Librium is a Benzodiazepine that is frequently taken illegally for its soothing qualities. Librium addiction may develop, especially when the medicine is abused for an extended period.
Understanding how Librium is abused can help those who have been adversely affected by it.
What is Librium, and What Does It Treat?
Librium was developed in the 1950s by Hoffmann-LaRoche Pharmaceutical Company as a muscle relaxant to manage seizures, but it has come to be known as benzodiazepine. While this medication has many medical uses, people also abuse it for its calming and intoxicating properties.
Although the drug was developed for these purposes, it is occasionally abused by individuals who do not have any medical needs. Individuals may turn to abuse Librium when they are feeling anxious or stressed out. They will take more than prescribed or crush the pills and snort them for a faster high.
Often benzodiazepines are abused by people who have been taking opioids, such as heroin or morphine, to reduce the withdrawal symptoms that come when they stop using these drugs.
Taking benzodiazepines results in similar effects to taking opioids, and it provides a bridge while someone is trying to get back on their feet.
What Causes Librium Abuse?
When taken illegally or without a prescription, Librium can lead to physical dependence with continued use. Commonly referred to as “benzos,” benzodiazepines are usually abused because they depress the central nervous system creating a sedative effect that helps a user feel relaxed and carefree. With continued abuse over time, a user may become psychologically addicted to Librium due to its euphoric qualities.
Librium Overdose
Taking higher doses or combining Librium with other drugs such as alcohol or opiates increases the risk of an overdose. Death can result from high levels of Librium in the bloodstream. Ingestion of a fatal dose of Librium typically results in coma, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest.
Librium Addiction
Librium addiction may develop after using the drug on a long-term basis. Those who use Librium on occasion or occasionally may not develop an addiction. Librium abuse is also common because it can be purchased powder, while some individuals crush the tablets to snort them. Over time, a person can become physically dependent on benzodiazepines if taken for an extended time without tapering off.
Side Effects of Librium Abuse and Addiction
Though Librium can be beneficial in some cases, it can also cause adverse side effects when abused or misused.
In the short term, Librium abuse may result in:
- impaired concentration and coordination
- In rare instances, benzodiazepines have been linked to suicide or violent behavior. In the long-term, a Librium addiction can cause:
- tolerance resulting in a need for greater doses to achieve desired effects
Librium is a sedative that can produce a “high” when taken in high dosages, much like alcohol intoxication. In some cases, Librium use can lead to a coma or even an overdose.
Symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal include:
- anxiety
- muscle cramps
- insomnia
Long-term Librium use can be potentially dangerous because of its effects on the brain, so it is important to seek treatment when an addiction develops.
How Long Does Librium Stay In The Body?
Benzodiazepines such as Librium take longer to reduce the body’s concentrations. This is because they are often bound to plasma proteins, making them less accessible for metabolic enzymes compared to other drugs that are not bound to plasma proteins.
Librium stays in the bloodstream for an average of 20 days after ingestion, while its metabolites are eliminated more quickly.
The half-life of the Librium is 20 hours, meaning that it takes this amount of time to clear the body through urine. The drug binds strongly to plasma proteins and is eliminated slowly in the urine.
What are Common Street Names For Librium?
- Blue Heavens
- Blues
- Blue V’s
- Emperors
- Gifties
Librium Drug Combinations to Avoid
Polydrug use is the simultaneous or concurrent use of two or more drugs. According to studies, 80% of Benzodiazepine addiction is part of a larger polydrug abuse cycle, and
Librium is frequently used with alcohol, opioids, and cocaine.
Users frequently begin taking Librium after developing tolerance and the drug’s effects no longer being as strong. When alcohol and Librium are combined, the depressive symptoms of both drugs become amplified; this can result in profound sleepiness and stupor.
Benzodiazepines are frequently combined with opioids, such as Heroin, to increase their pleasurable sensations. People who use Librium with Cocaine sometimes utilize the former to balance out the latter’s side effects.
People who combine Librium with other substances are more likely to have negative effects on respiratory depression, blackouts, and extreme sedation. Mixing Librium with other medicines raises the risk of overdose, which can be deadly.
Librium Dependence And Withdrawal
As with most other benzodiazepines, Librium dependence can develop quickly. Once individuals develop a dependency on the drug, they will find it extremely difficult to stop taking it due to severe withdrawal symptoms.
A Librium addiction is characterized by tolerance, which leads to withdrawal if the individual abruptly stops taking the drug. Librium withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of alcohol, opioids, and cocaine. Some common side effects of withdrawal include:
- anxiety
- nausea
- intense cravings for Librium and/or other substances (e.g., alcohol, opioids, cocaine)
- seizures
- spasms
When an individual stops taking Librium without tapering off, they can experience extremely severe withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms may include:
- coma
- delirium tremens (DTs)
- hallucinations
If you or someone you know is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, make sure to find medical attention as soon as possible. To prevent dangerous side effects of sudden cessation of benzodiazepines, tapering the dose slowly is recommended by most physicians.
How Do You Taper Off From Librium?
Withdrawal should be done under the supervision of a medical professional. The patient must meet with their doctor to agree on a suitable tapering schedule for both parties.
Taper schedules vary depending on the individual’s needs and the severity of the addiction.
Some Common Tapering Methods Include:
1) Half-life Tapering: This tapering method is based on the medication’s half-life. The dosage of Librium is decreased by one-half every few nights until the patient is completely off the drug.
2) Sliding Scale Method: In this method, a specific amount of tablets are given to the patient each day, and as they decrease, the dosage is increased in small increments. This allows the patient to constantly remain at a low dose and slowly decrease it even further.
3) Day-by-Day Tapering: The entire Librium dosage is decreased every night and used up during each 24 hours before removing another tablet from the remaining total.
4) Full Amount Tapering: A patient is given the full amount of Librium tablets, and slowly decreases the dosage over time. When they feel close to being completely free of Librium, they can stop taking it for a couple of days until symptoms lessen.
Librium Addiction Treatment Options
A doctor sometimes prescribes benzodiazepines to treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.
Treatment for Librium addiction depends on individual needs. Inpatient treatment is available in most cases of benzodiazepine addiction. It will help you get off the drug safely with medical supervision while attending groups or counseling sessions that will allow you to talk about your addiction.
In some cases, Librium addiction treatment is provided through a partial hospitalization program (PHP) followed by outpatient treatment after the patient has been stabilized.
Addicts may attend a support group or a 12-Step meeting such as Narcotics Anonymous to help stave off cravings and share experiences with others who have been through similar struggles.
Librium addiction treatment is available to help addicts get clean even if they are currently incarcerated. The program director may make the option of ongoing drug testing or random drug tests to ensure that you are staying sober outside of the facility.
Rehabilitation centers for Librium addiction provide addicts with the support and guidance needed to stop abusing benzodiazepines.
How Does a Librium Detox Help?
Librium withdrawal is a harrowing process. Those who attempt to detox from benzodiazepines without any medical support can face severe side effects, including seizures and DTs, as well as the overwhelming cravings that come with opiates or opioids.
For those looking for Librium rehab centers, help is available in the form of detox programs.
Not only are detox centers staffed with medical care professionals, but they will also have aides to help you get through the withdrawal process. Medical personnel can safely assess your condition and put you on a gradual dosage reduction so that the transition is more manageable.
People often feel disoriented during benzodiazepine withdrawal, which is why it’s best to be under medical supervision.
The staff at any detox center will work with you every step of the way and help you attend to your physical needs and make sure that you are mentally prepared for attending group meetings and counseling sessions.
Group therapy and classes can help educate addicts about how addiction works, what triggers addiction, and what they can do to overcome their addictions.
You will be able to get through detox with the help of professionals and other patients who are going through the same process as you.
Some Librium addiction treatment programs may allow inpatient or outpatient treatment, depending on your needs.
Detox is only the first step towards recovery.
Librium addiction treatment is a long-term process, but it can ultimately help you reestablish your life and improve relationships. You may accomplish this with the help of a rehab program that will teach you how to maintain sobriety after leaving treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Librium Abuse, Overdose, and Addiction
How much is too much Librium?
The amount of Librium that would constitute an overdose differs depending on the person using it, but in general, 500 milligrams or more is considered a toxic dose. It also depends on how long you’ve been taking it, your current health conditions (if any), and whether you’ve taken other drugs at the same time.
How long before I get addicted to Librium?
Again, every person is different, but most people will become addicted to Librium after an average of 2-3 weeks of continuous use.
What happens when I’m addicted to Librium?
If you cannot keep your daily dose under control and take more than your doctor recommended doses, you could experience withdrawal symptoms that range from mild to potentially dangerous.
What are the effects of Librium?
Librium has a wide range of effects on the user, depending on dosage and frequency. Effects typically include relaxation or sedation, relief from anxiety, or loss of consciousness if taken in extremely high doses. Keep in mind that you’re more likely to experience these effects if you take too much, mix it with other drugs or alcohol, or have an underlying medical condition.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of Librium?
Suppose you suddenly stop taking Librium after being on a daily dose for more than three weeks. In that case, you may experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms, including muscle cramps and spasms, anxiety, tremors, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, fever, and irregular heartbeats. The severity of the symptoms also depends on how much you were taking each day.
