Valium (Diazepam) Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Valium (Diazepam) Abuse

Valium is a prescription drug that contains diazepam. It’s used to treat anxiety disorders, muscle spasms and seizures. Because Valium can cause calming and sedation, it’s possible for prescribed use to progress to misuse, dependence and addiction, especially with long-term prescriptions.

You may hear Valium referred to as diazepam or benzos. Common street names include Vals, V’s and downers, but the terminology varies by location. The biggest safety issue associated with diazepam misuse is mixing it with alcohol, opioids or other sedatives, which can cause dangerously slow breathing and increase your Valium overdose risk.

This guide explores Valium addiction, including warning signs and withdrawal symptoms. Since it focuses on the signs and side effects of Valium misuse, it doesn’t discuss Valium addiction treatment options or rehab programs.

Valium is a benzodiazepine, so it slows activity in the brain and nervous system. This can create powerful relief from anxiety, tension or insomnia. Many people start using Valium as prescribed, but then they start to rely on it for daily sleep, calm or emotional escape.

Over time, your body adapts to the effects of Valium on the nervous system. This is known as Valium tolerance. Once you become tolerant, you need more Valium to get the same effects you used to get at lower doses.

Valium and other benzodiazepines can also cause an intense, potentially dangerous withdrawal process. You may continue using Valium to avoid feeling sick or panicky. Mixing Valium with other substances can lead to blackouts, increased risk-taking and loss of control.

Valium abuse is any use of Valium that falls outside the prescribing guidelines, including:

• Taking extra doses
• Using it for longer than recommended
• Taking it more often than directed
• Using someone else’s prescription

Valium addiction, also known as diazepam addiction, refers to compulsive use accompanied by intense cravings, loss of control and continued use despite harm. Diazepam abuse often starts with a desire to get some sleep or “just come down.” Over time, it can shift to using Valium just to feel normal.

Signs of Valium misuse include:

• Getting early refills
• Stockpiling pills
• Hiding your use from loved ones
• Using it to manage hangovers
• Taking Valium to come down from stimulations
• Continuing to use it despite relationship issues or safety concerns

While laypeople use the terms abuse and addiction, clinicians now use updated terms, such as misuse and substance use disorder (SUD).

Physical dependence occurs when your body adapts to regular Valium use. This causes you to experience withdrawal symptoms if you attempt to stop using it or lower your dose.

Psychological Valium dependence is when you feel unable to cope without Valium. You may also have difficulty relaxing or sleeping if you don’t take diazepam.

The risk of dependence increases with long-term use, high doses and daily use of Valium. Although dependence isn’t the same as addiction, escalating use and risky use patterns may indicate that misuse is about to turn into a benzodiazepine use disorder.

The signs of Valium addiction aren’t limited to your physical health. You may also experience changes related to mental health, mood and cognition.

Physical signs of Valium addiction include:

• Heavy drowsiness
• Slowed reaction time
• Poor coordination
• Slurred speech

Due to its status as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, Valium can affect cognitive function. You may have difficulty learning, processing information, remembering things or concentrating.

CNS depressants also affect mood, especially if you have to delay your next dose. It’s common to feel anxious or irritable if you can’t take Valium as planned. You may also experience cravings.

Common behavioral and medication-use signs include:

• Using more of it than intended
• Failed attempts to reduce your usage
• Spending a significant amount of time using or getting Valium
• Continued use despite harm
• Running out of medication early
• Taking extra doses when you’re stressed
• Using multiple prescribers
• Buying pills from nonmedical sources

Impact of Valium Use

Because Valium affects mood, cognition and behavior, misuse can have a big impact on your life. One potential sign of Valium addiction is a sudden increase in relationship conflict.

Addiction affects the entire family, not just the person with the substance use disorder. If you’re irritable due to Valium withdrawal, for example, you might find yourself snapping at loved ones. Diazepam addiction can also interfere with romantic relationships.

Financial difficulties are another sign of Valium addiction. Although anyone can have financial trouble, someone who’s addicted to Valium might borrow money repeatedly or fall behind on payments because they’re spending money on benzodiazepines.

People may even have legal difficulties due to their substance misuse. For example, if someone buys pills from an undercover law enforcement officer, they may be charged with possession of a controlled substance. It’s also possible to be charged with driving under the influence if you get pulled over while Valium is in your system.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be severe, especially if you stop taking it suddenly. It may even be dangerous if you’ve been taking high doses or using Valium for a long period of time.

Typical Valium withdrawal symptoms include:

• Rebound anxiety
• Panic symptoms
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Nausea

The withdrawal process may also cause some serious symptoms, including confusion, hallucinations and severe agitation. Some people even experience seizures.

The severity of diazepam withdrawal symptoms depends on:

• Dose
• Duration
• Individual health factors
• Use of Valium with other substances

The short-term side effects of Valium abuse include:

• Sedation
• Dizziness
• Slowed reaction time
• Blurred thinking
• Impaired coordination

Valium also affects your behavior, so you may exhibit poor judgment or make risky decisions. Some people experience blackouts or mood changes. It’s even possible to overdose, which can cause dangerous breathing problems, especially when you combine it with alcohol, opioids or other sedatives.

Over time, Valium misuse may lead to tolerance or dependence. It’s also common to experience dulled cognitive function, sleep disruptions and worsening anxiety between doses. In severe cases, Valium abuse can cause serious safety issues, such as falls, unsafe driving and accidents.

Risk factors are things that increase your likelihood of developing a certain condition. Your health, family history and living environment can all contribute to a heightened risk of addiction.

People with certain mental health disorders may use Valium to relieve their symptoms. As a result, anxiety, depression and panic disorder are all risk factors for substance misuse. You may also have a higher risk if you have a history of trauma.

Your use patterns can also play a role in the development of a substance use disorder. Long-term use, higher doses and use of Valium as a sleep aid are common risk factors.

These factors also make it more likely that you’ll become addicted to Valium:

• Prior misuse of alcohol, opioids or stimulants
• History of substance use disorder
• Multiple prescribers
• Combining sedating medications
• Limited monitoring by a healthcare provider
• Stress
• Chronic health conditions
• Relationship conflict
• Poor sleep habits
• Limited coping skills
• Isolation

Diagnosing Valium addiction involves gathering information about your use patterns over time. This helps clinicians determine if you meet the criteria for a substance use disorder diagnosis.

During an assessment, expect to discuss:

• Loss of control
• Cravings
• Risky use
• Impact of Valium misuse
• Tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Continued use despite harm

You’ll also undergo a mental health screening. Anxiety and insomnia can drive Valium misuse, so this screening helps your care team identify any co-occurring factors that could be contributing to your benzodiazepine use disorder.

It’s also important to undergo a medication review to determine if there’s a risk of dangerous interactions. Reviewing your medications also helps separate Valium misuse symptoms from withdrawal symptoms or co-occurring disorders.

Benzodiazepine misuse can build gradually, especially if you started taking Valium to relieve anxiety or ease muscle spasms. It’s not a personal failure, but you may need structured support if you’ve been escalating doses, mixing Valium with other substances or experiencing scary withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using it.

You may also benefit from professional care if you’ve been dealing with blackouts or repeated failed attempts to cut back. If someone can’t wake up, has trouble breathing, has a seizure or collapses, call 911 right away.

Help.org is a free, confidential treatment finder that can help you locate prescription sedative support. Use it to compare Valium rehab centers based on your clinical needs, personal preferences and location.