I have alcohol withdrawal symptoms and some diazepam 5 mg tablets. how many pills should I take, and how often should I take them to help with the withdrawal ?
What is diazepam dosage regimen for alcohol withdrawal?
- Asked
- 6 Nov 2009 by sarumhyll
- Updated
- 28 May 2018
- Topics
- alcohol withdrawal, diazepam, withdrawal, alcohol
6 Answers
duckworthy
6 Nov 2009
Dear Sarumyhill,
I'll be upfront by telling you there may be some parts of my answer you don't want to hear or won't liking to hear. (As a general rule, we alcoholics NEVER want to hear something or the other!)
First, are you an alcoholic, or is this withdrawal due to a recent, particulary bad binge-type of drinking spree? Only you can know the answer to this question. My own impression is that you probably are - you know the old adage, "it takes one to know one."
Second, it would be helpful to know what and how much you had been drinking, and what symptoms you are experiencing right now.
Diazepam (aka Valium, a benzodiazapine drug) is one of the drugs used to combat severe alcoholic withdrawal symptoms, as are Ativan (aka lorazepam - another benzodiazapine) and phenobarbital (a barbiturate). However, these are given in a hospital setting, and should not be self-administered without close medical supervision. if your symptoms are pretty bad, I would recommend going to the ER. Trust me, you will not be the first patient they've treated for alcoholic withdrawal. I have been there several times over the years before it had gotten so bad that I checked myself in to a rehab center for 2 weeks while experiencing a rare moment of clarity/sensibility. The physician assigned to my case treated me with oral diazapam, starting on Day 1 with a high dose every 4 or 6 hours (I can't quite remember which). The dosage amount was decreased with the first round of diazepam on Day 2, and continued to be decreased until the last dose, which was the first round on Day 4. After that, I was no longer given the drug - truthfully, I felt as if I could have stopped it sometime during Day 2, but was grateful the doctor played it safe. While I know you're not asking this, I'll just go on to say that the remainder of my time in rehab was really a wonderful - and fun! - experience. I haven't touched a drink that last one before I checked in.
Seriously, go to the ER. The pills you have are sort of like a loaded gun with the symptoms you're experiencing right now. You need to be observed, as well as hydrated.
Please, get well and stay well. I hope it helps you to know that others, including myself, have been there, too.
Regards,
Duckworthy
htwooh
2 May 2010
I haven't seen too many alcohol related questions on here but I found your answer just what a new person wants to hear - the faster we give it away the faster we can keep it huh? I read your profile and found you to be such an interesting person because I think I had the same problem with my hip that you may have. I thought I had a new hip put in because I ground off about 3 inches after a car wreck but now I think it might have been osteo. It was a perfect surgery and I feel like a 20 year old again so have been too active the last 2 years but it is hard worrying about the other parts starting to go. I hate pain meds because of the alcoholism - I really feel that if I am on a controlled dose just for pain I am fine but the minute I am in taper or have too many, I lose control again just like w.alcohol. But that is then and I am on nothing now so I am lucky - I too have found laughter the best way through life.
I know if I was starting through this journey I would have loved to have heard from the ttwo of you - I hope Sarumyhill will get in tough if needing any comfort or help - I couldn't add too much but tried to make light of a serious situation only because that is what helped me. Thanks again. htwooh
Frankie20
14 Apr 2017
Ok well I have been drinking at least 1 bottle and sometimes 2 bottles of rose wine? Not very often it would be 3? For at least 2 or more years don't know exactly? I don't wake up and have to have a drink or have any symptoms but I think it started off as Borden cause of I'll health so I finished work and needed something to help me along but it's got to the point now where I must stop or want to stop for my partner my daughter and grandson and most of all me? So please could u give me some advice thanks
Evelyn Baron
4 Sep 2017
I agree that ER is the first step. In Canada there are links to detoxes which disseminate information about different rehab programs.
I am a recovering alcoholic, in AA, but when I first looked for medical help to withdraw from my symptoms, I was not treated with respect at the ER I went to. In fact, I seizured while waiting for help. Each person is different, but certainly, properly administered diazepam is probably the best way to control withdrawal symptoms, which can be fatal. It has a much longer half life in the body than Lorazapam, and although a medical detox of this nature should involve some tapering, and certainly not be attempted if alcohol is still in the system, it can take up to 5 days before the person is stable, due to length of use, age, gender etc.
colinzimmermann
2 May 2010
This question is tough to answer and I know you want a response quickly but just need a little more background info if possible... Note: Duckworthy makes an excellent point that alcohol withdrawal is a medical emergency, can be fatal, and generally requires professional medical attention, but I'm guessing you already know that and for whatever reason, a trip to the ER is not an option. I know you are in a hurry to get the situation under control but a little more information is needed before I can be of any assistance to you. One: exactly what are your withdrawal symptoms because alcohol withdrawal comes in several different flavors from hangover to acute alcohol withdrawal to the DTs (Delirium Tremens)... nervous/shaky/nauseous doesn't equal DTs... Hallucinations, Extreme Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Tachycardia (Rapid Heartbeat), Hallucinations, Seizures and the like are indicators of the DTs.
Please describe your symptoms if possible. Second taking random doses of valium/diazepam while you still have alcohol in you system can be fatal. In a medical detox environment, librium/chlordiazepoxide is usually used because it is a long acting benzo but so is valium/diazepam so that's not a problem. The problem is that the librium/valium taper used in medical detox is based on the patients blood pressure and pulse, so, if you don't have access to your vital signs then the dose is pretty much a shot in the dark. To be perfectly honest with you, your best bet, although difficult and requiring enormous willpower, is to use your drink of choice rather than valium to taper off with as you are already familiar with your alcohol tolerance and much less likely to overdose/underdose which is the risk you take trying a DIY Benzodiazepine taper. Hope this helps, message me if you need anything. Colin
htwooh
2 May 2010
I agree with the answers - I have withdrawn from alcohol a few times - twice in rehab and once with valium - but if I have valium I would probably take the whole bottle in 2 days - and if I had my drink of choice I would probably think I needed one every ten minutes but you might be able to do it that way-- those first days are bad but really worth it. I agree with the first answer - my time at rehab was as enjoyable as living in a sorority - I was away from the pressure that made me crazy - I literally realized I wasn't crazy -- that all I had to do was not drink. I thought about some people who are diagnosed with cancer or other diseases and if the Dr. said to them - just stop drinking or eating lettuce or candy or something, and it will go away - how greatful they would be and I have tried to live with that gratitude -that all I have to do is not drink and I am fine ( unless I have to take a pill - ha ha!).
I have had slips along the way but when you really get that up front training and really believe what they tell you and they are not lying (I am referring to the counselors if you get help) - again - there is not a person alive who can do it You will feel better soon and you will have to work at it and you will laugh and have your life back and won't have to wonder 'if only I had gotten through those few days of withdrawal (30 years later!! Good luck and anything you need please write and I will help if I can. Drink alot of liquid - a Dr. showed me an xray of my brain while I was drinking and it was the size of a 75 year old woman - shrunken and shriveled looking. It comes back to normal if you stop now and take care of yourself but alcohol is the worst poison on earth for ruining your body. Hope this is not sounding like a lecture. I just have a particularly horrible fear of alcohol. I have drank listerine a couple of times and that is not a pretty sight!! Won't go into detail but my stomach must be strong because it comes out of your skin smelling just like booze - it did not 'smell' like clean breath (I thought I had the trick to drinking again- the insanity creeps up fast!! - it smelled like I was a gas station on fire. That's what the cravings do to me - isn't really a drink) oh Good luck and my thoughts are with you. If you go to a meeting - beleive what the old timers tell you .- LEt us know if you need help.
fatkat55
7 May 2010
My doctor encouraged me to go to a detox centre, but I was reluctant to do that, mainly because I work for myself and couldn't service my customers if i was away from my computer.
So he prescribed me diazepam.
The dosage is:
Day 1: 10mg 4 times a day
Day 2: 10 mg 4 times a day
Day 3: 10 mg morning, 5 mg midday, 5 mg evening, 10 mg night
Day 4: 5 mg morning, 5 mg miday, 5 mg evening, 10 mg night
Day 5: 5 mg 4 times a day
Day 6: 5 mg 4 times a day
Day 7: 5 mg morning
In conjuction he put me onto thiamine, multivitamins and metocloprami (for nausea).
My withdrawal symptoms are severe - violently sick, unable to sleep, radical trembling, sweating, and either feeling too hot or too cold.
It's day two for me, and I hope it works... not feeling much better yet. I've also been put on an anti-depression course of meds - he thinks depression is the main reason I became dependent on booze.
Hope that helps.
R1kki
8 Sep 2017
I appreciate your advice and guidelines having done residential regal 3 times and can no longer afford it. I'm thinking of purchasing some Valium to self detox but as yourself am unsure how vouch to use and what intervals. If any one else can give any further advice I'd greatly appreciate it. I've had two seizures in the last 7 years and have managed 3 years clean and sober once but am a serial relapsed, I can't go on but even after 15 hours I am having severe auditory hallucinations and can honestly say say the most recent was the worst experience of my life. I drink up to 6-8 bottles of wine day and night and wake up shaking. Pls can anyone give any more advice as to how to proceed,, rehab will take s year at least on the state and I'll be lucky to be alive with the damage I do to my body. Any advice greatly welcomed x
Chipete
1 Feb 2018
I wanted to share my experiences with alcohol withdrawal - I was 375-750ml tequila/vodka user for about a half a year. I decided to quit the first time be tapering with beer (which I don't like). I didn't even drink the last bottle My tapering lasted about 6 days. Afterwards, I had no withdrawal symptoms at all - -just a little shaky. 6 months later I drank again for about three months. I toolk valium. The amount you take will be different for every person, so it should be monitored. I ended up taking maybe 30 5mg's total over 7 days. No problem at all.
The last time I quit, I was drinking around 375ml, mostly less for about 3 weeks. I quit suddenly. Bad idea - I went the full round of withdrawal systems. Had to go to the emergency room with friends because I was hearing and seeing things that I thought were real. I had to stay overnight. Best decision ever.
My advice to people is that it is worth telling your primary and probably best to at least try out-patient. I lucked out the first two times. The last time was unreal and agonizing. I would hate some to experience what I experienced. The ER docs knew what to do and I was out in a day.
yourfate
30 Mar 2018
Hello. Know the hell you are going through. Been there unfortunately too many times. It depends on how much you were drinking and the length of time. Also how long since you stopped drinking. There is a timeline for different symptoms. How much you should take would depend on your weight, age and other factors. Also, DRINK GATORADE, WATER AND TAKE SUPER B VITAMIN, MAGNESIUM AND MULTIVITAMIN. IF YOU CAN'T EAT MUCH, EAT BANANAS, EGGS, POTATOES. HOPE YOU ARE OK.
yourfate
30 Mar 2018
Also I refuse to go to the emergency room. The doctors treat you like dirt and discharge you as quickly as possible. There are not any detox facilities where I live. I have detox ed myself. ... not easy. If anyone shows signs of seizures. LOSE YOUR PRIDE AND GO TO THE ER
Dadavis1
28 May 2018
First of all I am not a Dr. and cannot give an as accurate example as you would probably need. But two things. One I too am an alcoholic. It's probably "easier" to do the detox with valium, and the other person was correct is a lot of front-loading. The goal being to prevent DTs and to keep you at least semi-sedated until you can be weaned off. The second is that you CAN do it by tapering. But... you need to have a strong will, because you could easily say ok drink 8 beers on the first day, then 4 on second... and so forth, but it must be evenly spaced or you will just get drunk again... and a clear schedule for a few days, because you will need to be drinking around the clock. And remember it then becomes "medicine" not for you to feel good. But I've done it that way a few times, along with thiamin, and plenty of fluids and it is not that unpleasant. Best of luck...
Further Information
- Diazepam Information for Consumers
- Diazepam Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Diazepam (detailed)
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