Valium is a prescription anxiety medication.
It’s related to benzodiazepine medications like Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan.
All of these medications are classified as benzodiazepines, which causes the central nervous system activity to shut down. It works by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter known as GABA.
GABA acts like the brake pedal for the brain.
As we go speeding down a hill throughout a stressful day, the brake pedal is what slows us down and keeps us from having an anxiety or panic attack.
Taking Valium is like pulling the emergency brake. It forces the brain to come to a stop — eliminating anxiety.
Unfortunately, there are some serious consequences for relying on Valium to slow the mind down.
Valium addiction is common. Once we’re dependent on the Valium, if we’re going down the hill the next time our body expects the Valium to slow it down — so it doesn’t even try. If the Valium never comes (nobody pulls the E-brake) — we begin to spiral out of control in an anxious, panic-driven episode.
This is what Valium withdrawal feels like, and is the reason why so many people are addicted to the drug. As soon as they stop, their life begins to feel like it’s gone out of control — so they start taking the medication again.