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Addiction support

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Original poster

Does anyone have personal experience using Diazepam

20 replies

Wilff · 13/08/2023 02:31

I've been prescribed 2mg x3 a day for a week.
Can I take 2 to start with
And is there anything like drugs or alcohol that have a bad reaction

OP posts:

CrunchyCarrot · 13/08/2023 02:36

You should have a leaflet in with the tablets that will show any conflicting medications or contra-indications.

I have taken and still occasionally do take Diazepam, I was prescribed it for back spasms. I would say from my own experience (and of course it depends what you are being prescribed them for) to be planning to stop them as soon as you can. This is because, as I hope you've had explained to you, that Diazepam quickly can cause you to become dependent.

I'm not a doctor so please do check with one or a pharmacist if you have any queries.

Original poster

Wilff · 13/08/2023 02:40

I'll take time to read the leaflet in the morning. Good advice
But can I ask...in what way do people become dependent on them ?
They don't seem to be very strong, not like Zopiclone sleeping tablets for example..

OP posts:

Devilsmommy · 13/08/2023 02:41

Don't take with alcohol and like pp said don't take them longer than prescribed as they are habit forming

SpinachSpinachMoreSpinach · 13/08/2023 02:44

2mg is a low dose, but you would get used to it very quickly, particularly if you take it 3x a day - which is probably why it has only been prescribed for a week.

Why did the physician opt for diazepam? What's the plan after one week?

Original poster

Wilff · 13/08/2023 02:46

What is it that they do ,that makes them habit forming (Please forgive my ignorance on this) they seem so mild.

OP posts:

Original poster

Wilff · 13/08/2023 02:48

Prescribed for stress and anxiety
Just taken 2 x2mg about 10mins ago and not even sleepy

OP posts:

Devilsmommy · 13/08/2023 02:49

When you take bigger doses especially with alcohol they basically make you feel stoned. It's just a snowball from there then of wanting that high but needing bigger amounts to get it

SpinachSpinachMoreSpinach · 13/08/2023 02:50

It belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines, all of which are addictive to varying degrees.

We know it is very strongly habit forming from many, many years experience. It used to be very widely prescribed, a long time ago. These days doctors are generally VERY reluctant to prescribed it and if they do it is mostly for very short, acute periods only.

TheYadaYada · 13/08/2023 02:51

I was prescribed them after I injured my shoulder.

I was excited to take them as I hoped they’d make me stoned or sleepy. But nothing. No effect on me at all. I even tried one after a glass of wine. Still nothing.

CrunchyCarrot · 13/08/2023 02:55

When I was prescribed it for back spasms, I was given 5 mg tablets with instructions to use 5 mg x 3 daily. So I duly took a 5 mg tablet and honestly it nearly knocked me out. I had a nap and woke up, totally forgot my back was injured and I should be careful, and made things worse! So I realised I didn't need that high a dosage and next time took half a tablet. Over repeated episodes of spasms (by that I mean they were separated by some weeks) I realised that a quarter of a pill would be enough to settle my back, along with a heat pad. So I only ever take that 1.25 mg pill if I have a spasm. Maybe repeat that dose about 7 hrs later. That's usually all I will need.

Even that very low dosage makes me feel a bit disconnected and woolly headed, so it's not something I like doing, but sometimes it's necessary.

As others have said, benzos are habit-forming and you have to be really, really careful with them.

SpinachSpinachMoreSpinach · 13/08/2023 03:00

@CrunchyCarrot - have you considered Cyclobenzaprine instead? It's also a benzodiazepam drug but less addictive and particularly good for muscle pain.

Spudsanyway · 13/08/2023 03:15

If you've not had diazepam before 4mg is a big dose, ba careful, will take 30-40mins to fully kick in orally.

GingerTulip · 13/08/2023 03:32

As others have said, I would avoid taking them with alcohol. If they've been prescribed for stress and anxiety I would avoid alcohol anyway, as that may be a contributing factor to your mental state (I know this is easy to say and harder to deal with if you enjoy/rely on a drink).

Diazepam definitely affects people in different ways but it is also definitely habit-forming which is why they usually only prescribe short-term and low doses initially.

My brother has been on it for over a decade (also for stress and anxiety) and cannot function without it. At his worst, he was on 16mg a day, sometimes more. He is now down to 5mg, not daily just when he needs it. But he can't function if he doesn't have any near him, just in case. He had to work really hard to cut himself down to this level. He needs it far more when he drinks (he goes through phases of drinking and being sober).

I would also strongly recommend therapy of some kind to help you with coping strategies etc, as diazepam is not a sensible treatment long-term.

Please keep in touch with your doctor and ask for as much help as you need. Best of luck.

HappiDaze · 13/08/2023 03:40

I've used it a few times over the years for a week at a time and have never felt addicted to it

LightSpeeds · 13/08/2023 05:42

I take half of one tablet occasionally for anxiety. It takes about half an hour to kick in. On the odd occasion it doesn't work, I take the other half of the tablet.

This drug is quickly addictive which is why it is only prescribed for a week, maximum, so you need to find a longer-term solution for anxiety (some anti-depressants can help with this, e.g. fluoxetine).

People used to get lifetime addictions to Valium years ago as it was very difficult to get off it (which is why prescribing rules have changed dramatically).

Watchthedoormat · 13/08/2023 05:55

You've taken two together. That's not how it was prescribed OP from what you told us.

Celticdawn5 · 13/08/2023 05:56

I have taken 2mg diazepam for dental treatment. I get extremely panicky in certain situations.
I then used the rest of the tablets for other panicky situations, taking half a tablet here and there
great at the time but I found that I did have after effects which took time to get over . Hard to describe ,but has made me think twice about taking them unless I really need to.

GrumpyPanda · 13/08/2023 05:59

Assume OP's now happily knocked out with her double dose... Here's a little background on diazepam/Valium.

www.historyhit.com/mothers-little-helper-the-history-of-valium/

excellentsometimes · 13/08/2023 06:42

I was prescribed it for a week once when I was going through a very stressful situation. The small dose just 'took the edge off' how I was feeling, enough to let me sleep and think straight. I think my brain just needed to be able to switch off and diazepam helped with that. After a week I felt better able to cope but as others have said it's not a long term solution for anxiety, more like a short term 'reset' for people in crisis.

You should definitely only take them as prescribed (yes, even with small doses) and avoid alcohol.

CrunchyCarrot · 13/08/2023 17:25

SpinachSpinachMoreSpinach · 13/08/2023 03:00

@CrunchyCarrot - have you considered Cyclobenzaprine instead? It's also a benzodiazepam drug but less addictive and particularly good for muscle pain.

I have not heard of that one, Spinach, thanks! I will look into it. :)

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