Valium and Withdrawal: What Users Say

• Anx...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 8, 2014

For Anxiety "I've been on just about every benzodiazepine there is, and Valium (diazepam) is all around the best for combating debilitating anxiety symptoms. It may not be the most potent benzo, but it has wide and equal benzo effects, including sedation, muscle relaxation, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and can be used for insomnia. Now, the main reason why Valium is the best is its extra-long half-life. Its effects can linger for days, which is helpful if you have chronic anxiety. It also prevents those ups and downs short-acting benzos cause like Xanax and Ativan. Another thing to note is withdrawal from Valium is by far the most mild out of all the benzos. This wonderful medication is an oldie but goodie."

• 186...
• February 7, 2016

For Anxiety "I love this medication, and it frustrates me that it is shunned upon so heavily by most doctors and mental health practitioners. It's true, the withdrawals can be incredibly bad, but if not abused, this medication is a godsend for those with anxiety. I have strong mood issues, and while I try to meditate, exercise, eat small regular meals, keep busy, and be active, etc., which helps most days, sometimes it just doesn't cut it when I'm having extreme anxiety and just need to relax. I was prescribed 5mg for travel (panic attacks flying), but I cut that into 1/4 and just take 1.25mg occasionally here and there when I need it. That's all you need, and I find it does the job amazingly."

• Msm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2018

For Anxiety "Let me start off by thanking Valium for helping me to get onto an airplane after years of fear! I got on that plane like I owned it, lol... I got into Mexico and was still calm as a clam on the taxi ride to the hotel. Okay, but now my anxiety has come back to me lately, and I've felt the need to take 5mg of Valium almost every other day. I'm a changed person on it... I have no fears, it helps me to feel secure... it brings my appetite back to the point I want to order everything off the menu... I'm more calm with my children, I'm happy and playful. I also see a counselor once a week, and I am aware of the unfortunate withdrawals Valium could possibly have."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2021

For Anxiety "I have PTSD, severe anxiety, panic attack disorder, insomnia, and depression. I am in recovery, but at one point, it was all so bad that I reached psychological burnout. I no longer felt nor had energy. This drug has been my savior. This is the only drug that instantly diffuses panic attacks and flashbacks. I manage to only take it as needed, some days I don't need any. But just knowing it is there is enough to make me feel like it's going to be okay. I am grateful I have a wonderful doctor who understands and actually helps me. I have felt withdrawal symptoms in the past, and I can see how it can be addictive. But for someone suffering for so long for something to take away the panic attacks without resorting to drinking, etc., I am so grateful."

• Imi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2024

For Anxiety "I've been on Valium (diazepam) for over ten years now, and I would definitely recommend it for panic attacks, PTSD, and phobias. Before the diazepam, I was taking 400 mg of Phenobarbital daily. While I still think the Phenobarbital is stronger and better for panic, it's outdated, and no one will prescribe it for anxiety anymore (along with meprobamate and butalbital). Valium is the best benzodiazepine for me personally. It has a fast onset, especially if I am actively panicked, averaging about 15 minutes to an hour, depending on my mood. It's got a long half-life, so I don't get interdose withdrawal, and I get great coverage. After years of being on 40 mg daily, my new prescriber agreed to 60 mg/day as my PTSD is so bad and I have a tolerance, this has been a game changer, and it's working even better than before. Downsides are you cannot drive while on Valium as it is intoxicating, drowsiness and sedation, physical tolerance and withdrawal, and addiction issues."

• Suf...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 27, 2018

For Anxiety "My psychiatrist prescribed this for me reluctantly when I demanded some relief from horrible anxiety. I did not abuse it, and he monitored my intake. In the first few years, I averaged 10 mg per week. I went through a horrible personal tragedy and upped the dose, with psychiatrists' full knowledge. The tragedy lasted 3 years, and I quit Valium cold turkey. I stayed in bed 8 months and learned the meaning of the phrase 'pray without ceasing.' Literally. For those who need some kind of timeline, I speak from experience that withdrawal eased up after 8 months. God willing, I will never touch benzos again. Short-term, for some patients, they offer some benefits. Short term ONLY."

• Mel...
• February 23, 2016

For Anxiety "Used for 17 years, worked well at first but needed increased doses as I became tolerant. Held the same dose for the past 7 years then suddenly became acutely anxious and agoraphobic, dose was increased again but the only result was awful unsteadiness on my feet. Finally, I was told that some people get withdrawal symptoms even while taking the same dose, and it seems that is the problem I have. Never been this ill in my life and now I face having to taper off it which scares me. My experience and opinion is it was fine short term but long term caused me more problems than it ever solved."

• jhu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 24, 2015

For Anxiety "I have been taking Valium for 15 years for sleep and anxiety, 15-30mg. This drug has worked well through the years but I have begun to notice memory and balance issues, so I decided to get off of it. The first time, I quickly tapered off and one night, I awoke to a racing heartbeat, tremors, and an intense feeling like my head, face, and back were on fire. I had to go back on because of this. Now I'm doing a slow taper, so far, I have gone from 15mg to 7.5mg over 4 months. Going from 15-10mg was easy, but going under 10mg has been very difficult at times. For years I was very positive about this drug, but I do not think you should take it for more than a month unless you absolutely have to. Just be careful, as withdrawals can be severe."

• Lis...
• August 1, 2015

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."

• Jea...
• June 20, 2020

For Muscle Spasm "My doctor prescribed Valium after I had two lung surgeries. It was to treat the pain and muscle spasms. Thankful it was only 5 mgs per night. I couldn’t get a refill in time, and I’d been on it for about two years. I just felt it was time to get off of the Valium. I think I’m doing better pain-wise. And I take Tramadol for that pain during the day. I have been experiencing withdrawals. I am taking natural supplements in place to wean me off. I shake a little, rapid anxious thoughts, digestive upset, irritability, panic. It’s not good to take it long term. I rated Valium high because it did its job, relaxed me, and the only side effects for me were dry mouth and being more tired in the morning. The con is clearly the addictive properties of it. Your body starts to need it just to go to sleep or feel normal. I’m hoping this will end soon. I read it can take months or years to come off Valium. I was on a low dose, so I hope it won’t last that long."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 7, 2017

For Anxiety "Having anxiety my whole life, I never sought help and always hid it. Eventually, it led to depression, which I covered up too. The final nail in my coffin was when I acquired a parasitic infection in my gut. The infection left me with permanent irritable bowel syndrome, which I suffer from every day. For a year straight, I saw numerous nerve pain experts and probably had 100 pill bottles in my drawer, which nothing helped. My first psychiatrist started to prescribe medicines I already tried, which I denied, then asked for 5mg Valium. Miracle drug that took all pain away, physical and mental. After 2 years, decided to stop, which was a devil's ride to hell. Miracle drug with insane withdrawal when stopped, even tapering. Back to being miserable now."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 16, 2021

For Anxiety "For my panic disorder, I used to take short-acting benzos, i.e., Ativan, which, of course, works; however, dependence and subsequent painful withdrawal followed hours after discontinuation. I am able to take Valium, which is a long-acting benzo that seems (for me) to have a slower onset of action and a much longer duration of action. I notice that I'm able to start/stop the medication without experiencing withdrawal symptoms like I had with Ativan. Sometimes, I can go weeks, even months, without a need to take it. I use 2 mg; it works great, and I have never needed more. In fact, sometimes I break the pill in half and only take 1 mg. The drug certainly can be abused, but I do feel it gets a bad rap. As always, this medication isn't for everyone and shouldn't be used by everyone."

• Gee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 20, 2018

For Anxiety "The medication I stopped for a month off a taper. And just went back on it. I was sweating profusely, along with social anxiety and PTSD. It has been a godsend medication, but the only downfall is that it can have bad withdrawal symptoms! But I was on Xanax 4 mg daily and Valium. The Xanax withdrawal put me in the hospital, but the Valium withdrawal is mild, but it is dangerous. Hope this helps someone in need of some advice! Make sure it's only taken at the recommended dose and try to use it every couple of days, not daily, otherwise, you develop a tolerance."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2018

For Alcohol Withdrawal "Valium has been a godsend for my benzodiazepine taper. On it a month now as of March 22, 2018. It is very relaxing and mild now, but at first, it was very sedating for the first 5 days. I take 10 mg 2x a day. I am being tapered off of Klonopin after 12 years on that drug. K-pin is hell to get off of alone. Glad my psych doc is open-minded and dropped the K-pin immediately and switched me to Valium after I told him about the Ashton Taper Method and that I wanted off the Klonopin because it was giving me bad withdrawals if I missed a dose. If you are serious about getting off of benzos, I urge you to Google the Ashton Taper Method."

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2021

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I used Valium 10 mg about 6 times to get off alcohol, but I know it’s just as bad to get off benzos, so I’d stop taking it after a month or so. I relapsed about 8 times and now have the beginning stages of cirrhosis. That’s what it took for me to stop. Valium is good for the withdrawal symptoms, but I wouldn’t recommend long-term use."

• ant...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 16, 2025

For Anxiety "Beware of long-term benzo withdrawal neurological damage, it is not worth the risk. Do not go near this drug if you’re not prepared to deal with harsh and permanent consequences that will last for years. And yes, I’m being serious-years!"

• mar...
• August 4, 2017

For Muscle Spasm "You know perfectly well this drug is hell, and the withdrawal of it is obscene if you even make it. How dare doctors not let patients know this up front. It is criminal. For years this withdrawal issue has been known and hidden from patients and even doctors. It has ruined my life and many others, millions of others. Speak up."