Diazepam Withdrawal Symptoms

The first step in treating a diazepam addiction involves removing this drug from an addict’s body. Also known as detoxification, it can be hazardous and may trigger multiple side effects if not performed correctly. Quitting this medication cold turkey can even prove fatal in some circumstances. Hence, it is essential to perform detox in a dedicated facility under the supervision of an expert to monitor and manage potentially fatal symptoms like suicidal behaviour and seizures.

The thought of undergoing detox in a clinical setting can intimidate many people. There is also a common misconception that individuals who go to a hab for their addiction are simply given a few replacement drugs and sent home. However, this is far from reality as most of the addicts that seek help from rehab require admission, where they spend at least ten days ridding their bodies of diazepam. The process usually involves using a different kind of benzodiazepine at doses high enough to control withdrawal but low enough not to cause euphoria.

As a part of the detox process, an addiction expert provides the addicts with a schedule for slowly coming off diazepam instead of suddenly quitting it. This process is known as tapering down, which means slowly reducing the dose or potency of the benzo drug you are using. The rate at which tapering happens depends on the severity and duration of addiction. However, for most people, experts recommend reducing their current dose by 50 per cent during the first two to four weeks of usage. Maintaining this dose for at least a month is recommended before reducing it by 25 per cent every week unless an individual gradually stops taking it.

Diazepam withdrawal is generally divided into the following stages:

Early withdrawal stage

While diazepam withdrawal affects people differently, most start experiencing uncomfortable symptoms within 24-72 hours from the last dose. Heavy users may develop these symptoms a little later due to the long-lasting effects of diazepam on their bodies. The early signs of withdrawal include restlessness and anxiety that constantly swing between mild and intense and can be highly distressing.

Acute withdrawal stage

The diazepam withdrawal symptoms generally peak during the second week from the last dose. The psychological and physical symptoms during this stage include sweating, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and muscle spasms. The acute withdrawal stage is critical as the amplified symptoms tempt addicts to end the discomfort by taking a dose of diazepam. Detoxing in a medical facility greatly reduces this temptation by providing sufficient distractions and managing uncomfortable symptoms through medications.

Late withdrawal stage

For most people, the acute stage lasts up to a month, with symptoms becoming milder to non-existent in severity around the fourth week. However, a small number of addicts, especially those who detox on their own, may continue to experience the lingering side effects for months. This constitutes a late withdrawal stage that can make lives uncomfortable unless medical help is sought.

For some people, detox is all they need to overcome the addiction. However, most of them require a follow-up in an inpatient or outpatient rehab, where they learn how to reduce their risk of acquiring the addiction.