The initial step on every journey of addiction recovery is admission to a medically assisted detoxification center. Those who have been abusing drugs or alcohol for any period of time almost always undergo some degree of withdrawal upon abrupt cessation of use. More often than not, the symptoms of withdrawal will lead a person back to substance use before the detoxification process is over. This is part of the reason why entering into an inpatient Valium detox program is so important.

At Boca Detox we provide a comprehensive detox program; one that focuses on more than a safe, pain-free drug and alcohol withdrawal. In addition to providing around the clock medical care, we actively prepare our clients for the next appropriate stage of their personal recovery journeys. During Valium detox, we conduct an individualized, in-depth evaluation, which helps us determine the length of our clients stay, what kind of medical intervention is necessary, and the next step for each client once they become physically stabilized.

The Boca Detox Center Method: Valium Detox

At Boca Detox, we take a unique approach to Valium detoxification. Whereas state-funded facilities and hospital settings offer standardized, impersonal care, we treat each of our clients on a highly individualized basis. The Boca Detox method focuses on more than physical stabilization. We work to adequately prepare our clients to take the next appropriate step on their personal journeys of addiction recovery. While medical detox is an important initial step on the road to recovery, it must be closely followed by a higher level of care in order to be truly effective.

As part of the Guardian Recovery Network family, we work closely with several of the top residential rehabs and outpatient treatment programs in the country. Once you have undergone a safe, pain-free Valium withdrawal and have been deemed physically stable, we will help you determine which level of care is right for you. Contact us today to learn more about Valium withdrawal treatment options, or to get started on your own personal journey of recovery.

What is Valium Addiction?

Valium is a potent prescription benzodiazepine, one commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and severe sleep-related issues. Because this medication is both potent and extremely habit-forming, it is generally not prescribed to be taken for an extended period of time. Still, Valium remains one of the most frequently prescribed medications throughout the United States. Over the course of the past decade, benzodiazepine abuse, addition and overdose-related death have been on a sharp incline. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that between the years 1996 and 2013, the number of benzodiazepine prescriptions filled by American adults increased a staggering 67 percent. Additionally, in the year 2015, 23 percent of individuals who lost their lives to an opioid overdose also tested positive for a benzodiazepine like Valium. If you have been suffering at the hands of a Valium abuse disorder of any severity, seeking professional medical help is of the utmost importance.

When a person misuses a chemical substance, it typically means one of three things. It might mean that an illegal substance is being used in any capacity. It might also mean that a prescription medication is being used other than as prescribed, or a legal substance (like alcohol) is being used in excessive quantities. When it comes to Valium misuse and addiction, it usually means that a person is taking a higher dose of Valium than recommended, or they are using the drug without a prescription written by a licensed medical professional. If you or someone you love has been struggling with a Valium use disorder, there are several signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for.

Signs of Valium Misuse & Dependence

If you believe you or someone you love has been suffering from a diagnosable Valium use disorder, there are several signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) outlines a list of diagnostic criteria used to identify the presence of a benzodiazepine use disorder. If you answer “yes” to two or more of the following questions, seeking professional help from a medical detox center is likely a good idea.

1. Do you sometimes end up using a higher dose of Norco than you originally intended, or do you use Valium more frequently than you intend to?
2. Have you wanted to cut back on your dose or quit entirely, only to find you were unable to do so for any significant period of time?
3. Do you spend a significant amount of time obtaining Valium, using Valium and recovering from its effects?
4. Do you often think of using Valium/do you ever experience intense cravings?
5. Has your drug use interfered with your ability to fulfill personal obligations or negatively impacted your performance at work or at school?
6. Have you experienced interpersonal problems as a direct result of your Valium use?
7. Have you given up activities which were once interesting or important to you in order to engage in Valium use?
8. Have you been engaging in risk-taking activities more often than normal, like driving while under the influence of Valium or combining Valium with other substances like alcohol or opioid narcotics?
9. Do you continue to use Valium despite physical or psychological health concerns directly related to the prescription medication?
10. Have you developed a physical tolerance, meaning a higher dose is required in order for the desired effects to be achieved?
11. Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when Valium use is stopped abruptly?

If you have been taking a benzodiazepine medication like Valium for longer than two weeks, you will likely benefit from being tapered off slowly. Tapering refers to slowly decreasing your dose over the course of several weeks in order to prevent your body and central nervous system from going into shock. There are several factors which will impact the severity and duration of Valium withdrawal, including:

• The severity of the substance use disorder.
• The amount of Valium being taken on a daily basis.
• Whether or not Valium was being combined with any other chemical substance(s).
• Physical health and mental health status.
• The age of the person undergoing withdrawal.

Are Valium Withdrawals Fatal?

Valium withdrawals can be fatal when left untreated — even if the medication was being misused for a short period of time. Research shows that around 40 percent of people who take benzodiazepines like Valium for longer than several weeks develop moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms, which can include heart palpitations and grand mal seizures. This is why entering into a medical detox program that provides 24/7 access to professional medical care is so important.

A standard Valium withdrawal timeline looks like this:

• Week 1 – Valium has a long half-life, meaning initial withdrawal symptoms might not develop for close to one week. However, they can also develop within the first 24 hours after the final dose. These symptoms typically include increased heart rate and blood pressure and low-grade fever.
• Week 2-3 – Symptoms peak in intensity and include body tremors, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations and delusions, profuse sweating/night sweats, insomnia, agitation, severe anxiety and panic attacks, depressed mood, disorientation, and in extreme cases, grand mal seizures.
• Week 4 – After around one month, the more severe symptoms have likely subsided completely. They are replaced by symptoms of post-acute withdrawal, which might include insomnia, generalized anxiety and depressed mood.

What should you expect as you undergo Valium withdrawal in a medical detox center like Boca Detox? You can expect to be treated around the clock by a team of licensed medical professionals who have one common goal — to ensure you are as comfortable as possible over the course of your stay. Very few of the addiction services we provide are mandatory. You are encouraged to participate in therapy sessions, group workshops and 12 Step meetings if you feel up to doing so. As you undergo a safe and pain-free withdrawal in our homestyle retreat-style center, your case manager will work directly with the remainder of your treatment team in developing a personalized aftercare plan. To learn more about what to expect from the medical detox process, contact us today.

How Will Boca Detox Center Treat My Valium Detox Symptoms?

• Addiction Assessment – Conducting an in-depth addiction assessment helps the medical team determine which detox services are going to be the most beneficial for each unique case while helping clients develop a thorough plan for continuing care. At Boca Detox we conduct a detailed assessment within several hours of admission, which includes family history of substance use, a physical evaluation and a psychological evaluation.
• Medical Care – Clients have access to professional medical care 24/7. Vitals are checked regularly, and if anything seems abnormal it will be treated accordingly. Sometimes, medications prove beneficial during the detox stage of the treatment process. We help ease the pain of withdrawal by offering individuals MAT in a comfortable, homestyle setting with expert medical and clinical staff.
• Individualized Therapy – At Boca Detox we believe in client-driven therapy, meaning that specific therapeutic goals are determined by each individual client and his or her licensed therapist in a collaborative setting. Underlying issues are resolved while the client is in treatment, however, we encourage a continuation of individual therapy once detox has concluded.
• Psychiatric Services – At Boca Detox we offer dual diagnosis treatment services for clients who have previously been diagnosed with a mental illness and for clients who are experiencing severe psychological withdrawal symptoms. Clients have access to professional psychiatric care, and they have the option of meeting one-on-one with an on-staff psychiatrist whenever they need extra assistance.
• Aftercare/Continuing Care – While in detox, our clients work closely with a team of professionals including an individual therapist and a case manager. This team works together to help clients craft detailed, strategic aftercare plans for the time following medical detox. Aftercare could include continuing treatment in a residential rehab, an intensive outpatient setting, taking up residence in a sober living home, continuing personal therapy work and/or active involvement in a recovery community.

Medication Names & Descriptions

In addition to tapering, certain medications might be used for the treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal. These medications include:

• Anticonvulsants – Seizures are not uncommon side effects when it comes to Valium withdrawals. In the case of a seizure, our prescribing physicians prescribe an anticonvulsant to be taken for the remainder of the acute detox period.
• Clonidine – This medication can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Melatonin – One of the more common symptoms associated with Valium withdrawal is insomnia, which can be quite uncomfortable when coupled with intense fatigue. Melatonin is a safe and non-habit-forming sleep aid.
• Non-addictive muscle relaxants – Medications like Gablofen and Lioresal have been repeatedly proven to reduce the overwhelming psychological benzodiazepine cravings that often lead to relapse.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors – This specific type of antidepressant has been proven to alleviate the more disruptive psychological symptoms associated with Valium withdrawal.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers – Medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen might be used to treat symptoms like headaches, low-grade fever and general feelings of physical discomfort.

Valium Addiction Recovery Statistics & Outlook

As rates of benzodiazepine use continue to increase, it is more important than ever that those struggling with Valium use disorders have access to effective clinical care. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, “Benzodiazepine use in the U.S. is higher than previously reported and misuse accounted for nearly 20% of use overall. Use among adults 50–64 has now exceeded use by those ≥65. Clinicians should monitor patients also prescribed stimulants or opioids for benzodiazepine misuse. Improved access to behavioral interventions for sleep or anxiety may reduce some misuse.”

Medical detox will always be necessary to treat the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal. At Boca Detox we utilize numerous proven and effective detoxification methods, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and tapering. Our team of medical professionals is composed of a combination of addiction specialists, prescribing physicians, and licensed therapists and psychiatrists. We provide quality clinical care in a homestyle retreat, which was carefully designed with client comfort in mind. We understand that committing to recovery can be scary, and that the anticipation of undergoing opiate withdrawal is generally much worse than the withdrawal process itself. Rest assured that you are in good hands, and our staff members all work together to make the process pain-free and efficient.

Begin Your Journey of Addiction Recovery Today

The symptoms associated with Valium withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable when left untreated. It is important to seek the care of a team of experienced medical professionals before associated symptoms peak in severity. At Boca Detox we effectively treat the symptoms associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal while providing our clients with the tools they need to continue along on their personal journeys of addiction recovery. Getting started is as simple as reaching out for help. Once you make initial contact, either through our website or over the phone, you are put in touch with one of our experienced Treatment Advisors who will answer any additional questions and walk you through our simple admissions process. We begin by conducting a brief pre-assessment, which helps our medical team determine which detox methods are the best fit for you. We offer a free, no obligation insurance benefit check and arrange local transportation to our Boca, Florida detox center. All you have to do is reach out for help, and we will take care of the rest.