Try as they might, people hiding a substance abuse issue are bound to be found out sooner or later. This is because any kind of addiction is sure to create a profound and noticeable change in the person. These changes range from being subtle but increasingly pronounced to undeniably obvious.
Valium addiction is one such dependency issue. All over the world, people deal with insomnia, anxiety, and muscle pain, and spasms in their own way. Some prefer to take it in stride for as long as it is not debilitating, while others will take something for it, usually Valium or some other similar substance.
The problem lies in the fact that Valium does have a tendency to be habit-forming. Before they know it, those taking it frequently are already hooked on it, and the longer they stay on it, the greater the dependency becomes. This is how an addiction starts out.
What are the Signs of Valium Addiction?
It is not uncommon for people to seek relief and comfort when they are so strung out that they can’t even get any decent rest. Substance abuse almost always starts with the “I’ll just have one to take the edge off” idea, and then it’s all downhill from there. In the case of Valium addiction, most would think that taking it most of the time isn’t really all that harmful, since not being able to sleep is harmful.
The problem here is that Valium has potent sedative properties. These properties make it useful in treating anxiety, muscle spasms and pain, and also as a treatment for seizures. This medication could stay in the body for as long as 90 days, depending on the person’s metabolism.
The potency and long-lasting effects of Valium are exponentially greater if taken in an unregulated manner, as is usually the case with addiction. This is why the signs of addiction to this substance are quite pronounced, including:
- General sluggishness
- Lack or impaired coordination
- Loss of appetite
- Slurred speech
- Slowed reaction time
- Lethargy
- Dilated pupils
- Disinterested demeanor
Most people addicted to Valium have been described as sleepwalkers or zombies, alive but seemingly devoid of life. It also manifests in their demeanor, as most have displayed a general disinterest in almost everything. Most will simply not care about anything, although others might display a measure of irritability, particularly when they are having trouble with movement, coordination, or understanding what is being said to them.
How Dangerous Are the Physical Symptoms of Valium Addiction?
This type of addiction is particularly dangerous as it also comes with some very stark physical symptoms that are not only obvious, but also quite dangerous. These symptoms could affect how a person processes information, how they perceive the world around them, and how they choose to react to it, if at all. If more people knew these dangers earlier on, they probably would not even bother to ask the question, “can you get addicted to Valium” at all.
Inability to Focus
Some have said Valium addiction leaves them feeling like their head was constantly in a cloud. Their ability to perceive things becomes hazy, with their thoughts becoming hazy as well. This inability to perceive their surroundings and process what is happening makes them a danger to themselves and to others.
Dizziness
In some cases, the hazy sensation is replaced by outright dizzy spells. The dizziness could be sporadic, with intervals in between spells, or it could be one long torturous event. The dizziness could be so bad that it prevents them from practically doing anything at all. This could already lead to a dangerous situation even at home, and potentially much worse if it were to happen outside.
Abnormal Breathing
Those with a tendency to have an allergy to medications have a greater chance of having a reaction to Valium. The potency of Valium is such that even those with no previous history of an allergic reaction to it were found to have developed breathing difficulties because of chronic use.
Loss of Balance
There are also Valium users who say that they have instances of a sudden loss of balance, experiencing a sensation akin to vertigo or nausea. Given that many manifest symptoms of dizziness and an inability to focus, losing one’s balance due to Valium abuse is no surprise. This is particularly dangerous as one could fall down a flight of stairs, or even while crossing the street.
Delirium
Apart from the dizzy spells and inability to focus, some heavy Valium users have actually claimed that they experience bouts of delirium. These incidents are characterized by hallucinations, and some are so vivid that the ones experiencing them cannot tell the difference. This symptom is believed by some to be a manifestation of neurological damage from repeated use of Valium.
Memory Loss
Similar to the possible neurological damage to heavy Valium users that resulted in delirium, some have claimed to experience various levels of memory loss. There are those who say their short-term memory has been severely affected, while others find it difficult to recall things from their earlier life. The sad thing about this is that there are those who have successfully kicked their Valium habit but still cannot recall the memories they lost.
Weakness
Those undergoing the drug rehabilitation process are usually encouraged to have a more active lifestyle. This helps them metabolize whatever substance is left in their system, and also helps them get back into shape after their unhealthy habit. The trouble with recovering Valium users is that they manifest physical weakness, something that makes an active lifestyle very difficult.
These symptoms are particularly hazardous because they could manifest at any time. If the one with the addiction happened to be driving, operating heavy equipment, or any other crucial line of work, they could put their lives, and the lives of others in serious danger if these symptoms occur. The mere fact that their judgment could be clouded due to frequent Valium use is alarming in itself already, as they could dismiss just how much of a danger they could be.
What Behavioral Changes Could Happen Due to Valium Addiction?
One of the most difficult things to witness in a loved one suffering from substance abuse is the radical change in behavior that happens. Oftentimes a loved one who has an addiction changes so much that they barely resemble the person they once were before the habit. This is made worse by the physical changes that inevitably come due to the unhealthy habit. Most who have witnessed it firsthand wish they had been there the moment their loved one asked, “how addictive is Valium” so that they could do their best to quell the curiosity before it took hold.
Getting a loved one to kick the habit before they are too far gone is a rare and fortunate thing, as many loved ones go through the heartbreaking process of watching someone they care for slowly self-destruct before the treatment makes any progress. The behavioral changes make the rehabilitation process even more difficult, as the person with addiction goes through the painful withdrawal phase, making them hate everything and everyone.
Crippling Paranoia
Paranoia is an issue common with practically anyone who has had a substance abuse problem at any point in their life. This stems from the idea that everyone around the person with addiction would want nothing more than to shame them for their bad habit. Even those with the best intention, that of getting their loved one into rehab, are vilified because part of the process is getting them to stop giving in to their addiction, something they are not ready to do.
Irrational Fears
Apart from thinking that everyone wants to get them into rehab, some people with substance abuse issues think that people may be trying to help them only want to get rid of them. Coupled with bouts of delirium, these people often think that they are being sent into rehab, not for their own betterment, but so that the people who sent them there could benefit from their absence.
Depression and Melancholy
Those who do not become combative about the entire rehabilitation process often go off the other deep end, and consider themselves as not worthy of being saved. These people are gripped by an extreme defeatist attitude, believing that everything bad will happen to them because they deserve it. In instances like this, showing pity could only make things worse, as these people need moral and emotional fortification more.
How Can People with Valium Dependency be Helped?
The first step to helping someone with any kind of substance dependency is to seek a solution for them, rather than set them up for recrimination. This is why we make a point of educating the people around the person with the dependency problem first before we try to help the actual person out of the habit.
We here at Intrepid Detox know that the most important thing for those in recovery is understanding and support, and who better to get it from than those who truly care for them. Let us help you guide them back, because we know how to do it best.