Diazepam and Addiction: What Users Say

• Lis...
• August 1, 2015

Diazepam for Anxiety "After taking Chantix for smoking cessation, I fell into a spiral of severe depression. I didn't feel like leaving my home other than going to work. I gained 25 pounds and felt my life was hopeless. I had always felt like an extrovert trapped in an introvert's body. I stumbled upon Valium when my husband gave me one for muscle cramps. The effects were amazing! I no longer felt trapped in my prison of isolation and misery. A word of caution, though: this drug is addictive and should be taken in small amounts, and withdrawal should be done slowly and under medical supervision. It is a shame Valium has such a bad rap."

• Wit...
• April 20, 2020

Diazepam for Alcohol Withdrawal "Valium is great to come off alcohol or any drug, however, you do not want to take this for more than 10 days. See therapy to sort out the real reasons you're masking your hidden troubles to become FREE. Valium is a DANGEROUS, ADDICTIVE drug once you have been on it for more than 3 to 4 weeks. You will only be left with your stuff to be dealt with. Short term."

• Mon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2017

Diazepam for Muscle Spasm "I was put on Valium 5 mg (generic Diazepam) twice daily for 2 reasons: severe muscle spasms and anxiety. It works well for sleeping, and I do not wake up feeling hung over like I was on Robaxin. I am a nurse's aide, and Valium can be highly addictive, so I only take it as needed when spasms and anxiety are bad."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2016

For Anxiety "I have been on diazepam since 2010. Initially, I started with 5 mg a day but went up to 20 mg a day, and it was wonderful. I was always anxious about everything. I decided to stop, but the anxiety started to kick in all over again. I'm on it again, and it is working wonders for me at the moment. The doctors keep saying it is addictive, but is it killing anyone?"

• Al ...
• June 21, 2017

For Anxiety "Now 77 years old, I have depression with mild anxiety. I am a white married male with mild cognitive impairment. First took Valium (diazepam) first pill 5 mg in grad school 40 years ago for acute anxiety and slept for 14 hours. Have been taking on and off, mostly for a night's sleep. It has had a beneficial effect overall, when taken perhaps as little as once a week. Now, going through difficult times, I'm up to 10-20 mg to get to sleep, as being awake worrying is more harmful. I'm approaching addiction, yet my choice is depression and agitation that only makes things worse. So, I'm a bit of a zombie, not good, but seems better than agitated depression (if there is such a condition)."

• Lil...
• March 10, 2018

For Anxiety "I am from the UK. I am prescribed 5 mg diazepam for severe bouts of anxiety to take occasionally when absolutely needed. The diazepam really helps, but please don't underestimate how dangerous these meds can be when not used responsibly. Only use under the careful advice of a qualified doctor. So the insane, hellish anxiety is calmed and soothed, and I get a few hours of blessed relief with diazepam. It's like pouring a cooling balm over a painful burn. My criticism is that the effects only last a few hours, and they are highly addictive and can be very dangerous and hell to wean off. Please use responsibly for short-term use only if possible. Please use wisely and also read the literature that comes with the meds. Diazepam has been a blessing for me when used occasionally when absolutely needed. It has provided relief from severe suffering. But I can't emphasize enough to please use carefully and responsibly, and under proper medical guidance by a qualified person."

• Sup...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 5, 2019

For Anxiety "I'm going to share my past experience with Valium over the last 5 years. I've self-medicated on 10 mg diazepam several times during my life, they are very effective for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, withdrawal from stronger benzodiazepines like Xanax, panic attacks, and insomnia. However, you MUST be careful and strictly moderate your intake. Lower your dosage slowly with advice from your doctor. Diazepam is incredibly addictive. Under no circumstances go cold turkey, as if you take a lot, you could end up with benzo withdrawal syndrome, which can be fatal. I'm weaning myself off them again for the 4th time in my life, and it's horrible. Tolerance also builds up at an astonishing rate."

• 3po...
• March 29, 2017

Diazepam for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder "TMJ causes me to wake up with a headache every single morning from grinding my teeth. My primary care had prescribed Ambien because of my sleep issues (inability to get to sleep, tinnitus), but when I began treatment for TMJ, I was told that Ambien promotes bruxism (grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw). At least I'm sleeping. So my TMJ doctor prescribed Valium to help me get to sleep and keep me from grinding (hopefully during the night). I have never had much luck with low doses of Valium...given for MRIs, etc....to get me to the point of relaxation, I have to take more than I am comfortable with due to the possibility of addiction....but what do you do? I feel damned if I do and damned if I don't. I still wake up with a headache, though not as severe and not every day, just most days."

• Pow...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 10, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "If the drug isn't working for you, then you need to get diagnosed again. It's very easy for a doctor to wrongly diagnose you, make sure you are truthful to your doctor about everything. Even see another doctor to get a second opinion. I am supposed to take diazepam 3 times a day, but I just take it when I feel anxious, and it works fine. It's best not to take it daily, as it is highly addictive, and withdrawal from any drug is the last thing you want. I would say diazepam is best for anxiety and relaxing your mind."

• Bun...
• October 19, 2016

For Anxiety "I've been on 20 mg (4x5 mg daily) for over 30 years now. Some days I take a few more, put on them after an operation that went wrong, and they are the only pill that helps with severe muscle spasms. Hate being addicted, but at my age, I refuse to come off."

• Cat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 26, 2019

For Anxiety "It works well for my anxiety. It most definitely will help you sleep, but it has never done a thing for my severe low back problems, and it does not help to keep my blood pressure down. But for anxiety, it's spot on. I'm prescribed 2 to 3 a day, but I take 1 and will take 2 if needed. I know how addictive this med is, my mother was on it for years. I have no intention of it being a habit."

• nic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 16, 2016

For Anxiety "Unless you are using this as a one-off, say for a flight or dental work, do not touch it! Docs may warn it is addictive, but they won't tell you that with long-term use you can actually go into withdrawal while still maintaining the same dose. I have been on it for 17 years, and it's ruined my life. Anxiety is worse, and I have developed severe agoraphobia and depression. I did my research since the doctors are no help, and these are common effects of long-term use. No one warned me, and now I face withdrawing, which is complicated and painful in itself, but the only way I stand a chance of recovery. It will take a very long time, though. The drowsiness was awful, that wore off, but I am so unsteady on my feet that it amplifies my anxiety."

• Ben...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 25, 2022

For Muscle Spasm "This medication (diazepam) has given me back a much better quality of life. I suffer from MS, and the severe, painful spasms it causes are crippling. 10 mg of diazepam 2-3 times daily benefits me and enables me to do physical therapy. It brings my pain level down, decreases the frequency and severity of muscle spasms. I've tried baclofen, Robaxin, Flexeril, etc. Nothing helps like the Valium. I can see how it's addicting and has abuse potential, but for me, the benefits outweigh the risks. I've been using diazepam for approx. 10 years now and don't plan on stopping because literally nothing else works!"

• kag...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 9, 2019

For Anxiety "Works well, especially with tolerance breaks. Tolerance builds quickly, so days off are recommended, usually if larger doses are required. One day on, two days off is recommended. Highly addictive, and patients with drug abuse and/or addiction/habituation history should be monitored very closely."

• Ree...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 17, 2018

For Anxiety "I've been on benzos for 15 years. And for 15 years, I was miserable. Taking a benzo for a short time is okay, but I got addicted to them and was in and out of the hospital 7 times in those 15 years because of them. I'm completely off all benzos, diazepam being the last one I took, and I feel fantastic. I can go to sleep on my own, and I have no anxiety or desire to take any more. If you really need them, they're good for a short time, but confronting what's making you anxious and seeing a therapist is the best option. I take Buspar once in a while for any panic I might have, and that works great. But please think about how you're going to feel in the long term before getting on any benzo."

• Jon...
• February 1, 2021

For Muscle Spasm "I have painful back spasms. Doctor won't prescribe diazepam. When I get a spasm, I can't walk. Can't get to the phone or loo. But as they are addictive, I can't get them until I throw myself down the stairs in spasm, get found a week later, and wake in the hospital. How can I make it with a chemistry set or just get the doctor to prescribe!!!!!"

• Ben...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 31, 2017

For Anxiety "Don't make the mistake so many others do by taking this horrible drug. You will get relief initially, but make no mistake about it, this is really addictive, and before you know it, you will hit tolerance and will need to take more to continue feeling OK. However, you may get to the point where it actually makes you feel horrible, waking up every morning with extreme anxiety and hopelessness. I've been off all benzos for 9 weeks now, and I'm finally starting to feel normal. Before trying this med, do your research, and you'll find out how many poor souls are out there suffering every day with very little relief."

• Emm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2024

For Alcohol Withdrawal "Your brain loves this medication! Chronic AUD for 15 years and I have Valium on standby to help with low-grade anxiety as required. I rarely take it as I don’t want another addiction. Monitored by my GP, I take 5-10 mg when I feel anxious after a big night. It just takes the edge off for me, so Clonidine is my preferred recovery medication. I ration Diazepam as it is a last resort medication for me. Doctors are reluctant to prescribe it due to addiction and abuse potential. I would recommend to take the medication only when needed. Hope this review helps!"

• L W...
• November 20, 2020

For Anxiety "I have bipolar II depressive disorder. When I get a depressive episode, it is accompanied by severe anxiety/panic. Diazepam helps me through these episodes. It takes the edge off the suffering. I only take them temporarily when having a flare-up of my condition. I would not recommend long-term use. They are highly addictive and potentially dangerous. When used correctly, these drugs are very good. They are to be treated with respect and caution. I also found these helpful when transitioning from one antidepressant to another and helpful for coping with antidepressant withdrawal (discontinuation) symptoms because SSRI and SSNRI withdrawal is like being in the pits of a nightmare in my experience and caused me multiple agonies. Diazepam helps reduce these symptoms for me. Over time, if used continuously, diazepam can become less effective but still addictive, so I would only take them when you absolutely need to."

• tia...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 4, 2016

For Anxiety "Avoid this medication, it has stolen my life. I wasn't told the risks of addiction and withdrawal. And believe me, when you're going through withdrawal, you're on your own, as doctors are in denial about the consequences of this drug, which I can only describe as horrific. Run for the hills if you're prescribed benzos."

• Gar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 14, 2021

For Light Sedation "Great medication if you have self-control and know the dangers of addiction. I only get 20 x 5 mg tablets once every 3 months or so. Sleep guaranteed for 6 hours for me when I take 10 mg. Great for stress. But again, they are addictive, and doctors are getting strict."

• kiw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2015

"I had sleeping problems for a few years now and started taking 1 x 10 mg tablet just before bed. I wake up feeling great and enthusiastic, my partner and son have commented on my better mood and well-being. I feel more energetic and have more positive thoughts. I run my own business and have noticed, as well as others, that my positive approach and staff praise have created more enthusiasm for me and my employees. I'm much more enthusiastic about keeping fit and now cycle 4 times a week instead of just the once. Overall, it has benefited me greatly, and I've only been taking it for 3 weeks. I would definitely not take it during a normal working day, as it would just send me to sleep. As far as addiction goes, I cannot see a problem."

• Ple...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2019

Diazepam for Anxiety "Valium is a great anti-anxiety medication, but please be aware and take the medication very sparingly, like if you are going out or driving or going to a gig one time. Whatever you do, don't take these preemptively and never ever take these daily. 2.5 mg of Valium for once-off anxiety is great. Use it no more than one time for one month, and you should be fine. I recommend not using Valium for more than two days in a row, otherwise, you will get addicted, and Valium is a nightmare to get off of if you are addicted. You will need to slow taper off of it if you have been taking this long-term, and this can take months or years. Check out Benzo Buddies for the horror stories. Don't drink any alcohol while taking this either, as both substances potentiate each other, making both stronger. Please, please be careful."

• DJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2019

Diazepam for Anxiety "This drug almost killed me, as did the psychiatrist who prescribed it. In early 2017, I started with this new doctor who completely changed my psych regimen after a difficult move and sudden loss of a sister to a drug overdose. He started me on a low dose of Valium. It did work, but right away, problems were showing. Soon enough, I was hooked and popping these like lifesavers. My wife expressed concern about it, and what did the doctor do? He increased the dosage and quantity. Soon, I was getting through the day with up to thirty pills. I experienced multi-organ failure earlier this summer and subsequent heart failure. My primary doctor recommended a new psychiatrist who was shocked at my regimen. He said he wouldn’t see me until I had beaten the addiction. It was tough. He has since switched me to buspirone, although maxed out at 60 mg. Valium may work in the short term, but just don’t do it. It’s a destroyer."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 20, 2015

For Anxiety "If you want something to control your panic attack for a short period of time, this is perfect. It's only meant to be used for a few weeks. It's very addicting, so watch out."