping work, school or household chores because you are under the influence of Librium or recovering from its effects.
- Unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness or noticeable coordination issues.
- Spending more money than you can afford to obtain Librium.
Librium addiction effects you need to be aware of
Librium addiction effects can harm every aspect of your health, personal life and future prospects. Here are some key reasons why you need to seek help immediately if you notice any Librium addiction signs in yourself or someone you know:
Health risks
Librium addiction can lead to numerous health problems. Long-term use can cause severe side effects such as memory loss, confusion and difficulty with coordination. If you become physically dependent on Librium, withdrawal symptoms can be intense and include anxiety, tremors, seizures and even life-threatening complications if not managed properly.
Psychological impact
Librium addiction can exacerbate existing mental health issues or lead to new ones, including heightened anxiety, depression and mood swings. If you develop a psychological dependence where Librium becomes a crutch, it can stop you from developing healthier ways of dealing with stress and other issues.
Social consequences
Librium addiction often leads to strained relationships with family and friends. You may become secretive or dishonest about your Librium use, abandon old friends for new ones who take drugs and ultimately create a cycle of isolation that traps you in loneliness and drug use.
Economic impact
Librium addiction can be financially draining, especially if you are buying drugs illegally. The effects of chronic Librium abuse can also affect job performance and attendance, which can lead to unemployment and related problems.
Legal issues
In the UK, obtaining Librium without a prescription is illegal and “doctor shopping” and other illegal ways of getting it can lead to potential legal consequences. Arrests and criminal records can further complicate your life, affecting your future opportunities and often leading to more drug use.
Treatment for Librium addiction
Detox, rehab and ongoing support form a comprehensive approach to Librium addiction treatment. Detox is when you stop taking Librium so your body can clear it all from your systems. The withdrawal symptoms discussed early can make this dangerous, so it is important to detox under the care of medical professionals.
Once that has taken care of physical dependency, all the reasons that you started taking Librium need to be addressed through benzodiazepine rehab treatment. This will involve intensive therapy and lifestyle skills training so you can start to plan a life where you don’t need Librium to cope.
Once you have finished the first two stages, sustained recovery usually involves local support groups, ongoing therapy and aftercare programmes to stop you from going back to Librium after you leave rehab.
What to do if I’m addicted to Librium?
If you or someone you care about is struggling with Librium addiction, professional support can make a world of difference in reclaiming your life. Contact our dedicated team at Linwood House today to start your journey to recovery with compassionate care and expert guidance. Your path to a healthier, happier future begins with a single step – reach out now.
Frequently asked questions
(Click here to see works cited)
- Help.org. “LIBRIUM ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND SYMPTOMS.” Help.org, https://www.help.org/librium-addiction/. Accessed 6 June 2024.
Joshi, Ashish. “Crisis warning over deadly drug cocktail ’10 times stronger than Fentanyl.’” Sky News, 14 December 2023, https://news.sky.com/story/crisis-warning-over-deadly-drug-cocktail-10-times-stronger-than-fentanyl-13030401. Accessed 6 June 2024. - Mind. “Chlordiazepoxide – tranquilliser.” Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/sleeping-pills-and-minor-tranquillisers-a-z/chlordiazepoxide/. Accessed 6 June 2024.
Stewart, Conor. “Benzodiazepine related drug deaths England & Wales 2022.” Statista, 29 January 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/470844/drug-poisoning-deaths-benzodiazepine-in-england-and-wales/. Accessed 6 June 2024. - UK-Rehab. “Chlordiazepoxide Addiction | UK Rehab.” UK-Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/benzodiazepine-addiction/chlordiazepoxide/. Accessed 6 June 2024.
- Wick, Jeannette Y. “The history of benzodiazepines.” The Consultant pharmacist : the journal of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists vol. 28,9 (2013): 538-48. doi:10.4140/TCP.n.2013.538
