Addiction to benzodiazepines can result from past trauma, undertreated anxiety disorders, and also from excessive use of the drug. A lot of people start using depressants like Valium or alcohol to feel normal. But normal may be a term used for feeling relaxed, getting enough sleep, and so on.
Using a drug to feel normal is a type of unhealthy coping, and it can be extremely dangerous. This type of coping has potential to lead to dependence, tolerance, lack of control, and co-occurring disorders. As time goes on, a people might become unable to handle reality without a drug. They might take the drug so much, that they start building up a tolerance, which means that they need more of the drug than when they first started using it.
After a person develops a tolerance to depressants, they become more likely to also develop a dependence. Alcohol dependence is also referred to as alcoholism. An overdose is caused when a person takes too much of a drug and their body is unable to metabolize it fast enough. Mixing alcohol and Valium can increase the risk of overdose. It often leads to unintended, and unpredictable symptoms; an overdose can be fatal. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism not only does mixing depressants increase the chance of overdose, but it also can:.
As previously mentioned, some people mix Valium with alcohol without understanding the danger. While Diazepam may be beneficial for many, it is not recommended for everyone. Your doctor may suggest an alternative prescription based on past or current health issues and medications, such as:. Diazepam is also not recommended for children, seniors, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding.
As with all prescription medication, diazepam is not without potential side effects. Some side effects are minor and will not require medical attention or even a change in prescription.
However, other side effects may require immediate medical assistance and suspension of your prescription. You will likely only be prescribed small doses for a short period of time as this type of medication can be quite addictive and overdose may lead to death. You should never take diazepam without a prescription, and always use exactly as directed.
Side effects can be fatal if combined with alcohol, opioids, or any other drug that causes your breathing to slow or drowsiness.
And keep in mind that people can become addicted to benzodiazepines even when taken as prescribed. You should treat this medication with great caution. Interactions between alcohol and diazepam are dangerous and can be fatal. People will often intentionally mix the two because they presume the combination will intensify the relaxation feeling that alcohol creates. Other people will intentionally combine the two in an attempt to preemptively control the alcohol withdrawal symptoms they might feel the next day.
It is crucial to understand that when you combine the two, you will not accomplish either of these intended results. When you combine alcohol and diazepam, you will intensify the effects of the alcohol on your system, but it will not stop you from experiencing withdrawal.
You are also even more likely to experience the negative side effects of alcohol such as slowed breathing, loss of memory, increased drowsiness, nausea, and increased dependence. You will develop a higher tolerance more quickly, which could easily lead to addiction. Alcohol and the immune system. Alcohol research: Current Reviews, 37 2 , Home Facts Health effects of alcohol Lifestyle Is it ok to drink while on medication?
Is it OK to drink while on medication? The facts about drinking alcohol and taking medication. On this page. Alcohol and antibiotics You should not drink alcohol with certain types of antibiotics, like metronidazole and tinidazole.
Alcohol and painkillers Drinking small amounts of alcohol with painkillers that can be bought over the counter, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, is unlikely to cause any problems. When to avoid drinking alcohol with medication Sedative drugs: People taking benzodiazepines, including diazepam Valium , or anti-histamines that have a sedative effect, should avoid alcohol altogether.
For example, drinking alcohol while taking Ramipril, a drug used to treat high blood pressure, can make you feel dizzy and light-headed because the alcohol increases the blood pressure- lowering effects. Statins: Your doctor will ask about your alcohol consumption before prescribing statins. This is because people who regularly drink more than 14 units a week are more at risk of serious side effects of taking statins.
It's best to only take the amount that you need while abroad. You can contact the embassy for the country you're visiting. The GOV. UK website has a full list of foreign embassies in the UK.
If you have anxiety, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to help ease symptoms:. If you're having trouble sleeping, there are some things you can do to help yourself get a good night's sleep:. Page last reviewed: 25 February Next review due: 25 February Diazepam On this page About diazepam Key facts Who can and can't take diazepam How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About diazepam Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. Diazepam is available on prescription only. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today?
The most common side effect is feeling drowsy. You're not recommended to use diazepam for longer than 4 weeks. If you take diazepam and feel sleepy, do not drive or use tools or machines. Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. It can make you sleep very deeply. You may have breathing problems and difficulty waking up. It's also known as Valium, but this brand is not available in the UK anymore. It can also be taken by children aged 1 month or older for muscle spasms.
Diazepam rectal tubes can be used by adults and children. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting diazepam if you: have had an allergic reaction to diazepam or any other medicine in the past have liver or kidney problems have myasthenia gravis , a condition that causes muscle weakness have sleep apnoea , a condition that causes breathing problems when you're asleep have depression or thoughts of harming yourself or suicide have been diagnosed with personality disorder have or have had problems with alcohol or drugs have recently had a loss or bereavement have arteriosclerosis , a condition that affects the blood flow to your brain have low levels of a protein called albumin in your blood are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding are over 65 are going to be put to sleep have a general anaesthetic for an operation or other medical treatment.
Rectal tube Diazepam rectal tubes or rectal diazepam can be used if you or your child is having a fit. Tablets and liquid Take diazepam tablets or liquid with a drink of water. You'll usually take your medicine 1 to 3 times a day.
The usual dose for: anxiety - is 2mg taken 3 times a day. This can be increased to 5mg to 10mg 3 times a day. This can be given as 1mg twice a day and go up to 5mg 3 times a day. The dose can be increased up to 20mg 3 times a day if needed.
It's usually given twice a day, with 10 to 12 hours between each dose. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. If you get these side effects, keep taking the medicine and speak to your doctor: feeling sleepy or drowsy confusion problems with your co-ordination or controlling your movements shaky hands tremors Serious side effects It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking diazepam.
Tell a doctor straight away if: your breathing becomes very slow or shallow your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow you find it difficult to remember things amnesia you see or hear things that are not there hallucinations you think things that are not true delusions you keep falling over On very rare occasions, some people may experience unusual mood changes.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of these side effects: talking too much or feeling overexcited feeling agitated or restless feeling irritable or aggressive Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, diazepam may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. If you experience any other side effect, speak to your doctor.
If you become pregnant while taking diazepam, speak to your doctor. Diazepam and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, diazepam can be used during breastfeeding as long as you're only taking a low dose of diazepam occasionally or for a very short time.
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Important For safety, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does diazepam work? Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. It works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical in your brain.
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