Valium addiction question

[Tothelight]

My son is in his mid 30's, and has been addicted to Valium for over 15 years.  He is now back to taking Percoset, after having been off it for over a year.  I'm writing for the truth about whether or not a person can ever go off Valium, or if he will have to use it as a maintenance drug the rest of his life, which he insists.  He went through detox about a year ago, and went back to taking Valium due to panic attacks.   He is now fully addicted to both drugs again, dropping out, and very depressed.  He plans on going to detox in the next week or two, but has not committed to completing a rehab program.  I am encouraging him to go to both detox and stay for a rehab program this time, to increase his possibility for success. He insisted on leaving early last time, and I don't feel he gave himself a fair chance.

I am writing to find out whether or not he will ever be able to be drug free, or if he will have to always be on Valium.  I am familiar with the 12 step program through AA with another family member, but am not a user or knowledegable about these drugs.  I love my son dearly, and will do anything to help him get off drugs.   I have offered him to stay with us for a few months afterward, since he has lost just about everything he has and needs to rebuild his life.  Please let me know the facts, and how I can best support my son.

Thank you in advance for your time and caring, I don't know who else to ask to find the truth, and appreciate your consideration.

Concerned  and hurting Mom

[Tothelight]

Wow!  This is exciting to hear others are able to conquor Valium addiction!  I am going to pass these comments along to my son, to see it can be done.   I believe he has the will and desire, and now will have hope because you and others have shared he can overcome this horrible bondage to drugs.  I am saddened to find so many are addicted to prescription drugs, and had no idea of how widespread the problem until finding out his problems.  Seems the medical community needs to also take responsibility along with their patients, to avoid serious problems.

Thank you again for sharing, I know God is on our site and will continue to battle for your life and his.

P.S. You are not a clamity, you are a beautiful person--don't ever forget it!

[lostmarbles]

Oh thank you so much !! I know it's terribly hard to have a child on such medications... my mummy was the same with me... didn't know what to do for me... I was on xanax for 3 years and so she suffered with me I'm sure.... part of the problem of coming off of benzodiazapines is the fear ...... valium is from the same family of benzos as xanax which was my addiction... again given to me to alleviate sleep and mild panic attacks... unbeknown to me an addiction became part of my life in very little time...

I am now totally medication free.. I can tell you that it wasn't the easiest thing I have ever done.. in fact the hardest !! BUT the benefits have been almighty.. and there is no going back !! welcome here.. it's a great place to be and really informative.. please feel free to send me a message whenever you would like to... thank you for your lovely words..I do hope your son gets better.. and again I wish you both lots of love and luck xoxoxox

[Clamity2]

Yes a person can get off valium. In fact I have a friend that had taken valium and other drugs and when I got clean from opiates she decided to get on the band wagon with me. Her family thought she had lost her marbles because she was rambling and other crazy behaviors. But she has been off them for about 2 months and the difference in her is amazing. She doesn't stay in bed and hide from life. Also she doesnt fall down often like she had been.
God Bless.
It can be done if the person wants to get clean.

[Tothelight]

I just found your journal, answering some of the comments in the last message--sorry!  I will read it carefully now, and appreciate your honesty and caring.

You are a precious and valuable person, don't ever give up on yourself!

[Tothelight]

Thank you for your quick response, it is good to hear from you.  I am new to the forum, and don't know your term "benzos," or how to access your journal.  I'm interested in learning more, please advise!

Give yourself a big hug from me, thank you for your love and generous support!

[Tothelight]

Thanks for taking the time to write, it is comforting to know there are others out there who care and listen.  My son tells me it is nearly impossible to get off of Valium, but I have hope for him and will never give up fighting to get back his life.

I wish you the best, and thank you again for your encouragement.

[lostmarbles]

Magi is right in the respect that your son may feel more dependent than ever on Valium as it is a benzo... Benzos are in the habit of making the user suffer with more anxiety attacks and stress etc than they did before they took them...therefore the prospect of convincing yourself that you have to stay on them forever is high... If you go to my journal there are many useful web addresses specifically for benzos... they will tell you how it makes the user feel having taken them for a while.. they are hugely informative...

You sound like a fantastic mother wanting to do right by her son and extremely supportive... I wish you and your son well and I hope he gets the help needed... much love xoxoxo

[flmagi]

Yes, it is possible to be drug free forever. It's deffinately not easy but it is doable. As far as the Valium goes, he probably needs to get off it and be off it for a long while to see if he really has legitmate problems that would need the valium. Sometimes useing these drugs can cause panic attacks, depression and anxiaty. They will tend to get worse while detoxing and awhile after. So it will take time for the body to adjust itself. 15 years is a long time to be on Valium. What he may have needed 15 years ago may not be the case now. Time will tell.
Good luck.