What is the Difference Between Valium and Vicodin?

What are Valium and Vicodin?

Valium and Vicodin are listed under two separate drug classifications, and these two drugs are used for completely different reasons. Valium (the brand name for diazepam) is a benzodiazepine often used to treat anxiety disorders, seizures, restless legs syndrome and more. It has known side effects of drowsiness, muscle weakness, and/or loss of coordination. Vicodin, on the other hand, is an opioid based medication (the brand name for hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen). This drug is a drug used to treat moderate to severe pain, and is not used for mental health purposes.

How Valium Works

Valium works by calming the brain and nerves. The drug works by discouraging the firing of neurons in the brain, boosting the efficiency of the neurotransmitter GABA which flips the brain’s “off switch”. While Valium can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with anxiety, prolonged use can lead to dependence.

How Vicodin Works

Vicodin typically relieves symptoms of pain for up to 6 hours, but some individuals may develop a tolerance to it. When this occurs, taking higher doses at more frequent rates can cause the body to become dependent on the drug, eventually leading to addiction.

What Withdrawal Feels Like

If you’ve been taking Valium, you’ll notice if you’ve become dependent because you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, abdominal cramps, vomiting, sweating, anxiety, and restlessness. Withdrawal symptoms for Vicodin typically include irritability, mood swings, tremors, sweating, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and more.

Treatment For Addiction

There is treatment available for people who abuse either medications. Treatment for Valium often includes tapering down doses while attending therapy. Medical assistance may be available, and rehabilitation typically includes individual and group therapy as well as a variety of other effective methods.

Since Vicodin is an opioid medication, it can be very addictive, with an elevated risk for potential damage to the liver. Treatment may involve medical assistance, with buprenorphine and methadone to help ease withdrawal symptoms. A person may also taper down with this medication, lowering the doses until they are drug-free.

The Decision To Seek Help

If you are struggling with addiction, make the decision to reach out to a reputable treatment center and seek help today. Recovery is possible, and it’s never too late to begin your journey to recovery!

If you’re seeking treatment for mental illness and/or substance abuse, call us today at 855-545-9124.

Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed treatment center with licensed, experienced professionals who care about your recovery. Our dedicated healthcare team will work with you to ensure that you get the help that you need. Make the decision to place your health and happiness as top priority and call us for a consultation.