Where to Get Help for Valium Addiction
Once someone has recognised that they have a problem with a substance — in this case, Valium — they may decide they want help. At first, it may seem overwhelming, but with the right guidance the process can be broken down into small, concise steps.
There are multiple places that provide help for addiction and substance abuse, for example local community centres, support groups, charities or hospitals. There may also be private rehabilitation clinics nearby that can help. Different places will provide different forms of help. A good place to start would be a local GP. (1)
Importance of treating Valium addiction & when to seek treatment
Valium is a benzodiazepine that affects chemicals in the brain and is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and muscle spasms. Although Valium is effective to treat these things, it also causes the user’s dopamine levels surge, making it highly addictive. (2)
Individuals build a tolerance to Valium if they use it too much, at which point they will also get withdrawal effects if they stop using it. Addiction causes strong cravings for the drug and makes people lose interest in hobbies, family and friends. (3)
The individual should seek treatment as soon as they realise the addiction. Often, if someone is wondering whether they need to find help or not, that means that they probably do. (3)
Understanding Valium addiction treatment and rehab options
When people are going through drug rehabilitation, they must first understand and accept that they have a problem and be willing to receive treatment. Often, therapy is an important part of it. It helps the person with addiction overcome the inevitable cravings and learn how to cope with life without using drugs. (4)
Stopping Valium use can increase the risk of seizures and delirium, which is why the detoxification is often medically assisted. After detoxification, behavioural interventions or therapy come in to play.
Once the person has started the process of seeking treatment, they must consider the different rehab options. Something else to consider is whether they want inpatient rehab, where they are admitted into a clinic, or outpatient rehab, where they can remain at home.
- Charities
- NHS Options
- Private Rehab
- Residential Care
Private rehab vs free treatment options for Valium addiction
Free treatment has the advantage that, of course, it is free. This does come with a number of negatives, however. Free treatments often have long waiting times due to the demand and lack of resources. Clients will probably also not have access to residential treatment. Lastly, free services are often a one-size-fits-all treatment, so clients won’t get a personally customised treatment plan.
Private rehab, while more costly, provides clients with a distraction-free environment, allowing them to focus entirely on getting better. Private clinics will often provide residential treatment, which brings significant group support. This has been shown to positively contribute to long-term sobriety. (5)
Executive/luxury rehab programmes for Valium addiction
Luxury rehab programmes are very similar to regular residential rehab programmes but have more elaborate amenities. Additionally, they are typically located in beautiful locations in resort-like settings. Such programmes do cost more than regular residential treatment plans.
Executive rehab programmes are similar to luxury rehab programmes but are specifically for working professionals, so the programme is designed and structured so that it is possible to continue working throughout recovery. Confidentiality is a key part of executive rehab programmes. (6)
What Happens in Valium Rehab?
Most Valium rehab programmes follow a similar structure. The first part is the intake and evaluation. Potential clients are tested to see how long they will have to stay in the clinic and which treatment methods are best suited.
The next stage is detoxification, the process by which all of the Valium leaves the body. This typically lasts several days. Usually, the staff will have the client slowly taper off the drug instead of stopping it immediately, in order to minimise withdrawal risks. The client may receive medications to ease the tapering.
The last two stages are therapy and aftercare, created and customised to the client’s specific situation. (7)
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Valium rehab admission process
The admission process for Valium is similar to that of other drugs. First, an assessment will be made to find out which treatment is needed and whether that clinic is suitable for the client’s particular situation.
He or she will then be asked about any relevant medical history and about the history of his or her issue. After this, the correct program can be selected for them. Next, the fees will be explained. If he or she decides to go to the clinic, a payment will have to be made before admission. The last thing that may be organised is travel, if that is an issue. (8)
Valium addiction assessment
When a Valium addiction is being assessed, the main things that are taken into consideration are to which extent the client craves the drug, continues to use the drug despite obvious problems, loses connections with friends and family, ignores obligations and becomes isolated. This is where it is important that the client is honest. In this case, lying is a waste of time for both the client and the rehab clinic. (3)
There are also a number of self-assessment tools online to help assess an addiction, however these are not always accurate. Assessment is best done with a medical professional.
Acceptance of the problem
Accepting a problem with Valium does not happen instantly, it’s a process. It will require the person to change his or her mindset and beliefs. Acceptance comes from understanding that addiction is a brain disease, with cravings, poor judgement and bad decision making as its symptoms. Acceptance is no more than overcoming denial.
Some people want to go to rehab due to external motivators, such as legal issues or to get out of a DUI conviction. These people often can’t accept that they are addicted and consequently are less likely to truly rehabilitate. True acceptance is the first step to quitting. (9)
Medically assisted/controlled detoxification
Valium is a long-acting benzodiazepine, with effects lasting between 20 and 100 hours. Withdrawal effects can be noticed within two to seven days after the last dose and continue for two to eight weeks. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, poor concentration and memory and muscle tension. Bad withdrawals can be fatal.
With medically assisted detoxification, medical professionals will set up a Valium dose reducing schedule. Each dose reduction depends on the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. The health care worker will regularly (multiple times per day) inquire about the client’s symptoms in order to make sure the client is safely detoxifying. (10)
Rehabilitation
Once the detoxification is complete, the client will start to focus on the mental side of addiction through therapy. There are multiple forms of therapy, some of which work better than others, depending on the individual. A common form is motivational nurturing; working to develop an intrinsic motivation to quit Valium. This is often combined with extrinsic rewards, tangible prizes for, for example, visiting therapy sessions.
There is also cognitive behavioural therapy, which tries to find underlying connections between thoughts, behaviours and feelings and drug use. Lastly, group therapy sessions help to encourage positive peer pressure. These forms of therapy will set up the recovering client for long-term sobriety.
Recovery
After rehabilitation has concluded, it is time for the person in question to become independent again. This is the time period in which most relapses occur. During this period it is critical to continue using the mindset and coping mechanisms learnt through therapy to avoid relapsing. Sometimes, it can be beneficial to cut off old contacts or to get a change of scene in order to completely focus on recovery.
For many ex-addicts, they still have to take it one day at a time – some people choose to still call themselves addicts after years of sobriety. The most important thing is to stay on track.
What Is an Inpatient Rehab Programme?
With an inpatient rehab programme, the client receives all therapy and services in a hospital or clinic. The treatment is typically more personally customised to the client’s needs. Medical staff will help assess goals, progress towards reaching those goals and barriers to achieving them. The fact that the clients remain in the hospital or clinic makes it easier for them to stay on track and not get distracted. The downside is that it requires a greater amount of time from the client. (12)
That being said, inpatient rehab programs can be a great way to regain control over a Valium addiction.
Types of therapy offered to clients
Besides the types of therapy discussed previously, there are several other options.
Motivational nurturing typically tries to combine intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Intrinsic motivation means that the client genuinely sees the need to stop using Valium, and extrinsic motivation is a tangible reward for, for example, attending a group meeting. This combination rewards the client for abstaining.
Another popular form of therapy is cognitive behavioural therapy. This type of therapy will analyse which behaviours, feelings and thoughts are potentially a trigger to use Valium. By establishing these connections, the client can question the nature of these connections and be mindful of them.
Lastly, there are regular group therapy sessions. These make the client feel less isolated and give them another reason to stay clean – for their fellow ex-addicts. This kind of positive peer pressure has proved an excellent way of staying clean.
What Is Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab is a form of rehab that allows the client to stay at home, go to school or work and mostly continue their life. Recovering people will regularly meet for individual or group therapy sessions and have talks with a psychiatrist. If they are taking medications, they will also receive these from their psychiatrist.
The main downside to outpatient rehab is that clients will still face the same triggers every day and continue to live the same life. The positive side of this is that clients can actively test their newly learned coping mechanisms and have a realistic view of what sober life could be like. (13)
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Day programmes
Day treatment is similar to inpatient treatment in its effectiveness. With day treatment, however, clients do not eat, sleep or live in the clinic. Day treatment is usually from Monday to Friday for about four hours a day, after which clients return home to eat and sleep. There is the option for clients to live in a sober home, a special living space for recovering addicts. Clinics will often help a client find such housing if it is deemed beneficial to their recovery.
Day programmes, like other programmes, include both individual and group therapy, counselling and psychotherapy. The goal of these is to provide clients with a level of control over their life, cravings and impulses. Day programmes are a great option for people who don’t want to invest too much time in an inpatient programme but who need more help than in an outpatient programme.
Intensive outpatient programmes
Intensive outpatient programmes are essentially the same as regular outpatient programmes, the difference being the number of meetings each week. An intensive outpatient programme will meet more often each week, making it the perfect programme for clients who have recovery as a high priority but can’t afford to interrupt their daily life.
It can also be the perfect option for people who don’t want residential care or don’t think it’s necessary. outpatient programmes are also generally less expensive than inpatient programmes. The lower price and scheduling make it an ideal option, for example, for people who need to go to work, students in college or high school or parents who need to look after their family.
Intensive outpatient programmes also provide routine. Even if people are still facing the same triggers, they have a different routine than they had previously. Clients can focus on their recovery while continuing their life. (14)
Ongoing care
Once the programme is completed, ongoing care (or continuing care) starts. The road to sobriety is a process, so it can help the client to stay in contact with their rehabilitation clinic. The ongoing care will help with the transition back into normal, daily life and provide all the necessary emotional and social support. It can also serve as a reminder of everything learned during therapeutic sessions and the value of sobriety.
People who choose not to return for ongoing care are more likely to relapse and fall back into old habits. People suffering from addiction must be knowledgeable about this fact and, hopefully, decide to continue care.
By gradually helping someone back into a normal life, these ongoing care options simply provide the best chance to live a sober life. It is the support and therapy that will help, more than anything. (15)
How Is Medication Used to Treat Addiction?
Valium can change the way your brain seeks pleasure and fulfilment. Through the use of some medications, a certain balance can be restored in the brain. This will lead to fewer cravings for the drug.
Medication against addiction is mostly used with opioid, alcohol and nicotine addictions, often by blocking receptors so that the drug cannot attach to them and release dopamine. This diminishes the effect of the drug to the point where it typically can’t be felt at all. As long as clients use these medications, they will not be able to feed their addiction by using drugs. (16)
Medications used in addiction treatment & rehab
For Valium, the main drugs used are anticonvulsants during withdrawals. These reduce the chance of having a seizure during this time. There aren’t many drugs used once the detoxification has concluded.
For other drugs, such as opioids, it is a different story. Some of the medications opioid users may receive are methadone and buprenorphine. These drugs attach to the same receptors as other opioids, relieving both cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Another drug is naltrexone, which should only be used when the client has already been detoxified. It completely blocks opioid receptor sites.
Naltrexone is also used for alcohol use disorder, working in the same fashion as with opioids. Other drugs used for alcohol withdrawals are acamprosate, reducing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, and disulfiram, which interferes with the breakdown of alcohol. These medications help ease the withdrawal phase. (17)
Here is a list of commonly used medications used against addiction:
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
- Buprenorphine (Buprenex)
- Methadone
- Disulfiram (Antabuse)
- Acamprosate (Campral)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Modafinil (Provigil)
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Bupropion (Buproban)
- Gabapentin (Fanatrex)
- Vigabatrin (Sabril)
- Baclofen (Kemstro)
- Topiramate (Topamax)
Psychotherapy for Valium Addiction Treatment
Psychotherapy is used to keep the client sober and prevent them from falling back into old habits while still living independently. Psychotherapy helps recognise the triggers to an addiction and how to deal with them.
A trigger is something that makes you crave a drug. It could be anything: a certain location, a smell, a person. It’s usually not possible to avoid all triggers, which is why it is important to learn how to deal with them. This is where psychotherapy comes into play. (18)
Coping-focused psychotherapy
Coping can be defined as using strategies to overcome stress and trauma and manage difficult emotions. These strategies can also be called coping mechanisms. The difference between a defence mechanism and a coping mechanism is that a defence mechanism is mostly unconscious. A coping mechanism is something someone can consciously and purposefully use when necessary.
There are different types of coping mechanisms, some of which help deal with a problem to reduce stress and some of which help deal with the stress itself. Sometimes it is best to be conscious of the problem and sometimes it is best to ignore or avoid it. Healthy coping mechanisms are referred to as adaptive coping mechanisms.
Psychotherapy will help steer the client towards beneficial coping methods and away from maladaptive coping methods, like self-harm and numbing. These may cause relief in the short term, but in the long term they will only be counterproductive. (19)
Social skills/interpersonal/growth psychotherapy
Drug addiction can stem from or cause social isolation amongst family and friends. It is important to learn how to resolve social problems, especially because social support is important for long-term sobriety. What is commonly known as interpersonal psychotherapy can teach people to address problems with relationships and deal with grief that can’t be resolved, such as the death of a friend or family member. Sessions can be individual or with a group.
Interpersonal psychotherapy focuses solely on thoughts and behaviours that are relevant to relationships. It also only looks at current relationships and not at past ones. This makes this type of therapy feel useful and progressive. The therapist should help the client find interpersonal issues.
Treatment usually takes 12 to 16 weeks and can include assessments, homework and interviews by the therapist. After this, additional sessions can often still be planned in. (20)
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Exploratory psychotherapy
It is common for people to not understand their feelings, which can result in frustration and reduced mental stability. Exploratory psychotherapy, derived from psychoanalysis, aims to help the client understand unconscious thoughts and feelings. This can help the client with depression, anxiety and self-esteem issues as a result of drug use (in this case Valium).
It is important for the client to understand their thoughts and emotions so that they can deal with them appropriately. Exploratory psychotherapy is typically a long program, it can take between six months and a year.
An important part of the treatment is called ‘free association’, which means saying whatever comes to mind. Sometimes, clients are also asked to share dreams. Then, the therapist will help the client to find meaning in what they have said. This will greatly help clients improve their self-awareness and mood regulation. (21)
Types of psychotherapy used in Valium addiction treatment
Valium addiction can lead to a plenitude of mental and interpersonal problems that can be helped through various forms of therapy. Which forms are used depend on the client and their specific situation.
However, in addition to these forms of therapy, there are additional therapeutic activities that often don’t involve a therapist at all. Many people find physical exercise or playing a musical instrument to be therapeutic. It is best for the client to try out as many types of therapy and activities as possible in order to find out what works best for them.
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. While some forms of therapy are more common than others, some clients may benefit more from alternative types.
Here is a list of types of therapy:
- ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy)
- Art therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Counselling
- Dialectical behaviour therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Family therapy
- Fitness therapy
- Group therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Individual therapy
- Meditation
- Music therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
The Recovery Process
The recovery process, while long and hard, is achievable to anybody who sets their mind to it. An important thing to remember is that relapsing does not mean all the client’s hard work was for nothing. In fact, it is often seen as a part of recovery. The important thing is how the client reacts to the relapse and how they get back on their feet again.
The client must know that once detoxified and rehabilitated, it is entirely in their hands to live a long life of sobriety. An often-used motto amongst ex-addicts is ‘One day at a time’. While this may sound like just a short-term motto, it has helped many people in the long term as well. (22)
Elements of recovery
Recovery is a complicated process that has multiple sides to it: the detoxification, rehabilitation, therapy and much more. It is important for the clients to be honest, both with themselves and the people around them, to be consistent and to believe in themselves. The client must always try to see the light at the end at the tunnel, because it is there.
Through therapy, the client can learn about themselves and their relationships, which can make them feel more valued and less drawn towards Valium. This can also improve their social support and help. All of these things, combined with adaptive coping mechanisms, give the client a great new chance at a sober life.
Once the client can find meaning in their sober life, he or she will no longer feel the need to take their drug. To quote Nietzsche, ‘He who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How.’
How Long Are Valium Rehab Programmes?
Rehab programmes can vary greatly in length, depending on the type of rehab and the situation of the individual. The first state of any rehab program is the detoxification, which for benzodiazepines like Valium takes about two to eight weeks. How long the rest of rehab takes depends on the type of program the client is taking part in and the level of addiction.
Outpatient programs, or other programs where the client is living in their own home, typically take longer than inpatient programs, averaging around 130 days. Intensive outpatient programs are slightly shorter, averaging 88 days. These programs can be longer because they have lower costs than inpatient programs.
Inpatient programs often have short-term or long-term alternatives, with short inpatient programs being around 27 days and long ones 90 days. Usually, there is the option to choose from a 30-day, 60-day or 90-day program.
Of course, the length of the program depends on each individual’s situation, and these numbers are only averages. Clients may decide they want to stay longer in order to get the most out of their therapy sessions and support system. Other people may decide to get back into their daily life as soon as possible. (23, 24)
What Does Valium Rehab Cost in the UK?
The cost of rehab depends greatly on the length of the stay and the quality and standards of the clinic. Some clinics choose to cut costs in order to be cheaper for clients, while some clinics like to maintain a high standard. Luckily, rehab has become more and more affordable the last number of years. In fact, there is even free treatment available in the UK.
If a person is referred by their GP, the NHS will provide free outpatient treatment in conjunction with local community service groups. In very rare cases, the NHS may pay for residential rehab. This will only happen in the rare case that the client can prove the free NHS services were not enough.
More often, clients will have to pay for residential rehab themselves, with costs starting around £1,000 per week, or £4,000 for a month. Luxury and executive rehabs cost upwards of £10,000 a week. These clinics will typically have a nicer location, specialist treatments and a feeling of luxury.
There is always treatment available no matter the client’s financial situation. The important thing is to seek it out as soon as possible to intervene with their Valium dependence.
Valium Addiction Recovery and Aftercare
The final stages of rehabilitation — recovery and aftercare — are arguably the most important ones. Here, the client will be tested with real life situations and will be able to see how they deal with them. It is a psychological struggle, but it can be overcome.
Once the rehabilitation period has ended, the client can take part in aftercare. This includes additional therapy sessions to make sure the person stays on track. People who take part in aftercare are much more likely to stay sober.
Recovery and community
Community is an important part of recovery, and the lack of it is often a reason for drug dependence. In rehab, the community aspect is provided by both residential housing and group therapy. Once rehab has been completed, it is important that the client maintains a social support network.
This is why interpersonal psychotherapy is important. It aims to (re)build existing relationships to help the client create a social support network or community. It is a pivotal part of recovery and must be approached as such. The aftercare can also provide this support in the form of group therapy.
Support groups
An additional way to get social support is through support groups. These are groups that have regular open meetings that can be attended where people can choose to talk about their feelings and struggles. Sometimes, people choose to do a literary reading on a certain topic.
There are many different support groups available throughout the UK. Most are non-profit societies for men and women for whom drugs have become a problem. Together, they help each other stay clean. It is usually not necessary to make an appointment; anyone can attend. People who are still addicted are also welcome. In fact, many people get the courage to quit through regular attendance.
People suffering from addiction can also take a friend or family member to support them during a meeting. After all, visiting one may seem daunting. There is no reason for stress, however, they are very laid-back. (26)
12-step
A common structure to meetings is the 12-step recovery programme. While the source material mentions God, people can apply their own interpretation of a higher power. (27)
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.
Ready to Start Rehab?
Most addicts will at some point decide enough is enough. Whether that is after a loved one’s ultimatum, a crossed moral limit or an intervention, the goal is the same: to get sober. After learning what detox and rehab are like, an informed decision can be made.
Take control of your life — get started on the road to recovery
Drug dependence can take a significant toll on someone’s life, but there is always a path to sobriety. While the next steps may be hard, they will be more than worth it.
Whether the person chooses inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, luxury rehab or a day program, they are all the same step to a life of sobriety. The therapies offered will help in every aspect of living for years after rehabilitation. It is never too late to start looking for help.
To get started, pick up the phone and give us a call. Our addiction experts are available 24/7 to answer your questions, completely confidentially. We hope to speak to you soon!
Sources
- (1) https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/drug-addiction-getting-help/
- (2) https://archives.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2012/04/well-known-mechanism-underlies-benzodiazepines-addictive-properties
- (3) https://www.addictioncenter.com/benzodiazepines/valium/
- (4) https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/counseling-and-addiction-how-therapy-can-help#1
- (5) https://www.uk-rehab.com/drug-alcohol-treatment-centres/free-rehab.html
- (6) https://luxury.rehabs.com/different-types-of-rehab/#is
- (7) https://www.rehabs.com/treatment/valium/
- (8) https://www.ukat.co.uk/admissions/
- (9) https://psychcentral.com/lib/substance-abuse-the-power-of-acceptance/
- (10)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/
- (12)https://www.upmc.com/services/rehab/rehab-institute/for-clients/faq
- (13)https://www.promisesbehaviouralhealth.com/addiction/outpatient-rehab-programs-work/
- (14)https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/addiction-treatment-programs/intensive-outpatient-program/
- (15)http://www.drug-rehabs.com/programs/continuing-care/
- (16)https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/how-can-prescription-drug-addiction-be-treated
- (17)https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction
- (18)https://www.drugrehab.org/psychotherapy-for-addiction-treatment/
- (19)https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/coping-mechanisms
- (20) https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/therapy-types/interpersonal-psychotherapy
- (21) https://www.columbiadoctors.org/treatment/exploratory-psychodynamic-psychotherapy
- (23) https://www.drugrehab.com/treatment/how-long-does-rehab-take/
- (24) https://www.addictioncenter.com/rehab-questions/how-long-does-treatment-take/
- (26) https://ukna.org
- (27) https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/12-step-programs/
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