Dangers of Mixing Valium and Alcohol or Drugs

What Is Valium & What Makes Drinking on Valium Dangerous?

Valium, otherwise known as diazepam, represents a type of addictive benzodiazepine that medical professionals prescribe for treating various forms of anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. Also, valium is effective as pre-procedural sedation and it can also be suitable for treating withdrawal symptoms of alcohol addiction. Valium serves the purpose of increasing HABA activity and serving as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which helps reduce brain overactivity and calm the nervous system of the patient. 1, 2

The duration of valium use should be short-term. Long-term use can bring about an addictive state that quickly progresses if a patient uses Valium in any way other than the one prescribed by their physician. Physical dependence alongside tolerance also develops over longer periods of uninterrupted use, causing the individual to begin using larger amounts of Valium and bringing difficult withdrawal symptoms in case you stop using it.1

What Are the Side Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Valium?

Besides taking larger-than-recommended doses of Valium contrary to the prescription of your medical professional, individuals also tend to combine the use of this drug with alcohol. Mixing the two can cause very dangerous and even life-threatening consequences and side effects, such as:2, 3

• Hostility and aggression.
• Slurred speech.
• Blurred vision.
• Nausea.
• Accidents.
• Dizziness.
• Stumbling.
• Sedation.
• Confusion.
• Drowsiness.
• Coma.
• Death.

Even with all the above mentioned side effects of combining alcohol with Valium, roughly 20% of individuals struggling with alcohol addiction also abuse benzodiazepines.3

How Does Overdose Happen on Alcohol and Valium?

When using solely Valium, it has a very low threshold for overdose, meaning that an individual would have to intake an extremely high number of pills to overdose on Valium. In fact, even if you were to take 1,000 times more than the dose recommended by your doctor, which is generally around 2,000 mg, it would not be lethal for an adult.4

However, even though taking high doses of Valium won’t result in a fatal outcome, continuing such a practice regularly can produce a number of unwanted side effects. What’s more, drinking while taking Valium has the potential to amplify the side effects of both diazepam and alcohol. Finally, taking a lethal dose of alcohol and valium has the capacity to result in CNS depression and eventual overdose.5. 6

In fact, there is an MMWR report indicating that over 27% of all visits to the emergency department  which stem from benzodiazepine abuse involve alcohol. Moreover, 26% of all individuals who suffered a lethal outcome due to the misuse of benzodiazepines were also abusing alcohol at the same time.5

What Are the Symptoms of a Valium Overdose?

Overdosing on Valium has the potential to cause a wide range of serious effects, such as:3

• Shallow and short breathing with respiratory depression.
• Consciousness loss.
• Memory loss.
• Slowed heartbeat.
• Confusion and disorientation.
• Excessive drowsiness.
• Death.

What Are the Mental Health Symptoms of Abusing Valium?

Valium abuse and addiction can create different mental health problems and co-occurring disorders for an individual, including:3

• Sleeping issues.
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Agitation.
• Cognitive impairments.
• Confusion.
• Impaired judgment.
• Paranoia.
• Sudden mood changes.
• Hallucinations.

What’s more, long-term Valium addiction can also lead to the development of other severe side effects that require a thorough professional assessment and assistance, such as:3

• Worsening depression and other mental illnesses.
• Serious memory problems.
• Extreme sleeping difficulties without the drug.

Is It Possible to Quit Valium and Alcohol Cold Turkey?

Abruptly stopping the use of alcohol with Valium can result in a series of very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that have the potential to become life threatening. Stopping the use of both these substances completely cold turkey can lead to a whole range of side effects on both your brain and your body, including seizures, coma, and eventually death. Being physically dependent on alcohol and Valium also increases the risk of experiencing more severe withdrawal symptoms.7

This is why it isn’t advisable to stop abusing Valium and alcohol cold turkey, especially if you’ve been abusing these substances for an extended period of time and/or if you’ve developed tolerance or dependence. A safe method to quit alcohol and valium requires comprehensive medical detox, as well as professional medical supervision, management, and medication prescriptions. These procedures will help your body and brain recalibrate and serve to keep them working properly even without the substances you’ve been using.7

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Valium and Alcohol?

Valium and alcohol withdrawal can result in a wide array of symptoms, including:7

• Delirium.
• Delusions.
• Grand mal seizures.
• Visual hallucinations and disturbances.
• Agitation.
• Confusion.
• Panic attacks and anxiety.
• Muse tremors, aches, and pains.
• Dizziness and light-headedness.
• Sweating.
• Heart palpitations.
• Headaches.
• Insomnia.

How Is Valium and Alcohol Addiction Treated?

There are several solutions available for treating your alcohol and Valium addiction, such as:8

• Medical detoxification: The process of medical detox is essential for treating both alcohol and Valium addiction, as well as their combination. Detox helps with eliminating the harmful toxins present in the body and alleviates potentially harmful effects of withdrawal.8
• Inpatient rehab: Inpatient treatment facilities are one of the best ways to recover from your Valium and alcohol addiction. These facilities offer a nurturing and safe environment that eliminates any real-world difficulties and distractions, fostering the avoidance of the majority of existing addiction triggers.8
• Outpatient rehab: Typically, outpatient treatment programs for alcohol and Valium addiction combine counseling with behavioral therapy to help you deal with your substance abuse problem more easily and represent a more affordable solution. They don’t require you to stay at the facility but rather come in for scheduled sessions.8
• Sober living facility: Finally, you have the option of choosing a sober treatment facility designed to provide a supporting atmosphere and safe housing to individuals struggling with alcohol or Valium addiction while also promoting drug-free living devoid of any potential triggers.8

Find Adequate Treatment for Valium and Alcohol Addiction

If your loved one or you are in need of alcohol and Valium treatment, reach out to American Addiction Centers (AAC). They offer a wide range of suitable treatment options through a network of professional nationwide treatment facilities for substance abuse, including a selection of luxury rehab facilities. Their goal is providing a compassion-based and research-supported treatment to all individuals in need in order to maximize their chances of a successful recovery.

You can use the form present below to enter the required personal information and immediately inspect the amount of insurance coverage you have and be there to verify your insurance with your provider. What’s more, you can contact their 24/7 alcohol addiction hotline and speak with an experienced and caring admissions navigator who will help you with checking your existing benefits over the phone and assist you in finding a way to finance your rehab. 

What’s more, they ensure confidentiality and privacy during every interaction and can locate a facility that offers same-day admittance into rehab, whether you’re looking for a treatment solution for you alone or a treatment center designed specifically for couples. All you have to do is contact their alcohol addiction hotline and ensure you’re entering the most suitable alcohol rehab facility for your requirements. 

Frequently Asked Questions