It is this excruciating level of anxiety and/or recurrent panic attacks that sends people running to their physician to demand something, anything, that will make it go away. Diazepam, also known as Valium, does exactly that; it makes the anxiety and panic dissipate and replaces it with a delicious calm drowsiness.

Valium acts on the neurotransmitter, GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) in the brain to depress or slow brain activity. Initial usage causes sleepiness and a lack of co-ordination. Further doses invariably lead to a level of tolerance where the body becomes used to the presence of the substance and needs higher doses in order to match the effect of the initial dosage. This soon leads to physical dependence.

Now the person has simply exchanged one negative situation for another. Psychological dependence accompanies the physical dependence so that abuse becomes inevitable. When anxiety arises the person reaches for the Valium. When the previous dosage fails to produce the desired results it is increased and before the hapless victim knows where they are they find themselves in the arms of an addiction that requires serious attention.

The NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) warns that Valium should only be discontinued under medical supervision. There is a strong possibility of dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Valium slows brain activity. Sudden deprivation may result in a brain rebound with a potential for seizures.

Valium should never be combined with other medications or alcohol. The effect can slow the heart and respiration with possible fatal consequences.
 

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