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Librium

Effects Of Using Librium

Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) is a sedative-hypnotic Benzodiazepine for treating anxiety and insomnia. The effects of Librium can result in dependence and overdose, but professional rehab is available to help anyone with a Benzodiazepine use disorder.

What Are the Effects Of Using Librium?

Librium is a prescription medication used for treating anxiety disorders, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal. Librium is the generic name for Chlordiazepoxide, a sedative-hypnotic Benzodiazepine. The effects of Librium are similar to the effects of Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan. A proper dose of Librium will relieve a person’s anxiety and help them sleep through the night. Like other Benzodiazepines, Librium induces relaxation and drowsiness by amplifying the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter which calms the central nervous system by inhibiting interactions among neurons. Anxiety and insomnia often result from hyperactivity in the brain.

The effects of Librium typically begin within twenty minutes to one hour of taking the medication. The appropriate dose of Librium for each patient will vary depending on each person’s age, body mass, and severity of anxiety and restlessness. Since the drug is fast-acting, it poses risks for abuse. Some people who do not suffer from a diagnosed anxiety disorder use Librium to relieve stress or feel sedated, even though they do not need to take it. In this way, Librium can function as a recreational drug. While Librium can be a helpful medication,  it may be the source of an overdose or a substance use disorder if used improperly.

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The Side Effects Of Librium

When someone uses Librium, they may experience one or several side effects. Most side effects of Librium are not dangerous and will subside within hours. In rare cases, the side effects of Librium can be harmful. The common side effects of Librium include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Muscle weakness
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Slurred speech

The more uncommon and serious Librium sides effects are severe drowsiness, fever, jaundice, memory loss, and thoughts of suicide. These effects of Librium are not normal, so if you see them occur, please seek medical help. Paradoxical disinhibition is another serious potential side effect of Librium and other Benzodiazepines. Occasionally, people who use Benzodiazepines can become excessively aggressive and excitable. This state of disinhibition is “paradoxical” because it results from using medications that are normally inhibitory. Paradoxical disinhibition can be dangerous for both the Librium patient and others around them.

The Symptoms Of A Librium Overdose

A Librium overdose is possible when someone takes too much Librium or takes it with alcohol or other Benzodiazepines. People who use Librium without a prescription or abuse it just to relax are also at risk for overdose. Since an overdose can be life-threatening, it is important to know the signs of an overdose if you or someone you know is using Librium. The symptoms of a Librium overdose are:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Blue lips and fingernails
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Fainting
  • Impaired reflexes
  • Intense drowsiness
  • Irregular or rapid heartbeat
  • Lightheadedness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Rapid eye movement
  • Seizures
  • Tremors
  • Troubled or shallow breathing

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Librium Dependence And Withdrawal

A prescription for Librium is supposed to be a short-term solution to anxiety and insomnia, but someone who uses the medication could become dependent on it to stay calm or sleep. Dependence on Benzodiazepines, including Librium, results from the body becoming tolerant to the effects of Benzodiazepines. Tolerance is often the result of someone misusing Benzodiazepines and taking them outside the limits of a prescription, although it can occur when a person follows a prescription as well.

Librium dependence occurs when the body becomes accustomed to operating with Librium in its systems. If a person with Librium dependence reduces their dosage of Librium or stops taking it entirely , they will experience withdrawal symptoms.  In severe cases, Librium dependence can escalate into Librium addiction if a person begins to crave Librium, experiences Librium withdrawal, and uses the drug compulsively despite negative consequences.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal is a well-documented condition which can prevent people from recovering from Librium addiction. The symptoms of Librium withdrawal include:

  • Agitation
  • Muscle spasms
  • Sadness and depression
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Panic attacks
  • Rebound anxiety and insomnia
  • Sadness and depression
  • Sweating
  • Tremors

In severe cases, an individual can also experience psychosis, seizures, or even death. These extreme symptoms are most likely in cases of severe addictions and when someone attempts to go through withdrawal without medical supervision. For this reason, medically-supervised detox is highly recommended.

A Librium use disorder threatens a person’s health and wellbeing. A person with Librium addiction will struggle to enjoy life without taking Librium. As a result, they will suffer persistent cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These conditions can compel people to act irresponsibly and break laws, such as by driving after taking Librium, acquiring illegal Librium pills, and combining Librium with alcohol or other Benzodiazepines. A Librium use disorder might ultimately result in a Librium overdose, a serious medical emergency. Like all forms of addiction, Librium addictions takes so much away and poses tremendous risks.

Get Answers To Your Questions About Rehab For Addiction

A prescription for Librium certainly comes with risks. If you or someone you know is using Librium for the wrong reasons or struggling to live life without it, today is the day to reach out for help. There are hundreds of rehab centers which help people overcome Benzodiazepine use disorders everyday. A typical treatment program for Librium addiction will involve detox and therapy. Professional treatment in a rehab program can make the difference between overcoming Librium dependence and relapsing back into Benzodiazepine addiction.

If you know it’s time for rehab, either for yourself or a loved one, we know it can be challenging to start the process. Luckily, there is help available. Please contact a treatment provider today to learn more about rehab options.

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