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[honeybun]

"(the doctor) put me on valium and told me I would not get addicted if I only took it a couple of times a week. WRONG! I did get addicted, I stopped taking them thinking I would be ok, as I had stuck to docs instructions and I got terrible withdrawals.
I tried to get her to read Dr Heather Ashton's taper protocol, and she was having none." 

Could I ask about the valium taper. I have been given valium for my anxiety by my GP to be used if I really need it. I use maybe a couple a month and sometimes not even that. How many were you taking in a week to get addicted. Valium use has always worried me. Basically I am scared of it and becoming too reliant.

If you don't want to talk about this then that's fine.


Honeyb
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[Sarah2]

HB- maybe this is not the right place to answer your query on Valium but here goes....

my mother in law was put on valium when her husband died and it was supposed to be for a week only. Due to drs' error she was able to get repeat prescriptions and did become addicted. she never stopped taking it for almost 20 years.

Recently a friend of a friend was given valium for severe anxiety and told it was highly addictive, so she was given 4 days' supply only and has been put on some other ADs now for a few months.

I don't know the dosage but it appears it is only to be used very short term and with caution.

[Suzyq]

To be honest, that is exaggerating the addictive qualities of diazepam type drugs! To become physically addicted you would have to be taking every day for a number of weeks. As my gp and specialist explained, occasional use I.e. For a couple of days per week, even if that was the case every week, is very very unlikely to cause any issues. I have lorazepam which is very short-acting and take half a tablet every 2-4 weeks but have been prescribed to take as often as I need. My gp was even willing to prescribe low-dose clonazepam to be taken every day, on a long term basis (for anxiety) which I declined, but she is of the opinion that the risk of addiction is very low. These drugs are not to be taken lightly, but are not as dangerous as some would have you believe - in fact many ad's also require tapering to stop and give terrible symptoms! As with hrt, they have been given a very bad press, but have their place, in moderation

[Dandelion]

Could I ask about the valium taper. I have been given valium for my anxiety by my GP to be used if I really need it. I use maybe a couple a month and sometimes not even that. How many were you taking in a week to get addicted. Valium use has always worried me. Basically I am scared of it and becoming too reliant.

If you don't want to talk about this then that's fine.


Honeyb
x

Hi honeybun

Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.
Diazepam or valium stays in the system for three weeks.
I would only take it once every three weeks.
My doctor was not aware of this, most doctors arent.
You can take it for a few days, but to be safe, leave a three week gap.
Here is an organisation that really helped me get started on my taper and educating me.
www.bataid.org
Hope that helps.

[Dandelion]

To be honest, that is exaggerating the addictive qualities of diazepam type drugs! To become physically addicted you would have to be taking every day for a number of weeks. As my gp and specialist explained, occasional use I.e. For a couple of days per week, even if that was the case every week, is very very unlikely to cause any issues. I have lorazepam which is very short-acting and take half a tablet every 2-4 weeks but have been prescribed to take as often as I need. My gp was even willing to prescribe low-dose clonazepam to be taken every day, on a long term basis (for anxiety) which I declined, but she is of the opinion that the risk of addiction is very low. These drugs are not to be taken lightly, but are not as dangerous as some would have you believe - in fact many ad's also require tapering to stop and give terrible symptoms! As with hrt, they have been given a very bad press, but have their place, in moderation

Hi Suzy, not true I am afraid.
I only used valium two or three times a week, and I got hooked.
I'd had loads of week breaks and fortnight breaks, and it was only when I went 17 days without, did the symptoms hit.
Also, drugs like zopiclone and zolpidem are cross tolerant.
Lorazepam is shorter acting, so it doesnt hang around in your system like valium.
My doc would have been better off giving me lorazepam.

[Suzyq]

I don't doubt your experience but as a rule, although one may become dependant upon Valium to relieve symptoms, addiction as such, using as you have described is very rare.  I hope you continue to do well!!

[honeybun]

Thanks for your answers re the valium. I have never had any problems taking it at the amount I do and to be honest don't anticipate any.
I did not realise that you could become addicted without taking it on a regular daily basis but I guess it's just another example of how different we are.

Sorry for changing the subject, maybe a new topic calls.


Honeyb
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[Rowan]

HB I don't agree that you can be addicted taking it once in a while this is the definition of "Addiction"

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/addiction

Half a tablet when you feel you need does not count as addiction, just the fact that you have them in your drawer if you need them can be enough to get you through.

I have valium prescribed in 2008 by my doctor (who by the way told me that taken them when really needed would not do harm and that half the nation needed them at sometime just to get up and get out the door) I wasn't turned into an addict, my GP would certainly not keep prescribing me them, a good doctor is trained to recognise these things.

I have had a packet of zopiclone  too that I have had for over a year, I slice a little of a tablet now and then, I certainly don't think I  am addicted to them.

HB go and talk to your doctor and talk to him about your worried but for goodness sake stop worrying about addiction.

[Dandelion]

The only reason why it is so easy to form a physical dependency on valium is because it has an enormously long half life and stays in the system much longer, than, say, lorazepam.
I wouldn't risk taking it every few days.
Maybe once every three weeks it will work, but best to get other less addicting drugs if you need to take it more regularly.

[Rowan]

Diazepam  takes 1 to 3 days to clear from blood saliva

A single dose 10 dose takes 24 hours.

[honeybun]

I really am not worried that I am addicted SL. I don't feel any great need to take them but if something really challenging is approaching it makes me feel better if I know I have the option.
I do take the occasional one if I feel in need of extra help. My GP seems to be quite happy with this.
I don't get any withdrawal symptoms. At least I don't think I do because I am not sure how this manifests itself.
I do get a rotten headache about four hours after I take one that goes as quickly as it comes but that's it.

They are a life saver for me. Just sitting in my drawer.


Honeyb
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[Rowan]

Great ( not the headache) HB, forgot to say too that some people metabolize drugs more quickly then others. Drink plenty of water the next day.

[CLKD]

  The GPs are very cautious because we are more aware that *some* people can become addicted to various drug therapies.  If someone is waking through the night thinking "I must take a Valium tablet?" is the need physical?  Psychological addiction and physical addiction are different 

With physical addiction the body itself craves the drug.  When the drug begins to leave the body, physical addiction causes shakes, vomiting, stomach cramps and the constant 'need' with the brain saying "I must take another to avoid these feelings". 

I took 10mg on an as necessary basis for years.  Usually the evening before an event that I HAD to go to, even visiting family ………. and I would take 5mg that morning if required.  Once the day was over I never felt the need, emotionally or physically to take an 'extra' dose.  I knew it worked.  I knew it worked when required.  Twice, after several years of using the drug I took 10mg and felt really woozy/weird so never took it again. I have the pot from 1999 

My GP has given me another drug, name escapes me, to take in an emergency.  For me the panic won't go once it sets in, around the gut/belly button region.  So the medication calms those physical feelings so that I can begin to eat.

Interesting that Valium stays in the blood *that* long ……….. I was never aware of an after-effect that made me aware of it still working ………… there are people with an 'addictive personality' who are more likely to become hooked.  At one point I was so desperate to be rid of anxiety that I would have taken heroin had it been of use!

[Rowan]

Must admit when my GP prescribed in  them in 2008 he said it was the lowest dose and I could cut them in half, I only took one and that was half, then I panicked and thought of getting addicted. In hind sight now I wish I had used them when I needed them, I could have saved myself lot fear and anxiety and trips the A&E ,it may have shortened the time it took to get over my panic attacks.

I did do it my way without the valium but I think I was foolish not to take one as as needed. The pack in my drawer must be way out of date and keep thinking I must take them to the pharmacist to dispose of them but I haven't yet.

[honeybun]

Mine are 2mg so are the lowest dose available. A few years ago hubby had a trapped nerve in his neck and was in agony. The GP prescribed diazepam to be used at night to help him relax enough to get some sleep. He took them every night for about three weeks and then just stopped. I can't remember what strength he was on but much stronger than mine.
He was fine and has never taken them again.

I still don't understand how you have to go through a tapering off process if you were only taking a couple a week.   But as I have said before we are all very different.


Honeyb
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