Librium Addiction

Librium is a prescription benzodiazepine that can treat anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Its main ingredient is chlordiazepoxide. While Librium is approved for medical use, it can also be habit-forming.

Librium addiction is a serious mental health condition, characterized by an inability to stop taking the drug. Risk factors for Librium addiction include long-term use of Librium and taking Librium without a prescription.

Librium addiction can be visible to family members and loved ones. If you see signs of drug addiction in yourself or someone close to you, a benzodiazepine addiction treatment program may be able to help.

What Is Librium?

Librium is a brand name benzodiazepine, a type of drug that can slow down activity in the central nervous system. Its main ingredient, chlordiazepoxide, may affect GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Increased amounts of GABA in the brain can reduce anxiety, manage panic attacks, and induce drowsiness. The effects of Librium can be helpful for treating anxiety and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Librium is a schedule IV controlled substance according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Librium’s sedative effects can make it a desirable target of drug abuse.

Effects Of Librium Use

Librium can have short-term sedative, calming effects on the mind, while slowing down activity in the body.

Side effects of Librium use may include:

• sedation
• impairment
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• light-headedness
• constipation

These effects may be more intense if the drug is taken in high doses.

Librium Abuse Potential

Librium is a schedule IV controlled substance in the U.S. Its abuse potential is recognized by medical professionals, and taking Librium for a long period of time (more than 4 months) may not be recommended in most cases.

Forms of Librium abuse may include taking Librium in higher doses than directed, taking Librium without a prescription, and altering the form of Librium before ingesting it.

Dependence & Withdrawal

Taking Librium for longer than 4 months may reduce the effectiveness of the drug, while increasing physical dependency on it. Dependency can occur when the body is unable to function properly without Librium, and enters a withdrawal syndrome when deprived for a period of time.

Librium withdrawal symptoms may include vomiting, sweating, dysphoria, muscle cramps, cravings, rebound anxiety, and tremors. These symptoms may cause a person to relapse on Librium, in order to avoid discomfort and pain.

Substance Use Disorder

Dependency and withdrawal are two aspects of a substance use disorder, an overarching mental health problem where drug abuse continues despite a person’s declining health. A drug addiction may be referred to as a substance use disorder in professional circles.

Warning Signs Of Librium Addiction

Substance abuse can change a person’s priorities, as a significant portion of their focus is directed towards taking the drug. This change in habits and behavior can be visible to others.

Signs that a loved one may be engaging in high-risk drug use include:

• changes in social habits and friend groups
• exhibiting withdrawal symptoms such as sleeping problems, tremors, and sweating
• experiencing severe anxiety as a form of withdrawal
• decline in work or school performance

These signs may indicate a person close to you is putting their well-being at risk due to drug use.

Librium Overdose

Long-term Librium abuse can greatly increase the risk of overdose, as high doses may be ingested on a consistent basis.

Overdoses on benzodiazepines alone may be uncommon compared to other drugs. However, the risk of overdose greatly increases if polydrug abuse occurs with Librium and opioids.

Librium and opioids can combine in the body to create a powerful sedative effect. This can lead to severe respiratory depression, a state of slowed or stopped breathing. Librium overdose can also cause severe intoxication, slurred speech, and low blood pressure.

If you see these signs of overdose in a loved one, call for help immediately.

Librium Addiction Treatment Options

It can be difficult to stop taking benzodiazepines on your own, due to the risk of withdrawal and existing physical dependence. Professional treatment programs can recommend a treatment plan for a manageable recovery process.

Treatment may begin with a detox program, a process where benzodiazepines are flushed out of your system. You may be recommended to stay at a rehab center, so your health can be monitored during the withdrawal process.

Further treatment options may include a tapering schedule, where your dose of Librium may gradually decrease over time.

To find out if our outpatient treatment program works for you, please contact Northeast Addictions Treatment Center today.

FAQs

How High Of A Librium Dose Is Too Much?

The dosage of Librium depends on why the medication has been prescribed, which can be due to the treatment of symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, preoperative apprehension, and anxiety.

Taking larger doses of Librium than prescribed is too much and can result in an overdose.

Learn more about Librium Dosage

How Do You Taper Off Librium?

Librium tapering tends to follow the standard benzodiazepine tapering schedule, with an initial 25% dose reduction followed by additional 10-25% smaller doses of Librium every 1-2 weeks.

This schedule should be adjusted frequently depending on how well the patient is able to tolerate the tapering process.

Learn more about a Librium Taper Schedule

What Do Librium Pills Look Like?

Librium pills come in a few different colors including green, white, black, blue, and yellow. What the pills look like depends on the manufacturer and the dosage.

Learn more about What Librium Looks Like

How Long Does Librium Stay In Your System?

Librium can stay in your system for 5 to 10 days after last use. Common drug tests can detect Librium for up to 10 days after the last dose.

Learn more about How Long Librium Stays In Your System

Is Librium Classified As A Benzodiazepine?

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is a long-acting benzodiazepine drug. It is typically prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, and symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal.

Learn more about Librium As A Benzodiazepine

What’s The Difference Between Librium & Xanax?

Although both drugs are benzodiazepines, Librium is no longer used as the brand name for chlordiazepoxide but Xanax continues to be the brand name for alprazolam. In addition to this, Librium has a half-life of 5-30 hours while Xanax has a half-live of 6-12 hours.

Learn more about Librium Vs. Xanax

Is Librium A Controlled Substance?

Yes, Librium is a controlled substance. The FDA and DEA have classified it as a Schedule IV controlled substance. This means it has a low potential for abuse but can still lead to dependence and addiction.

Learn more about Librium As A Controlled Substance

Can Librium Get You High?

Yes, Librium can get you high. A Librium high can cause effects such as sedation, weakness, drowsiness, and impairment. The side effects of Librium abuse can outweigh the benefits, especially in the long-term.

Learn more about a Librium High

Is Librium A Legal Drug?

Librium (generic name chlordiazepoxide) is a legal drug. However, the brand name Librium has been discontinued.

Chlordiazepoxide is still considered a benzodiazepine used to help treat those suffering from anxiety disorders or alcohol withdrawal and is currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use.

To learn more, read Is Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) Legal In The U.S.?

Do People Use Librium Recreationally?

People do use the generic form of Librium, chlordiazepoxide, recreationally. It’s likely used due to the euphoric or “high” feeling it can create. However, using the drug recreationally also comes with a number of risks and side effects.

Learn more about Recreational Librium Use