Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is a benzodiazepine drug used to treat anxiety or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. After using the drug for a long time, one may become dependent and experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly cease using it or reduce the dose.
Like all benzodiazepines, Librium increases the effects of the neurotransmitters in the brain, increasing feelings of pleasure and ecstasy while compromising functions of the central nervous system.
When a user quits taking Librium after a prolonged period of time, anxiety starts developing, and the user will start experiencing a number of symptoms of Librium withdrawal due to the drugs that have been affecting heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, body temperature, and feelings of anxiety.
Without the presence of the drug, the brain might try to get back into balance too quickly which can lead to seizures, severe anxiety, irregular blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate.
What are Librium Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal symptoms for a drug begin as soon as the presence of the drug is no longer in the system. Librium stays active in the body for a few days, and withdrawal usually starts around 24-48 hours after the last drug dose.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the majority of withdrawal symptoms last between a week and a month for benzodiazepine drugs. The general timeline for Librium detox, with common withdrawal symptoms including:
Next Treatment Step:
- Rebound anxiety
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Insomnia
Days 2-7 after the final dose of Librium:
- Tremors
- Muscle tension and aches
- Abdominal cramps and nausea
- Depression and mood swings including difficulties to feel pleasure
- Irregular heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Sweating
- Cravings
Weeks 2-4 after stopping Librium:
- Dysphoria, or trouble feeling pleasure
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depressed mood and suicidal thoughts
- Cravings
Over time, symptoms diminish, but symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia may need customized treatment.
What are the Stages of the Librium Withdrawal Timeline?
As a long-acting benzo drug, Librium’s withdrawal symptoms may not peak for four to seven days and can last up to one to two weeks. Withdrawal symptoms are likely to develop in people who have taken the drug for longer than 3-4 weeks.
Signs and Symptoms of Withdrawal Include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
- High blood pressure
- Abdominal cramps
- Vomiting
- Sweating
Withdrawal symptoms may be more severe in people who have been taking high doses for a long period of time. “Protracted withdrawal symptoms” can last up to 12 months or longer.
Why Should I Detox?
Medical detoxification is just the first step to help users achieve long-term abstinence so that the brain and body can work together properly without the presence of Librium.
Detoxing from chlordiazepoxide at a medically supervised treatment facility such as a detox center, inpatient rehab or outpatient program, creates the optimal safe environment with the support of a compassionate team of medical doctors, psychiatrists, registered nurses, and addiction professionals.
Detoxing from Librium goes hand in hand with choosing the right kind of facility. Ultimately, this decision will depend on any of the following factors:
- How long an individual has been on chlordiazepoxide
- The dosage amounts
- How they’ve been abusing chlordiazepoxide and whether they’ve been abusing an excess prescribed amount or abusing it without a prescription
- Whether they’ve been abusing other drugs simultaneously
- The tendency for one to abuse drug or alcohol addiction problems in the past
Detox and withdrawal can range from user to user which is why it’s important to monitor one’s withdrawal symptoms in detox, and medications can be prescribed to treat any complications that may occur. In this way, one withstands the chance of a full recovery where the chances of relapse are also decreased. Medical detox can help with the process of identifying psychological and emotional triggers to help one learn how to cope with the addiction.
What is the Next Treatment Step?
Librium use disorder requires medical detoxification during which the body is constantly getting rid of toxins and opiate substances that have brought on the substance use disorder.
Medications can certainly reduce withdrawal symptoms during detox. However, to ensure a successful and full recovery with medication-assisted detoxes, professionals can ensure that a patient is supervised for any kind of dangerous complication that may arise during the medical detoxification. Doctors, nurses, and staff will do an intake to determine one’s level of Librium addiction and health needs. Detox at Arete Recovery also includes FDA-approved medications to limit withdrawals to prevent relapse.
Individual and Group Counseling: Behavioral Therapy
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), APA are a big part of coming clean a drug addiction. In therapy, users will learn how to replace drugs by identifying other activities and drug resistance skills, motivation and problem-solving skills where users learn how to function in both family and community settings. Therapists typically teach problem-solving abilities as well as ways to identify triggers and motivations for taking the drug.
Drug Rehabilitation
Treating a substance abuse disorder like Librium may also involve getting admitted to an inpatient or residential program. Arete Recovery’s team of specialists will recommend the right program based on the detoxification process and the severity of one’s case and symptoms. Generally speaking, an inpatient recovery program extends for 45 days and is more suited for a short-term recovery period.When addiction is more severe, one might be recommended for a residential recovery program for a long-term recovery period lasting anywhere from 60-90+ days.
Both of these programs help minimize the number of treatments which can be quite intense. On the other hand, a “resident” learns important coping mechanisms that can ultimately help with preventing relapse and better equipped for long-term recovery and the transitioning to an outpatient program.
Outpatient
Beyond the walls of the inpatient clinic and residential recovery, is a new, clean world that can be intimidating for the user who is relearning how to navigate life without addiction and drugs for the first time. This is where an intensive outpatient program is designed to provide ongoing counseling as the user navigates life.
