What is diazepam dosage regimen for alcohol withdrawal?

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

Hallucinations, Extreme Hypertenstion (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

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.