What Is Librium?
Librium is the brand name of the medication Chlordiazepoxide, a medication usually prescribed to deal with insomnia and treat anxiety issues. It is also used to treat the acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms that come with alcohol detox and to relieve anxiety before surgeries. It may also be prescribed to help patients with muscle tension, seizures, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is a white, crystalline substance that comes in multicolored capsules to be swallowed, and each Librium capsule comes in doses of 5mg, 10mg, and 25mg.
It has psychotropic properties and is usually prescribed to users for long-term use. Its effectiveness as a mental health medication usually reaches full strength after four months of continued use. When used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms or acute anxiety or panic, it is used for a short period as a sedative, causing severe drowsiness if overused.
To know what is Librium, you should learn some of the common street names for Librium, which include:
- L
- Normies
- Blue Bombs
- Bennies
- Benzos
- Tranqs
- Downers
Although it is not a controlled substance, like many benzodiazepines, Librium is highly likely to create dependence in its users, especially if snorted or mixed with water and injected, but can cause addiction even if they are taking the medication as prescribed. For this reason, it is in the patient’s best interest that medical professionals closely monitor their use of this medication. Tell your doctor if you believe you are developing a dependence on this medication.
Librium acts directly on the brain by enhancing the GABA neurotransmitters, affecting the central nervous system, thereby affecting dopamine release in the brain by stopping the brain from limiting the flow. This process immediately diminishes sensations of pain and anxiety, producing a sense of calm for anywhere from five to thirty hours at a time.
Librium has a half-life of five to 30 hours, which means it falls somewhere between an intermediate and a long-acting benzo medication. Depending on the person and the dosage, it can take several hours to feel the full effects of this drug after swallowing it.
Librium Abuse and Addiction
This drug is very effective in the short-term treatment of panic attacks and alcohol withdrawal symptoms but is highly addictive. As it produces pleasurable calming sensations and even intoxication resembling alcohol intoxication at high doses, Librium is often abused.
Because it affects the brain’s capacity to produce dopamine on its own, Librium use will create a physical dependence on the substance over time. Without taking the drug, the user will no longer experience normal amounts of pleasure or happiness. This may result in a user taking more than the prescribed dosage to get high or using it in combination with other drugs to enhance their effects.
Dangers of Librium Abuse
Some of the short-term effects of Librium abuse include:
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Liver problems
- Skin rashes
- Nausea
- Menstrual irregularities
- A noticeable change in a person’s sex drive
The long-term damage includes the brain becoming unable to produce dopamine on its own, leading to a lack of pleasure. People who abuse this medication also experience depression and severe memory loss.
Overuse of Librium or mixing Librium with other drugs or alcohol may result in high blood pressure and respiration issues, with an overdose leading to:
- Blackout
- Extreme drowsiness
- Slowed reflexes
- Low blood pressure
- Coma
- Brain damage
- Death
For this reason, it is imperative never to take more of this drug than has been prescribed to you, never mix this drug with other medications or alcohol, and never take this drug if it was not prescribed to you. If you believe you have taken an overdose of Librium, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Librium Withdrawal
When learning what is Librium, it’s vital to know what it’s like to withdraw from the drug. It may be dangerous to quit this medication without professional help when it comes to Librium addiction treatment. The reasons your doctor decided to prescribe Librium will make those symptoms reappear when quitting Librium. These symptoms may range from mild discomfort and anxiety to feeling unbearable, and with severe addictions, they may become dangerous or even deadly.
The neural pathways in your brain adjust to having a consistent supply of Librium, causing your body to become physically dependent on Librium to feel normal and function properly. If you stop taking the drug abruptly, even if you were using Librium as prescribed for only six to eight weeks, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur.
Withdrawal symptoms of Librium include:
- Sweating
- Rapid heart rate
- Tremors
- High anxiety
- Irritability
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Agitation
- Muscle spasms
- Depersonalization
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
Always ask your doctor for medical advice regarding the adverse effects you may experience when quitting Librium.
Treatment Options for Librium Addiction
When you get treatment for Librium addiction, you need to address the physical and psychological aspects of it. Relapse is likely if you don’t address the psychological aspects and co-occurring disorders like trauma or other mental health disorders that may accompany drug addiction.
Some of the top options for Librium benzo treatments include:
- Medical detox programs
- Inpatient addiction treatment
- Outpatient rehab
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Holistic rehab programs
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Long-term aftercare programs
Treating Librium Addiction at Muse
Muse Treatment Center has a safe and effective medical detox program run by caring and trauma-informed medical professionals. Because benzodiazepines create strong addictions, we use a slow tapering-off method rather than a “cold turkey” method. We will provide you with anxiety-relieving medications to improve your rest and stress levels. You will begin a therapy regimen immediately and dual diagnosis for any mental illness that may present itself at this time. Our caregivers will ensure you are comfortable as the Librium leaves your body. You will be able to speak with counselors to help you deal with unpleasant thoughts and emotions throughout this time.
Because stopping the use of benzos can come with long-term effects like depression, anxiety or insomnia, and intense drug cravings that can last for months after quitting, it is usually recommended that you move directly from detox into an inpatient rehab program. This process is followed by extended outpatient care so that you will have strong support throughout this difficult time.
In rehab, you will have many treatment options, including individual therapy sessions, group therapy, art therapy, recreational programs, educational lectures about addiction, mindfulness, and family therapy sessions. As the effects of Librium can last for months or even years in some cases, it is important to find the underlying causes of addiction, give some relapse prevention tools, and provide strong long-term support. You can always return to a Muse Treatment Center if you need somebody to talk to or feel like you may relapse.
Inpatient Rehab
In inpatient treatment, you will live full-time inside a comfortable, safe, and sober facility for 30 to 90 days, surrounded by peers, with structured and healthy daily living including whole, nutritional food, and an exercise program. Inpatient rehabilitation is beneficial to most clients, as it keeps you physically removed from any temptations and people who may enable your addiction. You will gain a new perspective on your life as you gain recovery skills, and because you will be away from your everyday stress and triggers, you will be able to concentrate on your health and healing without distraction.
Outpatient Rehab
In outpatient treatment, you will live outside of the facility and commute in for therapy, twelve-step program meetings, and case management programs. The two types of outpatient care we offer at Muse Treatment are:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) – a concentrated, full-day program you can attend up to 7 days per week if you want
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) – a flexible and tailored program that can be customized to fit around your work, school, and family schedule, with meetings, appointments, and groups usually on evenings and weekends.
With these options, you will never be alone in your recovery from Librium. We can help you detox safely and move past the cravings while giving you the tools and skills you will need to live a drug-free life. Contact us at (800) 426-1818 today to find out more about what is Librium and how our inpatient residential rehab programs and our outpatient PHP and IOP programs can help overcome the addiction. We will work with you to ensure you get the treatment you need right away.
The post What Is Librium and What Is it Used For? appeared first on Muse Treatment.
source https://musetreatment.com/blog/what-is-librium-and-what-is-it-used-for/
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