Librium Detox: What You Need to Know

Librium is an anti-anxiety medication that millions of people are currently taking. Unfortunately, it is not the miracle drug that some think. As a prescription when used correctly, it is an excellent medication for controlling any number of anxiety disorders.  When it is improperly used it is a highly addictive medication that can be dangerous. Benzodiazepines such as Librium were responsible for over 9,000 overdose fatalities in 2015. If you’re dependent on this drug, it may be time to seek Librium detox.

Librium and the Brain

The brain is an extremely complex organ. Librium and opioids have one thing in common, dopamine. Opioids cause the release of dopamine in the brain while Librium acts on the neurotransmitter that stops the release of dopamine. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this neurotransmitter is called GABA. GABA is what restricts dopamine production.

Instead of flooding the body with dopamine, Librium restricts the neurotransmitter that stops the dopamine production so the neurons just continue to release dopamine. When you detox from Librium, the brain has to do without this restrictive mechanism. This causes the unpleasant detox symptoms.

Librium Detox Symptoms

Like most addictive drugs, Librium has a detox period. This is usually accompanied by detox symptoms. According to New South Wales Health Services, the symptoms of Librium detox are:

Paranoia and anxiety are common Librium detox symptoms.

• Sleep disturbance
• Restlessness
• Nervousness
• Heightened senses such as things seeming louder or brighter than they are normally
• Confusion
• Depression
• Paranoia
• Anxiety

These symptoms can range from moderate to very severe. The most common problem that happens when someone withdrawals from Librium is called rebound. Rebound happens when your anxiety from the original disorder comes back. It can come back significantly worse than before. Sometimes some symptoms can trigger a dangerous reaction.

Dangers of Detoxing from Librium

Like alcohol detox, Librium detox can be devastating and deadly. The neurotransmitters that it works on can also cause a number of other issues. Stopping Librium suddenly in a nonmedical setting can cause your body to overcompensate for the loss of the Librium. This causes:

• Seizures
• Rage
• Hyperalertness
• Delusions
• Psychosis
• Hallucinations

Although it might not seem like it, these symptoms can be deadly. If not treated properly all of these symptoms can cause high risk behaviors and wind up getting you killed.

Treatment for Librium Detox

Fortunately, there are treatments for Librium detox. These treatments reduce the risk of dangerous side effects.

• Tapering – removing the Librium a little at a time allowing your body to adjust
• Medically monitored detox – monitoring in a hospital to correct or compensate for any adverse effects
• Replacement medications – a treatment center can replace the Librium with another anti-anxiety medication that stops the withdrawal and treats the anxiety

All of these treatments when combined with behavioral counseling, group therapy, and supportive services allow you to detox from Librium safely.

Finding a Librium Detox and Treatment Center

Finding the right treatment center for you is extremely important. You cannot detox from Librium alone especially if you are a long term or high dose user. To find the treatment center that is right for you, call 800-996-6135(Who Answers?) .

Sources

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Overdose Death Rates.
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012). Well-Known Mechanism Underlies Benzodiazepines’ Addictive Properties.
3. New South Wales Department of Health. (2003). Benzodiazepines.