Librium, the brand name for Chlordiazepoxide, is a class of benzodiazepines, similar to Xanax, Valium, and Ativan. Healthcare providers write these prescription drugs for patients suffering from insomnia, anxiety disorders, and acute alcohol withdrawal.
Due to benzos’ moderate addiction liability, Librium use can quickly develop into a substance use disorder that needs to be professionally addressed. Today, we’ll educate you on the side effects of Librium abuse, symptoms of withdrawal, and addiction treatment options for drug abuse.
Learn also how our staff of medical professionals at Long Island Treatment Center can help you or a loved one through the Librium recovery journey.
Table of Contents
Librium (Chlordiazepoxide): What Is It & Who Is It For?
Librium is a habit-forming, prescription drug that’s prescribed for those diagnosed with mental health disorders where there’s extreme hyperactivity in the brain. Those encompass anxiety and insomnia. Additionally, Librium is used to help those going through alcohol withdrawal—or any other drug.
The way Librium works is that it acts like a hypnotic sedative where it enhances the effects of one of our brain’s neurotransmitters, namely GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). That way, the drug is a central nervous system (CNS) suppressant.
Further, Librium is a Schedule IV controlled substance according to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). While it’s classified as a regulated drug, it’s only meant as a short-term medication as it has a long half-life. Librium can last in the system for 5-30 hours, depending on your bodily composition and overall health.
Because of the drug’s calming effects, Librium use can quickly lead to physical dependence and increase the risk of overdose.
What Are the Side Effects of Librium?
The effects of Librium go beyond the calmness its users feel. There are common side effects that come with using Librium and these include:
- Drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion
- Mood and balance disorders
- Abdominal and muscle cramps/spasms
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Blurred vision and slurred speech
- Slow heart rate
- Decrease in blood pressure
When taking Librium, it’s best to follow the medical advice given to you regarding its usage to avoid developing a use disorder.
What Are the Signs of Librium Addiction?
If you’re suspecting a loved one of a Librium addiction, make sure to watch out for the following symptoms of substance abuse:
- Intense abdominal pain (or irritable bowel syndrome IBS)
- Blue lips and extremities
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures and tremors
- Shallow or slow breathing
- REM (rapid eye movement) while awake
- Fainting
- Impaired motor coordination and reflexes
High doses of Librium can be life-threatening if the drug addiction isn’t addressed ASAP. If you or a loved one is battling intense cravings for Librium, seek professional help immediately.
What Does Librium Withdrawal Look Like?
Over a period of time, users of Librium develop a strong tolerance and physical dependence on the drug. They start taking higher doses of the drug than prescribed by their healthcare providers.
Drug use of this caliber can be dangerous and in a few rare cases, fatal. It’s important to recognize Librium withdrawal symptoms before they worsen. This way, you can intervene with the help of professional addiction specialists.
Here’s what Librium withdrawal can do to your physical and mental health:
- Increased levels of anxiety
- Severe panic attacks
- Depression
- Psychosis and paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Rebound insomnia
- Muscle spasms and tremors
- Heavy sweating
- Rapid heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Agitation and irritability
- Sensory and auditory hypersensitivity
- Vomiting and nausea
- Memory loss
Librium Addiction Treatment Options: Seeking Help
Librium addiction treatment programs are readily available to those struggling to get off the drug or are going through withdrawal without medical supervision. Specialists recommend that Librium abusers sign up for the necessary rehab programs to treat their drug addiction before it becomes dangerous.
In this section, you learn the different treatment plans you or a loved one will/might have to go through as part of your recovery journey. Keep in mind that addiction treatment specialists will decide what’s best for you based on how long you’ve been using and how frequently.
1. Medically Assisted Detox
Detox is always the first step when tackling a drug addiction. Your body takes a few days or longer to fully flush out the drug from your system.
It’s a harsh process that you shouldn’t attempt to do alone. Any specialist would tell you that quitting cold turkey or going through withdrawal without the help of healthcare providers can do more harm than good.
As such, under the care of a treatment center, a medical detox will help battle the Librium withdrawal process better. Doctors will prescribe benzodiazepine antagonists, like Flumazenil, and closely monitor the patient as well.
2. Inpatient or Residential Treatment
Inpatient treatment is typically recommended for people suffering from severe Librium addiction that has taken over their lives completely. In a residential treatment program, the patient is placed in a controlled environment where they can safely detox and recover from their drug addiction.
Additionally, inpatient programs allow patients a judgment-free zone away from possible triggers in their work or family life. There are no stressors that could prompt Librium use—and even when a patient is craving, there are counselors and therapists they can immediately talk to about it.
3. Outpatient Programs
Outpatient programs are as effective as inpatient ones, just not as intensive. Usually, outpatient treatment plans include attending a number of mandatory sessions per week whenever the patient has time. So the sessions could be during the daytime or in the evening.
Also, outpatient care typically comes after inpatient residency. Specialists decide when the patient is ready to go back to their day-to-day life. With their continuous help, addiction therapists will ease their patients into regaining a sense of normalcy away from substance use.
4. Individual Therapy
How well your behavioral health is determines how you handle triggers and personal crises that prompted your Librium addiction. As a treatment option, therapy can help patients develop the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with their addiction triggers the right way.
Individual therapy can include a multitude of approved and specialized therapies. Those are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): With CBT, patients learn the thought processes behind what triggers their need for Librium use. They develop strategies to handle stressors in a healthier way.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Much like CBT, DBT works on teaching patients how to handle intense emotions better. The approach also teaches self-awareness and reflection as well as stress tolerance.
- Dual Diagnosis Therapy: Statistically speaking, many people suffering from drug addiction suffer from underlying mental illnesses too. With dual diagnosis, the therapist can work on both disorders simultaneously.
5. Group Therapy
Next to individual therapy sessions, group therapy can tremendously help patients see that they’re not alone in their journey. They may relate to the struggles others are going through or learn how they overcame their cravings and take from that.
In group therapy, you also get the support and sense of community you might not get from the outside world. Sitting with people who understand why you turned to drug addiction can demystify its allure and make it easier to battle.
How the Long Island Treatment Center Can Help You
It’s never too late to seek out the help you need to get back on the wagon. The first step to dealing with your Librium addiction is as simple as giving us a call at our confidential hotline [(516) – 788-5594].
You can also contact us through this form page and fill out details of your insurance and any other concerns you may have. Our team will make sure you’re well-informed before you make any decisions. We’ll schedule a tour, answer your questions, and support you every step of the way.