VALIUM, LIBRIUM, AND OTHER BENZODIAZEPINES
©1998 by Michael Riversong
By far one of the most widely prescribed classes of drugs is the Benzodiazepines. This includes the very popular drugs, Valium and Librium.
It has been said that Valium is a derivative of a legitimate herbal medicine, valerian. While there may be some resemblance in effects, this is false information. These drugs are a class all their own, made exclusively in laboratories and production lines.
Until recently, the mechanism of these drugs was not known to those who prescribe them so commonly. New information has been developed which shows they have a complex interaction with various chemicals in the body, including histamines and dopamine. The effect that doctors are looking for is a binding to certain very complex chemicals, which reduces nervous system activity overall. However, because of their composition, these drugs also reduce the amount of dopamine in the system.
Over several years of use, it is possible for the body to give up on producing sufficient dopamine. This natural chemical plays a large role in controlling motion and stabilizing the nerves which operate muscles (and incidentally produce speech) throughout the body. When dopamine is insufficient over a long period of time, a condition called Tardive Dyskenisia sets in. Its symptoms are almost identical to Parkinson's Disease, and so it is commonly misdiagnosed as that condition. Symptoms include tremors, which progressively get worse and eventually affect all body systems, meaning a patient loses control over all normal bodily functions. Other symptoms include speech difficulties. The end result of either condition is being in a wheelchair, in diapers, unable to speak but otherwise functioning. This can persist for years, since people rarely die directly from either condition.
Recovery from benzodiazepine use is a difficult process. Nutrition plays a vital role. The B vitamins, E, and Lecithin are essential to rebuiling the nervous system as much as possible. Once the condition of a body gets serious, various drugs, such as L-Dopa, have been used with only intermittent success. Sometimes dopamine replacement has been known to work, but its effects tend to be both temporary and unpredictable. Other experimental treatments may become available eventually, mostly using low-voltage, low-frequency electrical stimulation of the body.
Therefore, the best solution to benzodiazepines is to not use them at all, and find another way to handle chronic anxiety. If someone is using any of them, the drug should be discontinued immediately. Of course this will mean tapering off under medical supervision, since these drugs can be somewhat addictive.