Valium Addiction Treatment & Rehab
Written by Thomas Christiansen
& Medically Reviewed by Dr. Candace Crowley, PhD
Medically Reviewed
Last updated: 08/15/2020
Key Takeaways
- Professional Valium rehab centers provide the knowledge and support needed to achieve recovery
- Valium addiction treatment options include medical detox, residential or outpatient rehab programs, treatment for co-occurring conditions and aftercare programs
- The duration of Valium rehab varies from person to person, but detox alone can last weeks or months
- Many health insurance plans provide addiction treatment coverage, but if insurance is not available several alternative funding methods can be used to fund rehab
- Location, cost, methods of treatment, success rate, duration of treatment and staff to patient ratio should be considered when selecting a rehab center
Rehab is an important step in recovery from Valium addiction. While rehab is challenging, professional treatment centers provide the necessary support for recovery.
Valium is an effective medication for anxiety, muscle spasms, sleep disorders, panic attacks and seizures. The use of benzodiazepines, such as Valium, has increased in recent decades. In the United States, the percentage of adults who filled a benzodiazepine prescription increased by 30% between 1996 and 2013. Valium tolerance and dependence can develop quickly and lead to misuse and addiction.
Although Valium addiction is a serious condition that many people deal with, recovery can be achieved with the proper treatment. Valium addiction treatment is a chance to regain control and achieve a healthy lifestyle. A professional Valium rehab center provides the knowledge and support needed to recover.
Valium Addiction Treatment Options
Valium addiction withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even life-threatening if a person does not taper off the drug slowly. Valium withdrawal is also a prolonged process, with symptoms persisting for months or years in some cases. Thus, most people need professional help to complete detox and achieve recovery. Valium addiction treatment can vary significantly from person to person depending on their needs, as no single treatment is right for everyone.
Valium addiction treatment options include medical detox, residential or outpatient rehab programs, treatment for co-occurring conditions and aftercare programs. These Valium treatment options allow individuals dealing with addiction to overcome withdrawal symptoms, receive treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, confront the root cause of their addiction and learn coping mechanisms to achieve long-term recovery.
Residential Rehab
Valium rehab centers offer 24/7 structured and intensive care, including safe housing and medical attention. Residential rehab involves a comprehensive program that includes all stages of recovery, including evaluation, medical detox and ongoing therapeutic support. People participating in inpatient rehab live at a facility full time while completing treatment for Valium addiction. While there, patients receive continual medical supervision while participating in counseling sessions and group therapy. Inpatient programs allow patients to focus on Valium rehab without outside distractions or pressures. These programs are also tailored to meet each person’s individual addiction history and recovery needs.
Residential rehab is generally recommended for those dealing with severe Valium addiction. During residential rehab, patients also receive psychotherapy to help modify their attitudes and behaviors linked to Valium use and develop healthy life skills. Studies have shown that gradual Valium dose reduction combined with psychological treatment is more effective during recovery than tapering the drug alone.
Outpatient Rehab
After completion of residential Valium rehab, or as an alternative to residential programs, patients join an outpatient rehab program. Outpatient rehab involves regular clinic visits and individual or group therapy meetings while the patient continues with their daily life. Most outpatient programs also include forms of psychotherapy and 12-step programs. Outpatient rehab is often intensive at first, and patients attend sessions multiple times a week. Patients then transition to less-frequent meetings once recovery is established. Outpatient rehab allows people to maintain their relationships and work commitments while working toward recovery.
Dual Diagnosis
The dual diagnosis of Valium addiction and mental health conditions makes treatment more difficult, although full recovery is possible with treatment tailed to both conditions. Valium addiction commonly occurs alongside mental health conditions such as:
- Anxiety disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Mood disorders
Mental health conditions may increase the risk of having a substance use disorder such as Valium addiction, and Valium use may worsen mental health condition symptoms. When an individual is affected by Valium addiction and a mental health condition, dual diagnosis treatment tailored to the individual’s needs is vital to achieving recovery. A professional Valium rehab center that offers dual diagnosis rehab can provide proper care for both Valium addiction and mental health conditions.
Aftercare and Sober Living
After leaving a residential or outpatient rehab facility, continued support is vital for long-term recovery. Individuals recovering from Valium addiction may utilize drug rehab aftercare and sober living options. Drug rehab aftercare programs are designed to support people recovering from addiction as they begin their sobriety journey. These programs include regular, often weekly group meetings such as 12-step programs. At these meetings, attendees check-in regarding their sobriety and share the challenges they have faced with others in recovery. Sober-living programs, also known as halfway or transitional houses, are living spaces shared by people in recovery. These living spaces provide a safe, sober space in which people recovering from addiction can focus on their recovery. Sober living programs commonly involve drug testing and recovery program requirements to help individuals stay on the path to addiction recovery.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab
Selecting inpatient vs. outpatient rehab for Valium addiction treatment depends on an individual’s recovery needs and life situation. With inpatient rehab, an individual lives full time at a recovery center while they undergo detox, receive counseling and attend group meetings. Inpatient rehab for Valium addiction can last anywhere from weeks to months. Inpatient Valium rehab can be especially useful for individuals who have a co-occurring mental health condition or substance use disorder, as Valium withdrawal can be more complicated in these people.
Inpatient rehab may not be a good fit for individuals who are unable to leave their job or family for treatment. With outpatient rehab, an individual lives outside of rehab while regularly attending a rehab program, including counseling and group meetings. Outpatient rehab provides the most flexibility and is a good fit for those who need to continue working or caring for their families. However, outpatient rehab does not offer the 24/7 support of an inpatient program.
How Long Does Rehab Take?
Individuals seeking treatment may wonder, “How long does rehab take?” The duration of benzodiazepine rehab varies from person to person, but detox alone can last weeks or months. Professional medical staff at Valium rehab centers will tailor a Valium tapering schedule to each person depending on their prior Valium use and medical history. Someone who has used high doses of Valium for an extended period may need a longer detox process, as medical staff slowly taper off the dosage to limit withdrawal symptoms.
A recommended Valium tapering schedule involves decreasing the dose by 50% the first two to four weeks, maintaining that dose for one to two months, then reducing the dose by 25% every two weeks until usage is stopped. Someone with a long-term, severe addiction may need to attend inpatient or outpatient rehab for an extended period to gain the skills necessary to maintain sobriety. Co-occurring substance use disorders or mental health conditions may also change the timeframe for Valium rehab. It is important to remember that Valium rehab is an individual experience, so each person should not compare their detox experience to others’ experiences.
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What Does Valium Rehab Cost?
Valium rehab is a medical service that involves a financial cost. Rehab costs can vary depending on the type and duration of treatment and the particular center. Fortunately, many health insurance plans provide addiction treatment coverage. If an individual does not have insurance, there are several alternative funding methods.
Does Insurance Cover Rehab?
Many health insurance plans include coverage for rehab to treat conditions such as Valium addiction. However, coverage can vary significantly between plans. Professional addiction treatment centers can determine the level of rehab insurance each policy includes to help clients understand their options.
Can I Go to Rehab Without Insurance?
Fortunately, Valium rehab without insurance is possible. Alternative payment methods for drug rehab without insurance include:
- Sliding fee scale: The sliding fee scale system is used to assist people who can’t afford to pay for treatment in full; payment is negotiated with the rehab center depending on the person’s income.
- Government support: Government assistance programs offer financial assistance for addiction treatment.
- Private pay: Paying out of pocket for rehab without insurance, sliding fee scale or government support.
Choosing a Valium Rehab Center
Individuals seeking Valium addiction treatment may wonder how to choose a rehab center. Finding the right center for Valium addiction treatment can be a challenging task but it impacts the success of the detox process and long-term recovery. It is critical to find a rehab center that develops individual treatment plans to fit each person’s needs. There are several additional factors to consider when selecting a rehab center, including:
- Close to Home or Far? A facility close to home may be a good fit for individuals who need or desire to be close to loved ones, while an out of state facility may be a better fit for those looking for a fresh start.
- Cost: Availability of insurance coverage and total program cost can determine whether a facility is a good option for some individuals.
- Methods of Treatment Provided: It is essential to select a facility that utilizes evidence-based practices for recovery treatment, includes care for co-occurring disorders such as mental health conditions and provides follow-up and aftercare to support long-term recovery.
- Success Rate: A center with a high success rate for treating Valium addiction is a good choice.
- Duration of Treatment: Since Valium detox can be a long process, a center that can provide support during the entire withdrawal process is important.
- Staff to Patient Ratio: A high staff to patient ratio ensures the proper supervision and support for each person.
What to Expect When You Go to Rehab
Rehab experiences can differ depending on the facility and addiction treatment program. Most rehab programs involve an intake process where the staff learns about each person and their substance use history. Medical staff may perform a physical exam and laboratory tests. Bags are commonly searched to ensure no drugs are brought into the rehab center.
Privacy and free time may be limited during rehab, as addiction treatment typically involves a busy schedule of individual and group therapy sessions along with wellness activities. Inpatient and outpatient rehab centers have a set of rules that must be followed to ensure patient safety and support successful treatment. Rehab is a time to focus on recovery and learn the skills needed to maintain long-term sobriety once treatment is completed. A patient can take comfort in knowing that they will be surrounded by people who are fully supportive of their recovery.
What to Bring to Valium Rehab
An individual preparing for Valium rehab should pack any items they need to feel calm and secure, including comfortable clothing and shoes, prescription medications, exercise gear, toiletries, reading materials and hobby materials such as journals, knitting or sketchbooks. They should also bring a form of identification, such as a driver’s license, insurance cards and credit cards or cash. Depending on the rehab center, cell phones, tablets, MP3 players and laptops may be permitted.
What Happens After Rehab?
Valium addiction recovery is a lifelong process and long-term follow up is essential for preventing relapse. After leaving a residential or outpatient rehab facility, continued professional and family support is vital. Individuals who are recovering from Valium addiction may utilize drug rehab aftercare and sober living options to sustain their ongoing sobriety. Maintaining a connection to the services provided by treatment programs after leaving rehab is an integral part of recovery. Participation in individual therapy and 12-step addiction support groups can provide accountability and support when dealing with continuing life challenges.
How Rehab Improves Recovery
Rehab provides a safe, structured place to begin recovery while helping release individuals from the hold Valium has on their body and life. Long-term drug abstinence rates after detox from benzodiazepines such as Valium range from 25% at 12 months for those with severe dependence to 80% for older adults with prescription-based dependence. Although set criteria to measure rehab success do not exist, according to research that tracks people in addiction treatment over extended periods, most people who seek treatment consistently stop using drugs, decrease their criminal activity and improve their social and psychological functioning.
Relapse rates for addiction are around 40% to 60%, resembling those of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Attending a professional rehab center and maintaining long-term participation in aftercare programs increases the rates of recovery. Rehab provides a long-lasting foundation for recovery by providing the necessary skills needed to remain sober.
View Sources
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Pittman, Catherine. “The Overlooked Risks of Benzodiazepine Use: Forgotten Dangers of a Commonly Prescribed Medication.” 9th Annual Drug Abuse Symposium, October 30, 2018. Accessed July 17, 2019.
World Health Organization. “Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings.” 2009. Accessed July 17, 2019.
Brett, Jonathan; Murnion, Bridin. “Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.” Australian Prescriber, October 2015. Accessed July 17, 2019.
National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. “Effective Treatments for PTSD: Helping Patients Taper from Benzodiazepines.” January 2015. Accessed July 17, 2019.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition).” January 2018. Accessed July 14, 2019.
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