Valium, also known as diazepam, Apaurin, and faustan, is a drug that is intended to cure anxiety, epilepsy or convulsion, and alcohol withdrawals. Classified under benzodiazepine, it has a molecular weight of 284.75. This drug in its purest form is a light yellow crystalline substance that cannot be dissolved by water. The active ingredient for this medication is diazepam while its inactive components include calcium stearate, lactose, corn starch, and pregelatinized starch.
This drug can only be accessed when given a prescription from a licensed medical personnel. It works on the GABA receptor site of the brain which is located in the limbic system and hypothalamus. When bound, it is able to stimulate the secretion of the GABA neurotransmitter which then opens the chloride channels and saturates neurons. This instance leads to muscle relaxation and makes brain activity slower. Because of this action, it helps with the treatment of seizures, anxiety and alcohol withdrawals. It can also be used as a short-acting anesthetic and to prevent nausea and vomiting. The specific function of this drug is to give relief to skeletal spasm, cerebral palsy, athetosis and stiff-man syndrome.
This medicine is available in tablet form in the market with different levels of strength depending on the dosage. 2mg is white in color, round and has an imprint of 2 Valium, ROCHE ROCHE. 5 mg is yellow in color and round in shape with an imprint of 5 Valium, ROCHE ROCHE. Lastly, 10 mg that is blue in color, round and has an imprint of 10 Valium, ROCHE ROCHE.
Aside from medical use, it is also commonly misused as it can be mixed and combined with illicit psychoactive substances and alcohol that is used in the streets and called as Moggies, Vallies, Jellies, Eggs, Blues, and yellows depending on what it is mixed with. Although Valium is classified by the DEA under Schedule IV controlled substance wherein it has a lower tendency to be abused compared to Schedule 111 substance, it shows a high potential for tolerance and chemical interactions when mixed with alcohol and other stimulants.
When taken twice a day with a dose of 2.5 mg it poses as a potential for high tolerance and independence. This drug has a long-acting effect on the user. With a long half-life divided into two stages: the initial distribution phase lasts up to 48 hours and the terminal elimination half-life of its active metabolite is around 100 hours. If a drug test is done it may stay in the blood for 6 to 48 hours, in urine about 1 to 6 weeks, 1 to 10 days in saliva, and up to 90 days in a hair test.
Its Effect on the Body
It induces a euphoric effect when it is combined with alcohol and other stimulants which is why it overshadows the medical benefits. It gives the users a relaxing feeling as it loosens the muscle and the nerves. It reduces the brain activity as some of its mild symptoms and short-term effects are drowsiness, confusion, and fatigue while in severe long term cases it induces slurred speech, depression, low muscle tone, low blood pressure, short breaths, and coma. When abused Valium is dangerous because the excessive dosage of this drug can severely damage the brain that leads to degraded motor skills, psychiatric problems, respiratory failure, coma and eventually death. Tolerance and abuse with alcohol and stimulants are the main factors for Valium overdose.
Addiction, Overdose, and Treatment
The signs and symptoms of an overdose are having low blood pressure, muscle spasms, difficulty in breathing and lack of body coordination. If such occurrences happen wherein Valium overdose is seen in a patient or an individual, possible treatments may be available but depending on some factors. These factors are overdose severity, present health condition of the patient and the duration of the overdose. First aid treatments that may be applied to alleviate the overdose if the unconscious is to induce vomiting within one hour. In cases of low blood pressure, administer fluids and monitor vital signs. Make sure the patient is breathing enough air. Let the patient ingest activated charcoal to absorb some of the substance in the body. Give the patient flumazenil and romazicon to counteract the effect of valium.
In a span of 1 to 2 weeks of not using the medication, withdrawal symptoms may manifest and can be undergone by the patient or individual. Withdrawal symptoms may include tremors, stomach cramps, muscle spasm, severe anxiety, restlessness, confusion, irritability, apathy, and hypersensitivity to light and noise. To attain complete recovery, like all drug withdrawing stages, a gradual step by step treatment must be done.
It is best to consult medical personnel or clinician first for comprehensive guidance in order to properly recover from drug dependence. A professional is needed in cases of withdrawal in order for a smooth sailing journey towards the ceasing of the drug intake and dependence. The licensed personnel may also prescribe drugs that counteract with Valium. There are drugs to treat the addiction such as the substance Flumazenil which counteracts the effects of the drug.
Activated charcoal absorbs some amount of the drug inside the body. Tofranil(imipramine) used to care for depression and Tegretol (Carbamazepine) calms the brain and reduces anxiety. It may be difficult for the patient to stop the addiction so a reward system may be done, it is a contingency management plan that sets rewards if the patient would avoid using the substance.
A Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be used, it is a treatment process seeking to determine the variables causing the drug abuse that comes up with ways to enhance coping mechanism dependent on the patient’s state. A support recovery group would also be a good method to help the patient to open up and to share experiences with other victims that help in their self-esteem and so that they feel that they belong and not the only one who has suffered.
Valium is a great drug when used for medical reasons but it can also be bad and dangerous if intake is too much and is abused. Same for everything in the world, moderation is always the key.
