Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) Addiction And Abuse

What Is Librium (Chlordiazepoxide)?

Librium is the brand name of chlordiazepoxide, a benzodiazepine, and is used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, muscle spasms, and as a sedative before surgery. The brand name Librium has been discontinued in the United States, but the generic form is still available.

Librium is a long-acting benzodiazepine with a long half-life, meaning that many people won’t feel the effects for a few hours, and it can stay in the body for a few days to a week.

It is used to treat short-term anxiety symptoms and to treat and prevent alcohol withdrawal by reducing the risk of seizure, managing agitation, and soothing anxiety. It works on the GABA receptors in the brain to calm down a hyperexcitable nervous system during alcohol withdrawal. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts on the brain to induce a state of relaxation and calmness; hence, benzodiazepines such as Librium are known as central nervous system (CNS) depressants.

Librium and other benzodiazepines also act on the brain’s natural reward system, triggering surges of dopamine, creating a sense of calmness and euphoria. Due to these effects, it has potential for abuse and addiction.

Is Librium Addictive?

Yes, Librium can be addictive. Librium is a schedule IV regulated drug as classified by the Controlled Substances Act because it has accepted medical use but also comes with a potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.

People misuse Librium for many reasons, including:

• Many people misuse Librium to achieve a state of calmness and euphoria.
• Some people start abusing Librium by upping their dosage because they are no longer experiencing the desired effects.
• Others may misuse Librium to purposefully get high or to enhance the effects of other drugs, such as alcohol or other benzodiazepines.
• Librium is also misused to curb the effects of harder drugs, like cocaine.

Even if Librium is taken exactly as prescribed, it still has potential for addiction, but the risk of addiction is higher when people misuse the drug. Those with underlying mental health conditions are also at a greater risk of becoming addicted to Librium.

Like all benzodiazepines, it is recommended that Librium be prescribed only for the short term because with each dose, there is an increased risk of tolerance. Tolerance occurs when a person needs a higher dose to achieve the same desired effects. Tolerance is a normal physiological adaptation that occurs in the body over time, and people who develop a tolerance don’t necessarily have an addiction. However, it is a risk factor for addiction.

Once a person develops a tolerance to Librium and needs a higher dose, they are at an increased risk for dependence. Dependence occurs when the brain and body become adapted to Librium and need it to function normally. When Librium is abruptly stopped or drastically reduced, the person is at high risk of withdrawal.

Even taking the prescribed dosage of Librium for just six to eight weeks can result in withdrawal when cutting back or ceasing use. The Librium withdrawal process can be very uncomfortable and is best managed by a medical professional. Even worse, some of the withdrawal symptoms of Librium can be dangerous or even deadly. Dependence, like tolerance, does not necessarily mean the person has an addiction, but it is a warning sign.

Signs Of Librium Addiction

Like other benzodiazepines, Librium is a habit-forming, psychotropic drug. Signs of Librium addiction include the following:

• Doctor shopping to get more Librium prescriptions
• Misusing Librium by taking higher dosages than recommended
• Lying to family members about Librium use
• Resorting to illegal methods to obtain Librium, such as forging prescriptions
• Making Librium use the focus of their day
• Neglecting normal responsibilities or relationships
• Wanting to quit or cut down on Librium but not being able to do so
• Struggling financially due to the cost of getting Librium
• Experiencing Librium withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit
• A need for higher doses to feel the effects of Librium

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Side Effects Of Librium

Because Librium is a benzodiazepine and acts as a CNS depressant, it comes with side effects, even when taken as prescribed. Misusing Librium can increase these side effects. Side effects of Librium include:

• Slurred speech
• Short-term impaired memory
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Poor coordination
• Addiction
• Dependence and withdrawal
• Tolerance
• Overdose

Overdose symptoms include:

• Rapid and shallow breathing
• Extreme drowsiness
• Bluish lips or fingertips
• Uncoordinated movements
• Difficult to wake up
• Slowed reflexes
• Confusion

Experiencing an overdose from benzodiazepines alone is rare. However, the risk for overdose increases significantly when benzos are combined with other CNS depressants like alcohol and opioids.

Why Is Librium More Addictive For Some?

There are multiple risk factors for Librium addiction, meaning that some people are more at risk than others.

• Common biological risk factors include genetics, a positive family history of addiction, the presence of any co-occurring mental health disorders, and a past history of substance abuse.
• Some environmental risk factors include a history of trauma, unstable home environment, peer pressure, and young age at first use.

The risk of addiction to Librium increases the more risk factors an individual has, which is why Librium can be more addictive for a person with multiple risk factors compared to a person without any risk factors.

Street Names For Librium

Most of these terms are general street names for benzodiazepines, with only a few specific to Librium. Common street names for Librium include:

• Downers
• Tranqs
• Bennies
• Benzos
• L (specific to Librium)
• Libbies (specific to Librium)
• Blue Bombs
• Normies

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Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) For Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Long-acting benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide, are the mainstay of treatment for alcohol withdrawal because they work on the same GABA receptors in the brain as alcohol. As a result, they decrease symptoms of withdrawal (headache, tremors, nausea, vomiting, and in some cases, seizures). This cross tolerance means that during withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines can serve as a substitute for alcohol by imitating its effects in the brain, while also minimizing and even preventing dangerous alcohol withdrawals.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) can be extremely painful and cause seizures, restlessness, hallucinations, nightmares, heart palpitations, and vomiting, among other unpleasant effects. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can even be fatal. Librium can help reduce the impact of AWS in several ways.

How Is Librium Addiction Treated?

People who are at risk of Librium withdrawal should seek medical attention because withdrawal from any benzodiazepine can be dangerous and lethal, which is why detox is the first step in treating Librium addiction.

A medically supervised detox for Librium withdrawal is centered around a Librium taper. A taper involves gradually decreasing the dose of Librium or other benzos to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox also reduces the chances of relapsing after detox is completed. The length of detox can vary and last several days to weeks, depending on the dosage and the seriousness of the Librium dependency.

The decision to undergo inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction depends on several factors, such as the severity of the addiction, the presence of a dual diagnosis, current medical conditions, the individual’s support network, and insurance coverage. Regardless of the level of care or treatment, psychotherapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy are used to address any underlying triggers associated with Librium addiction.

Find A Treatment Center Today

Librium addiction can be difficult to beat, but you don’t have to do it on your own. Librium treatment programs offer medically assisted detox to make withdrawal more comfortable, increasing the chance for sobriety. For more information on Librium addiction treatment, visit our rehab directory or contact a treatment provider today.