Valium is widely used as a device in television and movie drama for GIs and doctors and bored, upscale Californians to get addicted to. Perhaps this Hollywood clich? is what has made the general public think of valium addiction as something light and breezy, as if it were more a gentle summer hike than a real drug addiction. Even though recognition of the addictive qualities of Valium have been slow to catch on in the mass population, progress is being made as education becomes more effective.

Valium is a brand name for diazepam, a drug commonly used in medical treatment as a muscle relaxant, an anticonvulsant, and sedative, and falls under the larger grouping of benzodiazepines (which includes such drugs as Xanax and Centrax). It?s important to note that these drugs do have valid medical uses, even though use can sometimes lead to addiction.

Because Valium is lipid soluble, meaning it can be absorbed and stored in the fatty tissues of the body, it can be stay in the body there for surprisingly long amounts of time. In diazepam, that time can range from 20-200 hours depending on the dose and the individual taking the drug. That means even normal daily dosing can lead to a build up of diazepam, and what seems like moderate dosing, can quickly saturate a system, leading to an increased risk of addiction and possible negative side effects.

Possible long-term side effects of diazepam include increased anti-social and socially destructive behaviors, and even effects as severe an increased risk of fatal overdoses due to adverse reactions when combined with other substances, and chronic depression and schizophrenia.

Rehabilitation is a difficult and slow process, which favors weaning the addicted rather than quitting cold turkey, as such an abrupt discontinuation of the drug in the system can lead to adverse withdrawal symptoms.

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