Addiction: It’s not just for the bad drugs

Valium, (just one of many benzodiazepam’s) or Diazepam is used millions of people throughout the world. Valium once hailed a wonder drug, created by Leo Sternbach, 97, the US nation’s most-prescribed drug during the 1970s. (Patricia Sullivan Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, October 1, 2005). In the 1960’s in, users were mostly women – approximately 60%, which was to become more of an addictive crutch than an aid.

Many, including myself, thought heroin was bad. Valium is derived from chemical compounds, making them even more addictive than heroin. Withdrawal, for safety reasons, must be done slowly, as any addictive drug. Lois Rogers from the UK Mail Online revealed in 2013 that long term use has been known to cause permanent effects, like memory loss.

Benzodiazepam’s are extremely effective, that is until your body gets used to them, so you keep upping the dosage, but you still feel lousy. I, the writer am in this hell of waiting to detox from Valium, but there’s a wait-list, here in Australia. So I keep taking it, waiting patiently till I can say goodbye after a 10 year affair with the so called, ‘Wonder Drug’. I’ve even been told by some doctors that this Valium is harmless, which it most certainly is not!

Many, but not all doctors need to be educated on the dangers of benzodiazepams. Here is some news that I find alarming: 

Drug fatalities surged in Scotland between 2010 and 2011, increasing from 365 to 438 cases. The drug most frequently found was diazepam (81.4%) followed by methadone (57.3%), heroin/morphine (51.5%), anti-depressants (37.1%) and alcohol (37.1%). In 97% of cases more than one drug was present. Source: National Drug-related Deaths Database.

Drug fatalities are not just happening in Scotland; it is a worldwide problem. It includes diazepam’s, other scripted drugs like narcotics, and recreation drugs in countries such as: The US, Australia, Europe, Iceland, Ireland, Central Asia, Africa, and The UK. Surprisingly it is less in South America, Central America and The Caribbean.

What I’m getting out of the research I’ve done, is that there needs to be more of a punch put into the awareness of addictive effects, temporary effects, and permanent effects. Valium and other benzodiazepam’s were easy to get if you had anxiety or mental problems, but now Australia is starting to crack down on long term use as the addictive side effects come to light. Some are from worst to least: seizures, hallucinations, depression, hyperactivity, incontinence, memory problems, nausea, and loss of libido. Clearly, Valium, the ‘Wonder Drug’ of the 20th Century, is no longer safe, for anyone.

Have you experiences bad side effects from different medication types? Tell us in the comments below…