Diazepam and Alcohol: The Dangers, Effects, and Treatment

Whether it’s prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or alcohol, many people find themselves struggling with substance abuse disorder. They don’t seek treatment because they either can’t find the type of treatment they need or don’t have the funds to cover the costs. 

Sivana Bali does not operate that way. We offer world-class treatment at an affordable rate. We’re not just a normal inpatient treatment centre, either. Our treatment facility is located in Canggu, Bali and is more akin to a resort than a rehab centre. Amenities aside, you can rest assured that you’ll find the high standard of care needed to overcome your addiction.

What is Diazepam and How is It Related to Alcohol?

Diazepam is a prescription drug mainly used to treat anxiety disorders, seizures, and muscle disorders. It is a benzodiazepine that works by enhancing the effect of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the brain. This leads to a calming effect on the central nervous system. It can also be used to sedate people for medical procedures, and people take diazepam to treat insomnia and conditions such as restless leg syndrome.

Diazepam carries a high risk of dependence and addiction. As such, it should only be taken under medical supervision or per a doctor’s prescription. A common brand name for diazepam is valium.

Although alcohol is a drug, you don’t need to find a dealer or get a prescription. You can buy it at a liquor shop or even order it online; it’s freely available. People drink alcohol as part of their day. They have champagne when they celebrate; they have a pint or two when they spend time with their mates or wine with their food. Some people even use alcohol to cook their food. To most people, alcohol use is just par for the course.

Alcohol is a depressant, and much like benzodiazepines, alcohol also affects the neurotransmitter GABA, and it’s not normally recommended to mix Valium and alcohol. In fact, mixing alcohol with any prescription medication is not recommended.

While alcohol is legal, it’s also an incredibly addictive substance. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are common with people who are too fond of their liquor.

Why Do People Mix Valium and Alcohol?

There are several reasons why people would mix valium and alcohol. These reasons can include:

Enhancing the Effects

One of the reasons people mix alcohol with valium is that taking them together can enhance their respective effects. However, this can be dangerous because they are both depressants, and their enhanced effects can lead to serious medical consequences such as respiratory depression.

Self-Medication

Another reason that people take the two substances together is that they’re using the substances to self-medicate. They may drink alcohol while taking Valium because they’re using the medication for anxiety, and they believe that the alcohol will help them relax further.

Unaware of Risk

People may mix the two substances together because they may not realise that mixing them together can be dangerous.

Addiction

Conversely, some people may be fully aware of the risks of mixing the two substances together but still take Valium with alcohol anyway because they want to achieve a stronger high.

Side Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Diazepam

Diazepam can intensify the effects of alcohol and vice-versa. When they’re taken together, a person can experience loss of motor function, reduced coordination, and lapses in memory. This can increase the chances that a person will hurt themselves or someone else by accident.

Because the effects for both are enhanced, a person can experience a more potent high when they take the two substances together, which can create a greater risk for addiction and overdose. Both substances can also suppress the ability to breathe, so combining both can be life-threatening even without overdosing.

Dangers of Mixing Valium with Alcohol

The effects of mixing diazepam and alcohol can have some dangerous side effects. These side effects can include:

Increased Sedation

Because both Valium and alcohol are central nervous system depressants, they both have sedative effects on the human body. Taking the two together can increase their respective depressant effects, which can lead to drowsiness, impaired coordination, and confusion. This can increase the risk of accidents, falling over, and injuries.

Respiratory Depression

The combined sedative effects can lead to respiratory depression, which is a condition in which the breathing becomes slow and shallow. This can lead to oxygen deprivation and cardiac arrest. This is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical intervention from healthcare professionals.

Increased Risk of Overdose and Addiction

Mixing alcohol and Valium can increase the risk of an overdose. Because both substances can increase each other’s effect, the combination can have a profound impact on the central nervous system. Symptoms of an overdose can include slurred speech, extreme sedation, confusion, the aforementioned respiratory depression, and coma.

Using the two substances together can also increase the risk of developing an addiction.

Liver and Cardiovascular Issues

Individually, both substances can profoundly impact the liver and cardiovascular system. Valium and alcohol are both metabolised by the liver. Taking the two together can put an extra strain on it and increase the risk of permanent damage.

Mixing diazepam and alcohol together can also lead to changes in blood pressure and heart rate irregularities and increase the risk of long-term heart problems. These effects can be especially pronounced in those with preexisting liver and heart conditions.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Diazepam

When a person goes through withdrawal from alcohol, they can experience a wide range of withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be mild, or they can be life-threatening. People can be prescribed Diazepam during alcohol withdrawal to manage some of these symptoms.

A person can experience anxiety, agitation, depression, tremors, and seizures when they are detoxing from alcohol. Diazepam is used to manage the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal to make the process more comfortable for the patient and to keep them calm.

Typically, the drug is administered with a tapering effect. The first dose is larger than the second dose, and the second dose is larger than the one after that, and so on and so forth. This is to prevent symptoms from coming back or getting worse.

Withdrawal is almost always an uncomfortable experience. Patients feel their cravings, and they become frustrated when they are unable to satisfy them. 

Understanding and Addressing Alcohol Addiction

There are many types of substance use disorders, but an addiction to alcohol can be tough to beat. As mentioned before, it’s freely available, and the only restriction is that you have to be of age, and that age, under certain circumstances like being on premises with a liquor license or accompanied by a parent or guardian, can be as young as 16 or 17, depending on the country and their local laws.

It’s also a socially acceptable substance to consume, and no one bats an eye at it like they would, something like cocaine or heroin. So, not only is it easy to become an alcoholic, the temptations to relapse are omnipresent. So not only is it relatively easy to start an alcohol addiction, but getting the better of one can be difficult.

Seeking Addiction Treatment for Diazepam and Alcohol Abuse

People can become alcoholics for a number of reasons. Some become alcoholics because they use it as a social lubricant and need it for liquid courage. Others turn to drinking to cope with stress. Whatever the case, alcoholism is a chronic disease that compels a person to drink. They may want to stop, they may try to stop, but ultimately, they won’t be able to.

It’s easy to understand why people become addicted to diazepam. Many people are prescribed Valium to treat an illness that they have. Anxiety can be greatly detrimental to daily life. Being constantly anxious means worrying over things that either haven’t happened or are unlikely to happen. 

But the brain doesn’t care about statistics. It’s going to be anxious regardless of reality. So they take the medication that they’re prescribed, but they become dependent on it, and they find themselves unable to function without it.

Rehab Treatment for Alcohol and Valium

At our centre in Bali, our highly professional treatment team uses personalised, evidence-based modalities to give our guests the highest level of care. 

Medical Detox for Substance Abuse

A vital part of our substance abuse treatment is our medical detox. Any withdrawal process should ideally be done under medical supervision. Not only can medical personnel provide emotional support, they can render aid if necessary. Most people do not have medical training and cannot respond adequately should an emergency occur.

Rehabilitation for Alcohol and Diazepam Abuse

Sivana Bali offers treatment for both alcoholism and prescription drug addiction. We offer comprehensive, personalised rehab treatment for both using evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) along with holistic treatment programs like yoga and meditation to help people beat their addictions.

Long-term Recovery and Avoiding Relapse

Addiction recovery is a lifelong battle. Ideally, someone with an addiction checks into inpatient rehab, completes the program, and then goes back out into the world and never touches what they were addicted to ever again. But Sivana Bali is all too aware that staying sober can be a struggle. This is why we offer an aftercare programme so patients can continue to receive support to help them avoid relapsing.