This article has been medically reviewed by Dr Robert Lefever, a world-leading addictions specialist.

Librium is a brand name for Chlordiazepoxide which is is a benzodiazepine medication used for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal and insomnia. Chlordiazepoxide can find this medication with other brand names like A-poxide, Poxi, Lygen, Mitran, Librelease, etc. It is a short-term medication with a high risk of dependency. It works as a tranquilliser and has a hypnotic effect on the user. Therefore, it is not recommended to use as a long-term anxiety medication.

Chlordiazepoxide has a high chance of potential misuse or abuse. Today we will look into more detail about this common drug, its risk factors and addiction to Librium.

Warning: It is essential to consult with a medical professional before starting, stopping or changing the dosage of Librium. For proper management of withdrawal symptoms, you should seek help from the rehab centre. In addition, you can contact our addiction expert at Help4Addiction to assess the withdrawal risk and start recovery today.

What is Librium?

Librium or chlordiazepoxide is a common anxiety medication under the benzodiazepines drug class. It is also a psychotropic drug used for acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms and as a premed. Librium works by releasing a calming chemical in the brain called gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). It acts directly on the brain and central nervous system.

Doctors recommend Librium only if the benefits are greater than the risks. Librium is a highly addictive medication, and patients can quickly develop dependence. It is not recommended for the elderly and children due to its extensive half-life. It should also be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. For those with dependence or addiction to substances or alcohol also shouldn’t use Librium.

Furthermore, Librium shouldn’t be used if you have:

• Allergy to the benzodiazepine medication
• Ataxia
• Sleep apnea
• Intoxication with psychoactive substances or alcohol
• Severe hypoventilation
• Glaucoma
• Depression
• Liver or kidney disease

Warning: If you have used opioid medication, other substances or alcohol, using Librium can cause severe reactions such as slow breathing, lack of control or death.

Side effects of Librium

Although it is rare to develop serious side effects, there is always some risk. Therefore, it is best to consult with your doctor about the situation.

Some of the side effects of Librium are as follows:

• Drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Constipation
• Alteration in sexual drive or decreases libido
• Difficulty in muscle coordination and motor controls
• Menstrual irregularities
• Yellow skin and eyes
• Liver problems
• Swelling
• Menstrual irregularities
• Slurred speech, etc.

Some of the rare but severe side effects are:

• Confusion
• An extreme change in mood (aggression, anger, sadness, etc.)
• Suicidal thoughts
• Difficulty in walking and movement (weakened balance)
• Disturbance in sleep
• Restlessness
• Sore mouth
• Fever or chills
• Tremors
• Dyskinesia
• Pain and difficulty while urinating (or dark urine)
• Stomach pain
• Impaired memory and learning capacity

Warning: If these side effects persist, please get in touch with medical professionals immediately.

Overdose

Any benzodiazepine medication has a high risk of overdose if not careful. In addition, it can quickly react with other drugs or substances and shouldn’t be used while consuming alcohol. Overdose from Librium is a medical emergency, and you should call the emergency services immediately.

Some of the symptoms of Librium overdose are as follows:

• Confusion
• Hypoventilation
• Hypotension
• Somnolence
• Unconsciousness or coma
• Impaired motor control and reflexes
• Impaired vision and speech

Librium Dependence or Addiction

Benzodiazepine is considered one of the most addictive drug classes. Although chlordiazepoxide is a helpful medication, using it without consulting a doctor can put the patient at risk of addiction, misuse or overdose. In addition, chronic use of Librium can quickly develop a tolerance in the user. Thus, the medication is not practical for long-term use.

Chlordiazepoxide has a high potential to create a physical dependence on the users. While trying to quit abruptly, users are encountered with a severe withdrawal syndrome. The withdrawal symptoms are somewhat similar to alcohol and barbiturates. Symptoms are complicated to manage and shouldn’t be done alone. In some cases, the symptoms can be fatal.

The severe withdrawal symptoms occur if the medication has been used at a high dosage for a long time. However, some withdrawal symptoms can also appear with short-term usage on a standard dose.

Some of the signs of Librium addiction are:

• Visiting multiple doctors to obtain the medication
• Consuming more medication than prescribed by the doctor
• Increase in usage, using it as a coping mechanism
• Obsessive thoughts
• Mixing it with other medication and substances to increase the effect
• Disturbance in sleep
• Extreme mood swings
• Muscle spasm; lack of coordination and strength
• Buying Librium illegally
• Financial issues caused by purchasing the drug
• Lying to closed ones about the medication use
• Neglecting social obligations and responsibilities
• Avoiding social occasions or gatherings
• Engaging in risky behaviours like driving while intoxicated
• Engaging in criminal activity
• Loss of interest in hobbies or social activities which were once enjoyable

Withdrawal from Librium

The withdrawal symptoms can arise if users abruptly quit the medication. Even during medical detoxification, some symptoms may appear after two or three days. Therefore, it shouldn’t be discontinued without consultation with medical professionals first. Withdrawal symptoms of Librium are somewhat similar to withdrawal from alcohol or barbiturates. The severity depends on the dosage and period of Librium usage.

Some of the common withdrawal symptoms of Librium are:

• Tremor
• Abdominal pain and cramp
• Muscle spasm and weakness
• Insomnia
• Dysphoria
• Convulsions
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Excessive sweat, etc.

Treatment for Librium addiction

Similar to other benzodiazepine medications, Librium has a high risk of dependency. The most important thing is to taper off the dosage slowly and not abruptly. For mild dependence, recovery can be made with short rehabilitation and therapies. Whereas, if the medication is consumed at high-dosage for the long-term, then a complete treatment is necessary. Comprehensive treatment includes medical detoxification followed by rehabilitation. To know your ideal treatment plan, contact us to conduct a full assessment.

Detoxification

The first stage of treatment is complete medical detoxification. The body must get rid of all the chemicals in the system and start to acclimatise to sobriety. During detoxification, the medical professionals will be taking care of it around the clock. The dosage will be gradually decreased for safe withdrawal. Sometimes, medications are also used to manage severe withdrawal symptoms and reduce the pain.

Rehabilitation

When full detoxification is complete and the withdrawal symptoms are appearing less, then rehabilitation is started. This stage is as crucial as detoxification. During this time, you will receive various therapeutic treatments like Cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT), Contingency Management (CM), Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), etc. In addition, the patients will learn various tools and techniques that will help manage the craving, prevent relapses, and get back to life.

There are two types of rehab patients can choose from—inpatient and outpatient rehab. Inpatient rehab is best suited for patients with moderate to severe dependency. It is also best because the rehab environment provides positive reinforcement. Living with peers with similar struggles is also a strong motivating factor in inpatient rehab.

For those with mild to moderate symptoms, outpatient rehab is recommended with regular therapies. However, it is also necessary to have a positive recovery environment in the house with care and support.

Conclusion

Librium should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks of dependency. The tolerance to it can proliferate out of control. If not careful, the addiction to chlordiazepoxide can quickly spiral out of control.

If you think you may have a dependency on Librium, contact a medical professional or addiction expert immediately and take an assessment. If you have a dependency, quitting cold turkey can be dangerous and even fatal. We at Help4addiciton use evidence-based treatment methods to ensure the long-term recovery of our patients. We offer both residential and outpatient rehab services. Please feel free to contact us.

Sources:

1. Librium (Chlordiazepoxide): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning
2. drug monograph Librium Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing
3. Librium (Chlordiazepoxide): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning
4. Librium Uses, Side Effects & Warnings
5. Chlordiazepoxide

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