Librium Detox and Withdrawal

Librium is the trade name of chlordiazepoxide, a compound commonly prescribed to patients who are recovering from alcohol addiction and struggling with withdrawal symptoms. Like alcohol, Librium can be addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms if the patient stops taking the medication. It is also possible to overdose on Librium by taking too much to counteract strong alcohol withdrawal. Librium detox centers are available to help people recovering from alcohol addiction do so without prescription drug use. Call to learn more about admission to a detox program for yourself or your loved one.

Symptoms of Librium Overdose

Librium is often prescribed to patients dealing with alcohol dependency to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. Overusing the drug to catch up on missed doses can be life-threatening, as can taking the drug with alcohol. Some symptoms of overdose include:

• Confusion
• Slow reflexes and reaction time
• Sleepiness
• Slow breathing
• Weakness
• Unconsciousness

If Librium is taken with other brain-altering medications, these effects can increase. Dial 911 or your local Poison Control Center immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing Librium overdose.

Librium Detoxing

People who are dependent on Librium and take more than the appropriate dose often decide to seek help from a Librium detox center. While in treatment, the patient will receive a reduced dosage or no dosage of the medication. It’s important to remove dependency on both Librium and alcohol; otherwise, the patient’s old habits may resurface. The patient is kept under close observation in case he or she has a negative reaction to Librium withdrawal. Several withdrawal symptoms are to be expected as a normal part of the process. As with any drug, withdrawal symptoms may be uncomfortable; however, they will pass and they can be managed by medical personnel.

“Withdrawal symptoms can include jaundice, hallucinations, dizziness, numbness, panic attacks, memory loss and seizures.”Withdrawal symptoms can include jaundice, hallucinations, dizziness, numbness, panic attacks, memory loss and seizures. The more abrupt the withdrawal, the more severe these symptoms may be. Therefore, Librium doses are gradually reduced during a stay at a Librium detox center. People who are especially prone to seizures should take extra caution and never change or reduce their dose of this medication without a recommendation from a doctor. Attempting to self-medicate can lead to severe complications.

Alcohol Detox

Alcohol detox will also be performed during a Librium detox; the two detox methods go hand in hand because of Librium’s primary use as a relief for alcohol withdrawal. A 1993 study also reported that up to 50 percent of alcohol users also abused Librium and similar benzodiazepines. Alcohol detox and rehab treatment consists of complete abstinence from alcohol; however, the alcohol detox process can be dangerous if undergone alone. It’s imperative that withdrawal symptoms are managed in an alcohol detox facility. Another facet of alcohol detox programs is to address the underlying causes of alcohol abuse. Cognitive behavioral therapy sessions and group therapy provide many benefits to patients in treatment.

Types of Librium Detox Programs

Librium detox centers are typically inpatient facilities because of the close observation doctors must maintain on patients undergoing withdrawal. After the initial stage of detox is complete, outpatient help may be possible. However, it’s more likely that treatment will be contained inside the facility over a period of weeks or months. It takes time and collaborative effort to overcome both Librium dependency and alcohol dependency.

Outside Support

Aside from doctor-patient correspondence, it’s important that patients staying in a Librium detox center have an outside support network. Family and friends who provide moral support are an invaluable resource; in fact, some therapy sessions may call for family members to attend if the issues that caused substance abuse stem from relationship conflicts. Learning to resolve these conflicts and deal with stress in a healthy way is a vital part of treatment. In addition, regular visits can cheer despondent people up. It is important for patients to feel they are cared for. Someone placed in a treatment center with no family contact can feel abandoned, which can slow recovery. Learn what you and your family can do for someone with Librium dependency by calling for more information.

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