Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) addiction
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Last Updated:
August 8th, 2023
Librium is classed as a benzodiazepine drug and is regularly prescribed to treat anxiety and insomnia. With a staggering twelve million benzodiazepine prescriptions issued per year, 1.5 million people are dealing with benzodiazepine and Librium addiction in the UK. This proves you are not alone, as many people are receiving treatment for Librium addiction in the UK.
On this page, we will define what Librium addiction is, how Librium addiction develops, the health risks involved and identify the best first step of recovery.
What is Librium?
Prescription drug addiction is a widespread problem in the UK, and benzodiazepine drugs such as Librium are no exception, with the potential for Librium abuse relatively high. Used primarily to treat conditions such as anxiety disorder, Librium has sedative effects; these effects also make the medication suitable for treating insomnia.
Librium brand and street names
Librium is a brand name for the generic drug chlordiazepoxide. Below are some more names that the substance goes by:
- Poxi
- Sonimen
- Libritabs
- Helogaphen
- Mitran
- Radepur
- Klopoxid
- Tropium
- Risolid
- Elenium
- Angirex
- Silibrin
- Multum
- Nerve pills
- Blues
- Blue bombs
- Ruffies
- Tranks
- Downers
Librium addiction and abuse
Librium abuse
If you consume more Librium than your doctor prescribes, or you consume someone else’s prescribed medication, it is classified as Librium abuse.
Librium dependence
Physical dependence can occur with Librium abuse or with long-term Librium use, even when the drug is taken exactly as prescribed. Librium dependence means your body becomes dependent on it to operate normally.
Librium addiction
Librium addiction is a psychological dependence on the drug in order to feel stable; this usually stems from underlying issues or trauma, as people will use the drug’s effects as an escape from reality. Librium addiction causes a compulsion to use the drug even when knowing that doing so will cause negative side effects. Addiction is a mental condition outside of your control which requires medical assistance.
Librium’s mind altering effects
Librium is designed to enhance the brain’s production of its GABA (gamma-amino-butyric acid) neurotransmitter. GABA is the brain’s natural inhibitory chemical responsible for calming down other excitatory chemicals such as glutamate. When the brain is not producing enough GABA, it can lead to an imbalance which results in feelings of nervousness, irritability, agitation, and anxiety.
Librium’s role is to encourage the brain to produce enough GABA to maintain a balance and thus relieve these symptoms. When abusing Librium, your brain develops a dependency on Librium to stimulate your neurotransmitters. This is a slippery slope which can lead to Librium addiction.
The development of Librium abuse and addiction
Librium addiction primarily occurs when you self-medicate. You will naturally build a tolerance to any drug if you continue to use it, responsibly or not, over a long period. Once you have built a tolerance, you will feel inclined to increase your dosage, as the prescribed
amount loses euphoric effects.
It is of utmost importance to consult your medical professional before increasing your dosage, as pharmaceutical drugs can lead to addiction, just as any other illegal drug.
Health risks of Librium addiction
Librium dependence
Librium dependence can occur rapidly, and many people struggle to function without it after just a few weeks of regular use. Dependence usually begins with increased tolerance to the effects of the drug.
When you become tolerant of Librium, you will find that it is no longer providing the relief it once did. It might be the case, for example, that you are less calm than you were when you first started to take it, or it does not have the sedative effects, and you are struggling to sleep as well as you were.
Naturally, you might find this frustrating and so might start looking for ways to rectify the situation. It could be that your solution may be to increase the amount you are taking. Doing so without consulting your doctor can be dangerous, though, especially if you are already on the maximum recommended dose.
Short-term health risks of Librium abuse
Aside from the sedative effects of Librium, there are quite a few other short-term side effects that can occur when this medication is abused. These include:
- dizziness
- nausea
- constipation
- vomiting
- drowsiness
- headache
- blurred vision
- dry mouth
- weakness
- low blood pressure
- slowed breathing
- lack of coordination
- slurred speech
- confusion
- trouble concentrating
- memory problems
- depression
Long-term health risks of Librium abuse
If you develop an addiction to Librium, you are likely to experience problems within your relationships as family members and friends struggle to understand your erratic behaviour. You could end up losing your job, your loved ones, your wealth, and your home if you do not get professional help.
Long-term health signs and symptoms include:
- Significant cognitive impairment
- Lack of concentration
- Nausea
- Gradually increased tolerance
As well as the impact that addiction can have on your life, you should also consider the fact that long-term use of benzodiazepine drugs such as Librium can lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic use of such medications could impair cognitive function and affect memory.
Your next step
Librium addiction moves fast and can prove fatal if left untreated. If you recognise any of the warning signs of the Librium addiction listed on this page, we advise you to start the recovery process by attending a Librium detox and treatment programme, as recovery can prove difficult without a support group. Please know that you are not alone and that professional help at Librium rehab is available to help you make a full recovery when you are ready to take that step.