Valium Rehab

Emerging on to the prescription medication scene in the 1980s, valium is a brand name for diazepam: a drug belonging to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.

While the brand is no longer available in the UK and other European countries, the active ingredient remains prolific.

Benzodiazepines like valium are anxiolytic drugs, meaning that they work in the brain to reduce anxiety. They are also classed as hypnotic sedatives (drugs with a tranquillizing effect), anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants that operate by calming the nervous system.

As such, valium is used in a variety of medical scenarios and is a highly effective drug when administered with care.

Usually, diazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders, severe panic attacks, insomnia related to anxiety, or alcohol withdrawal. Some of its less frequent uses include tetanus, convulsions, and sedation for minor surgeries.

It works by indirectly interacting with neurotransmitters and slowing activity in the brain. By enhancing the effects of GABA (an inhibitory transmitter), valium produces strong feelings of relaxation and relief from anxiety.

Along with other benzos, valium is often taken in tablet form (2 milligrams to 10 milligrams) or offered as an oral solution to be taken at home. Due to its addictive potential, doctors will prescribe valium only when necessary, and in small doses.

What is Valium Use Disorder?

As one of the oldest “tranks” (tranquillizers) on the market, valium has gained a reputation as a highly sought-after street drug that can produce a pleasant high and help with low moods.

However, with high dosage and/or regular use, many individuals develop a chemical dependency and/or addiction known as Valium Use Disorder (VUD).

As psychoactive drugs, benzodiazepines influence the feel-good chemicals in our brains, meaning that our reward centres learn to encourage valium use again and again.

Eventually, our brains struggle to differentiate between a benzodiazepine high or normal activities like eating an enjoyable meal. This leads to an overriding compulsion to use valium despite the ramifications.

When it comes to VUD, it’s important to note the distinction between chemical dependency and addiction: both of which are included under the term Valium Use Disorder.

Chemical dependence is when the cells in our bodies adapt and become reliant on a drug, while addiction refers to the condition where someone cannot resist the urge to use valium caused by their dependency.

Unfortunately, valium is more likely to move from chemical dependence to addiction due to the way it interacts with dopamine: a pleasure-producing hormone. As previously touched on, It interacts with certain GABA receptors in a way that increases the firing of dopamine neurons.

Someone with Valium Use Disorder, even if they are high-functioning, will eventually begin to exhibit a variety of behavioural and physical symptoms.

These include losing interest in the things they love, financial impairment from buying valium or falling asleep mid-conversation.

Valium Withdrawal and Detox

Another sign of extensive valium abuse is the onset of both physical and psychological withdrawal. Worryingly, anyone who has taken valium for 4 months (or less in severe cases) may experience adverse symptoms when they quit. The DSM-5 states that taking as little as 15mg of valium each day for 7 months.

This is because as valium levels accumulate in the body, it reduces its production of natural stress-relieving chemicals. This creates a vicious cycle wherein the body starts depending more on the drug to fill the chemical void left by the same drug.

As a result, benzos like valium are notoriously difficult to withdraw from: leading to an array of symptoms including stomach cramps, tremors, shaking, muscle pain, and profuse sweating.

It’s also possible for fatal complications to arise, especially among those who were previously taking around 100mg per day. These include hallucinations, seizures, depersonalisation, or even comas.

As such, those with valium addiction should never try quitting “cold turkey”, and should instead undergo a medically guided detox at a residential rehab.

A valium detox programme will gradually reduce someone’s dosage, normally every week, to minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms and prevent fatal complications.

Patients will also have the opportunity to receive medication that has been carefully tailored to their circumstances.

Before their detox, a consultant psychiatrist will evaluate the patient and make a note of any poly-drug interactions, co-occurring disorders, and medical history to choose the best medication for their unique addiction.

Medications used to ease valium withdrawal include Romazicon for acute symptoms, anticonvulsants, anti-inflammatories to relieve muscle pain, and anti-nausea tablets for digestive issues during detox.

Inpatient Valium Treatment

After their detox, patients looking to solidify their valium-free life must choose between two types of treatment: inpatient or outpatient. For those with additional needs such as co-occuring mental illness or acute VUD going back many years, inpatient treatment is encouraged.

Inpatient treatment provides a structured environment wherein participants stay overnight until their programme is complete. In addition to room and board, inpatients in private rehab have access to world-class facilities, and a team of professionals specialising in valium addictions.

Residential rehab programmes provide a 24/7 medically supervised environment where subjects can undertake a range of therapeutic practices.

While each programme will differ in its contents based on an individual’s needs, the basic structure remains the same, consisting of medically-assisted detox, psychotherapies, and aftercare in the community.

Once a patient has stabilised following detox, they’ll progress through a carefully designed combination of behavioural interventions, counselling, and group support therapies. Undergoing bespoke one-on-one counselling sessions help patients identify what triggers their valium use, curate healthy coping skills, and address any underlying trauma.

During their structured daily routine: a key way of reintroducing structure and stability into an addicted person’s life, patients keep busy with therapy while having time to reflect.

An inpatient’s daily routine in valium rehab consists of behavioural intervention, holistic therapy, group sessions, and a set of delicious meals, all with time to wind down in the evenings.

The unique combination of therapies and medication received by patients in residential rehab reflects the personalised nature of this treatment style. Treatment programmes are designed from the offset to address the unique needs of the client: taking into account their personality, history of valium use, and any co-occuring disorders.

Outpatient Valium Treatment

Rehab centres supplying outpatient care in the UK provide treatment sessions while allowing patients to live at home. This means that those who are high-functioning in their valium addiction can work through therapy while staying at work or school, or upholding responsibilities in the home.

Outpatient therapy sessions are similar to inpatient methods in their focus on preventing relapse and maintaining abstinence from valium. Depending on the individual’s severity, some programmes require 1 or 2 hours per week, while others consist of full 7-hour days, up to 5 times each week.

Those with acute valium use disorders who are unable to complete residential treatment are recommended a partial hospitalization programme. This intensive form of outpatient care requires patients to undergo 4-6 hours of counselling every day.

Patients will travel to appointments independently on a pre-arranged schedule, which will take place on-site at a nearby rehab for Valium.

Sessions are divided into individual psychotherapy similar to the behavioural interventions encountered by inpatients, and group support workshops. Overall, individuals can expect to spend between 6-12 months making the most of their outpatient programme.

Typically, outpatient rehab is only recommended to those who have already completed inpatient rehab, or who are addicted to valium alone. For such individuals, attending inpatient care might be too intensive, especially if they don’t have a problematic home environment that is unsafe to return to.

Furthermore, unlike more expensive inpatient care, outpatient treatment for valium can be accessed for free via The NHS. This provides immense relief for those worrying about the cost of residential rehab, and without any other financial support to turn to.

It might sound like outpatient treatment for valium holds all the answers; however, it’s far from optimal for many individuals.

Outpatient programmes lack the integrative on-site care needed for those with a high risk of relapse, alongside the personalised elements of treatment. Moreover, NHS programmes are blighted by high waiting lists: a worrying phenomenon affecting the health of millions in the UK.

What is the Cost of Valium Rehab?

The anticipated cost of attending valium rehab is one of the biggest reasons for addicted individuals not getting the help they need. While treatment can be costly, it’s important to note that there is a wide range of options available: from low-cost but high-quality centres to luxury clinics.

Opting for a budget valium rehab clinic with less luxurious facilities will cost around £1,000-£2,000 per week: a sum that includes bed, board, and all on-site treatments.

As such, for each month they spend at these more affordable clinics, patients can expect to pay between £4,000 and £8,000 for their bespoke recovery programme.

In contrast, a luxury rehab clinic set in extensive country-park grounds and with far grander accommodations will set clients back a far higher sum. Many clinics will charge upwards of £5,000 per week for their valium recovery programmes: equating to around £20,000 per month.

Fortunately, many valium rehab clinics in the UK now offer ways for their clients to afford treatment. These include financing options customised to suit each client’s budgetary needs: such as payment plans, and monthly instalments to help manage the cost.

How Long Should I Spend in Valium Rehab?

The length of time that a person spends rehabilitating depends on the severity of the valium addiction, whether they’re poly-drug users, or if they have additional needs via co-occurring disorders.

Many personal factors will come into play when deciding how long to spend in rehab, and the timeframe can change while someone is undergoing treatment.

For example, someone who has been battling valium addiction for years will have many risks attached to their treatment: taking longer to stabilize fully via detox, and needing longer to work on their mental health and relapse prevention strategy.

They’ll often remain in rehab for between 60 and 90 days, not including a medicated detox of up to 21 days.

Conversely, individuals with a milder case of Valium Use Disorder can expect to spend around 28-days in rehab. This is considered enough time by specialists for a comprehensive programme including detox, therapeutic activities, and medical adjustments along the way.

Types of Therapy Used in Valium Rehab

In valium rehab, therapeutic methods are used to help patients identify the root cause of their addiction, and will vary in how they’re structured.

Oftentimes, patients will encounter at least one form of behavioural intervention and group support method, but there is an ever-expanding range of therapies to help tackle the psychological impacts of Valium Use Disorder.

Group Support Therapy

Given the number of patients in valium rehab with co-morbid anxiety or depression, group therapy can be a powerful way to treat these conditions. Communicating regularly with peers in a therapeutic environment helps patients to realize that they aren’t alone in their struggles.

There are many more benefits to group therapy in valium rehab in addition to its supportive nature. It can help enhance problem-solving skills by working together to resolve any conflicts within the group and provide lasting friendships outside of rehab.

Furthermore, group therapy participants are usually all in different stages of their treatment programme: one person might be about to graduate from their programme, while another has just started therapy.

This can inspire others to see that recovery is possible and that their problems aren’t as all-consuming as they previously considered them to be.

Group support sessions in rehab often run at least once a week for 1-2 hours and are guided by a counsellor who will help patients get the most out of their discussions. Sessions are usually dictated by a certain therapy modality, such as either Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Family Behavioural Therapy (FBT)

By involving family and friends in someone’s treatment for valium, both the patient and their loved ones may realize that their addiction is part of a bigger family problem.

Some members of the familial unit may not understand the complexities of addictive behaviour or may be enabling their loved one to use valium without realizing it.

Following the acute detox phase of valium rehab, family therapy can be used to teach loved ones how to support and encourage healthy changes and set boundaries while remaining sympathetic.

By helping one member of the family to heal from their addiction, it’s thought that everyone else in the group will feel the positive impacts.

The supportive space created by FBT also allows other issues to come to the fore and receive therapeutic attention. Other problems that can be addressed by family therapy include domestic abuse, parenting skills, and familial conflict.

FBT workshops are often most effective when staged in a clinical environment with the support of a trained professional. As such, sessions will likely take place at a valium rehab clinic, either while the addicted person is undergoing separate therapy, or while they’re recovering as an outpatient.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a form of communicative therapy informed by the principles of behaviourism: which describes how people’s behaviour can be modified.

The other half of its methodology borrows from theories of cognition: focusing on how subjects feel, think, and view the world around them.

The combination of these two frameworks is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: an effective treatment for victims of Valium Use Disorder. CBT therapists in valium rehab look for how a patient’s addictive behaviour is influenced by their thoughts and belief systems.

For example, someone addicted to valium may harbour negative, irrational thought patterns such as catastrophizing, or black-and-white thinking. This can create feelings of anxiety and depression which, in turn, leads them to use valium in an attempt to block out these feelings.

CBT sessions teach subjects to identify these negative thoughts, and change the way they perceive and interact with them. This allows for the formation of new coping skills to help deal with stress, and minimise relapse-inducing cravings.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT for valium abuse operates differently from behavioural intervention methods as, rather than evoking change, it teaches subjects how to live with the addiction. Oftentimes, those with VUD use the substance to block feelings of anxiety or emotional pain, with many attending rehab with co-occurring anxiety.

Rather than change these feelings, ACT encourages patients to accept that emotional suffering is a part of life and that it won’t last forever. The ACT philosophy is: once a patient realises that suffering is sometimes unavoidable, they’ll respond to it more healthily rather than using valium to cope.

After a sequence of ACT sessions in valium rehab, many patients develop greater psychological flexibility. This means that they can accept reality in whichever form it takes, even in its negativity, and learn new ways to approach their demons head-on.

Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies for addiction have emerged in recent years along with the recognised need to treat co-occurring mental illnesses. They are activities and treatments that address the whole person, rather than just their symptoms of valium addiction. This means approaching the mind, body, and spirit as a site for collective healing.

Alternative therapies are therefore anything that helps promote the following processes in someone’s recovery. These are helping to alleviate stress and provide ways to regulate emotionally, create new hobbies through healthy activities, and calm the nervous system following valium misuse.

The types of Alternative Therapies you’re likely to encounter in rehab include acupuncture, meditation, reiki, and yoga, alongside art and music therapy. There are also chances to participate in therapies involving animals, such as equine therapy where patients learn to groom and ride horses.

Finding a Valium Rehab in Your Area

Many inpatient valium rehab centres operate in the UK which, though providing plenty of options, can be an overwhelming search.

For those ready to reclaim their lives from valium’s grasp, or who wish to help a loved one find an appropriate rehab centre, the time to reach out is now.

At Rehab Recovery, we’ve bought together a passionate team of experts, some of whom have been in recovery themselves, to help addicted individuals access the correct treatment in their area.

Once you’ve reached out, we’ll organize a comprehensive evaluation with one of our specialists and start building a shortlist of valium rehab centres based on your individual needs.

Each valium rehab in the UK has its own set of treatment philosophies and unique approaches to treating VUD. Before securing your place as an inpatient or outpatient, we’ll help you or a family member to build a list of treatment preferences.

These can include treatment environment/setting, programme cost, or the amenities and features on offer.

To start your recovery journey from valium addiction optimally, simply give us a call on 0800 088 66 86. We’re available at all times of the day or night, and uphold a strict confidentiality policy as our professional code of conduct.