Dangers of Valium Drug Abuse
Valium (or its street name V) is one of the most commonly abused benzodiazepine drugs. When this medication is taken in higher doses than commonly prescribed, it can cause euphoria, drowsiness, and a relief of anxiety. However, there are many dangers associated with the drug, and all women should be aware of the consequences of Valium abuse.
Short-term Effects
Valium can cause short term effects like appetite change and drowsiness.
The short-term effects of Valium can be dangerous, especially for someone who is not taking it via a doctor’s prescription. The NLM advises, when taking Valium, “do not take a larger dose, take it more often or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to.” Unfortunately, many women do so, hoping to experience the euphoria caused by the drug. Valium’s side effects can only become more dangerous when it is used in this way. Common side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Appetite changes
- Blurred vision
- Changes in sex drive
According to CESAR, when benzodiazepines are taken in high doses, they can cause “hostile and erratic behavior” and mood swings. In addition, the drowsiness and impaired thinking caused by the drug results in “slowed reflexes” which can increase the risk of the user of endangering herself or others, especially if she is driving or operating machinery.
In some rare cases, certain women who abuse Valium actually experience seizures which can be extremely harmful, especially if the individual is alone when this occurs. Because the drug is sometimes used to control seizures in those who experience them consistently, tampering with its effects may cause a seizure to occur.
Valium Overdose
Overdose from Valium is also likely to occur as a result of regular abuse. Double vision, tremors, nystagmus (or rapid movement of the eyes), and coma are all signs of a Valium overdose. According to the NLM, it is likely that a person will recover from this condition if treated right away. However, “complications such as pneumonia, muscle damage from lying on a hard surface for a long period of time, or brain damage from lack of oxygen may result in permanent disability.”
Addiction
Those who regularly abuse Valium are likely to become addicted. The drug is extremely potent, and its euphoric effects can cause compulsive, drug-seeking behavior. Once you become addicted to Valium, it can be incredibly hard to stop abusing the drug.
Many women who take Valium recreationally in the long term experience tolerance to the drug’s effects which cause them to abuse higher and higher doses, making overdose more likely. Also suddenly stopping continuous abuse of Valium can often lead to withdrawal. The symptoms of the drug’s withdrawal syndrome can be extremely dangerous and, according to the NHTSA, they include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
- Hyperthermia
- Sweating
- Panic attacks
- Paranoid psychosis
- Tachycardia
- Increased blood pressure
- Seizures
Becoming addicted to Valium will often require inpatient detox (in the event of severe withdrawal) followed by rehab treatment.
Valium can feel good at first, but over time, abusing it will become less and less voluntary. Withdrawal from the medication can be life-threatening, and many of the side effects experienced by regular abusers are physically and psychologically harmful.
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