9 Noticeable Signs of Diazepam Addiction

Diazepam, generic for Valium, works to manage anxiety issues.¹Forming an addiction to it outweighs the benefits you get from this prescribed medication. Therefore, this blog talks about the signs of diazepam addiction, such as:

1. Palpitations
2. Dry mouth 
3. Anxiety
4. Having thoughts of suicide
5. Obtaining prescriptions from several physicians
6. Losing a job or having performance issues at work
7. Issues with the law, such as driving under the influence
8. Going the extra mile to acquire refills or prescriptions
9. Seizures

Besides that, it discusses “when does diazepam become addictive”, the dangers of diazepam misuse, and “how do you treat diazepam addiction”.

Can’t overcome the urge to use Diazepam? Reach out to drug and alcohol addiction specialists in NJ  for a tapering schedule at 844.445.2565 or enroll here to get admitted to diazepam rehab.

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Is Diazepam Addictive?

Those who have a history of substance misuse may develop an addiction to diazepam as well. The addiction potential of diazepam is quite high as it is absorbed quickly by the brain tissues.² Even if a doctor prescribes it to you for a short time, it alters brain function. Developing an addiction to it makes the brain rely on it. Which means your brain and body will struggle with normal functioning.

How to Recognize Diazepam Addiction: 9 Obvious Signs 

If you or someone around you is showing one or more of these signs, you may have an addiction:

1. Using More than Intended: Taking doses that are greater than you were prescribed.
2. Unable to Avoid Intake: If you have been trying to quit it for a long time, but can’t seem to do anything about it.
3. Intense Cravings: If the thoughts and urge to use it keep coming at all times.
4. Failure to Meet Responsibilities: Giving up on social activities, poor performance at work. Neglecting relationships.
5. Higher Tolerance: If the higher doses give the same effects as the lower doses used formerly. 
6. Withdrawal Symptoms: When you try to reduce the doses or quit it entirely, withdrawal symptoms emerge.
7. Loss of Coordination: Slowed eye movement, speech difficulties, shaking, and an unsteady walking style.
8. Extreme Dizziness: Feeling sleepy throughout the day, also impacting the ability to focus.
9. Losing Control Over Usage: When it aggravates health and mental issues, yet you can’t seem to do anything to cut back or quit using it. 

5 Common Dangers of Diazepam Addiction

Diazepam is especially dangerous when you try it: 

1. When used without a doctor’s supervision
2. When combined with painkillers or alcohol
3. Exceeding recommended dosages
4. Utilized recreationally
5. Long-term use rather than short-term

Diazepam Abuse

Diazepam abuse is when you: 

1. Take the drug in a method that was not recommended, e.g., snorting diazepam.
2. Use the substances for purposes other than medicinal ones.
3. Use a prescription medication illegally, such as by purchasing it illegally or stealing someone else’s prescription. 

Understanding the Effects of Diazepam

What are the Long-term Side Effects of Diazepam?

If you keep taking Diazepam against the doctor’s advice, you may find yourself in these situations:

1. 7 Dangerous Physical Symptoms

Long-term diazepam use can cause serious physical side effects that include

1. Drowsiness
2. Ataxia (poor muscle control due to brain damage)
3. Exhaustion
4. Disorientation
5. Weakness, 
6. Vertigo
7. Higher risk of hip fractures after a fall

2. Diazepam Overdose 

Serious health issues like respiratory depression or coma can result from diazepam overdose.³ In certain situations, this may result in death. For others, these encounters may result in long-term consequences, including brain damage or a deterioration in heart health.

The risk of diazepam increases in two situations:

• Using it in combination with opioids: According to research, benzodiazepines with opioids cause overdose.⁴
• Alcohol and Diazepam: Alcohol and benzodiazepines potentiate the side effects of each other, causing CNS depression.

3. Declining Mental Health

Long-term diazepam use may result in additional psychological issues. People who already suffer from mental illnesses like depression or anxiety may have these problems amplified. Sometimes, paranoia from diazepam addiction may lead to thoughts of suicide or self-harm. To sum it up, here is how long-term diazepam use changes your brain:

• Depersonalization: Feeling disconnected from yourself and your surroundings.
• Perceptual abnormalities: Hallucination, distortions, and psychosis.
• Risk of Dementia: Memory issues, mostly in the elderly.

What are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Diazepam?

Withdrawal symptoms depend on tolerance. That means when the recommended dosage gradually loses its effectiveness, you may notice benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms even when taking medication. Here are the common withdrawal symptoms of diazepam:

• Sleep disturbance
• Irritability
• Panic attacks
• Hand tremor
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Palpitations
• Headache
• Difficulty in concentration

A study was conducted where diazepam doses were reduced for people who were on it.⁵ Half of the patients started withdrawing right away, and the other half did so after eight weeks. Patients with anxiety disorders had a much higher prevalence of withdrawal symptoms.

How Do You Treat Diazepam Addiction at ChoicePoint

ChoicePoint can help with diazepam addiction with the following programs, depending on the specifics of your case:

1. Medical Detox 

A professional medical detox in NJ  for diazepam addiction is effective in limiting the risk of dangerous withdrawal symptoms. You can get help from an insurance-covered drug detox in NJ, which may give a long-acting benzodiazepine in low dosages, lowering the danger of seizures and other symptoms safely. 

2. Dual Diagnosis 

Our drug counseling NJ Center supports dual diagnosis by offering mental health counseling, psychiatric care, and medication management services. We acknowledge that many individuals who battle a diazepam addiction also suffer from co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety, past traumas, and depression, as contributing factors.

We also accept insurance at diazepam rehab from most privately-funded providers. Verify your insurance to initiate your journey of lifelong recovery from diazepam addiction. 

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FAQs on Diazepam Addiction

Here are some of the concerns you showed on the internet about the risks of diazepam use:

1. How bad is diazepam addiction?

With a week or two of diazepam usage, the body becomes tolerant to it. Simply put, diazepam dependence develops quite fast, changing the complex cognitive functioning of the brain. This includes reduced ability to react promptly in situations that need alertness.⁶

2. Why won’t doctors prescribe Diazepam to an alcoholic trying to cut down, saying it’s dangerous or addictive, yet when I’m in hospital suffering withdrawal seizures from trying to cut down, I’m given Diazepam to stop the seizures?

In a hospital setting, the clinical staff is present to ensure that you don’t develop an addiction to diazepam. Secondly, diazepam acts rather fast to terminate alcohol withdrawal symptoms like seizures.

3. How many days is it until you become addicted to diazepam on 2 mg?

Taking this dose regularly for 4-6 weeks can get you addicted to diazepam.

4. Does taking 20 mg diazepam regularly – three consecutive nights per week – constitute an addiction?

Yes, 20 mg of diazepam is a strong dose that is meant to be taken for a short term. 

5. Is it possible to develop an addiction to Valium (Diazepam) even when taking normal doses?

Absolutely. Using it for over four weeks can cause an addiction. Therefore, if you use it frequently, do it under the guidance of an addiction specialist in NJ.

References

1. Dhaliwal JS, Rosani A, Saadabadi A. Diazepam [Internet]. National Library of Medicine. StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537022/
2. Juergens S. Alprazolam and diazepam: Addiction potential. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 1991 Jan;8(1-2):43–51.
3. Kang M, Galuska MA, Sassan Ghassemzadeh. Benzodiazepine Toxicity [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2023 [cited 2025 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482238/#
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Benzodiazepines and opioids [Internet]. National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2022. Available from: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids
5. Tyrer P, Owen R, Dawling S. GRADUAL WITHDRAWAL OF DIAZEPAM AFTER LONG-TERM THERAPY. The Lancet. 1983 Jun;321(8339):1402–6.
6. Zeidy Muñoz‐Torres, Armony JL, Trejo-Martínez D, Rubén López Conde, María Corsi-Cabrera. Behavioural and neural effects of diazepam on a rule-guided response selection task. Neuroscience Research. 2011 Jul 1;70(3):260–8.