Written by:

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

March 28th, 2025

Valium rehab

Content Overview

When abuse of Valium develops into addiction, treatment is necessary to break the grip. Breaking free from such a drug can be a complicated process and is more than just quitting the medication.

It will also be necessary to deal with the underlying issues and causes of the addiction so that you can avoid a return to addictive behaviour in the future.

Quick access

The importance of treatment
Effective treatment
Inpatient treatment
Outpatient treatment
Valium rehab
Choosing inpatient rehab
Therapy options
What to expect?
Aftercare
Home-based treatment

While Valium is an effective medication in the treatment of a variety of conditions, it can be addictive when abused or when taken for prolonged periods of time. Once an addiction develops, treatment is necessary to help the affected person get better. This will almost certainly mean undertaking and completing a programme of detox and rehabilitation.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options for the treatment of Valium addiction here in the UK. This treatment is provided by various organisations with both free and paid-for options available. To find out more about treatment for Valium addiction and how to access it, read on.

Importance of Valium Addiction Treatment

Treatment is essential for anyone struggling with an addiction to a benzodiazepine-type medication such as Valium. If you believe your use of Valium has spiralled out of control, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible.

Addiction is a progressive illness that tends to get worse with time. It is hard to accept that your use of any substance is no longer within your control, but if your use of Valium is having a negative impact on your life, then it is highly likely you are already addicted.

Without treatment, the impact on your daily life will be massive. You may have already noticed the consequences in terms of your ability to function normally, and your relationships with family members and friends could also be suffering as your requirement for Valium starts to crowd out everything else.

Unless you seek help right now, your current situation is likely to deteriorate. Your mental and physical health will suffer, and you might find that you lose interest in the things that used to matter to you. You might begin abusing alcohol or other substances to enhance the effects of the Valium you are taking but doing so will dramatically increase your risk of overdose.

Treatment Philosophy and Benefits

The idea behind addiction treatment is that it will help you regain control of your life once more. It is designed to be a lifestyle change rather than a quick fix though. By committing to a programme of recovery, you are committing to a lifetime of health and happiness, giving you the chance to change your future.

With treatment, you can look forward to getting your life back on track, and you will have the opportunity to make good decisions and to take pleasure in the people and things that matter to you.

Recovery is a healing process, and one it is one that takes time. If you go into it with unrealistic expectations of getting better overnight, you will be disappointed; after all, you did not become addicted to Valium overnight, so why would you expect to get better that quick?

Treatment for addiction typically involves a tailored approach to care with programmes being designed around the affected individual. This means that you are likely to be given a plan that takes your own likes and dislikes into consideration as well as your treatment needs and individual circumstances.

Rehab providers usually provide a full assessment so that they can create a plan of care that incorporates a range of therapies, all designed to have maximum impact. With evidence-based treatments, you have the best opportunity of making a full recovery.

There are just so many benefits associated with addiction treatment. For a start, when you stop abusing Valium, your mind will become clear once more and you will be able to make logical decisions that are in your best interests. You will learn how to love yourself and others and you can work on rebuilding damaged relationships while also developing new friendships with like-minded people.

Getting Valium Addiction Treatment

Addiction treatment is available from a variety of organisations in the UK, but this can make finding the right programme a little overwhelming and a bit confusing. There is so much to consider before making your final decision. For example, did you know that rehab for addiction tends to be based on either the residential or daycare model of care? It is, and it is provided by the likes of the NHS, private clinics, charities, and local support groups. As you can see, there is already a lot to think about.

Having said that, you will find plenty of information available online, while there are many people you can talk to about getting treatment for your illness. Your doctor will probably be your first port of call as he or she can provide a physical and mental assessment and refer you to your local drug treatment service if appropriate.

You can also talk to us here at UKAT. We have several private clinics in various parts of the country and can therefore provide you information about what inpatient programmes are like. We can also answer any of your questions and give an assessment of your situation to determine how severe your illness is and the type of treatment programme that might suit you best.

Valium Addiction Treatment Modalities

Addiction treatment is an individual thing, with bespoke treatment plans considered the most effective way to help you overcome the illness. This means that the programme you follow is unlikely to be the same as one being followed by another patient in the same clinic; even another patient who is also being treated for Valium addiction.

Individualised plans will have a combination of behavioural modification techniques, talking therapies, holistic treatments, and medications, all used to help you achieve full and permanent recovery. The exact treatment modalities used will depend on your requirements and the counsellor in charge of your programme. Some counsellors prefer one type of treatment over another, but all will ensure your wellbeing is the most important issue when creating a treatment programme.

Talking and behavioural therapies are commonly used to treat addiction because they focus on the relationship between thoughts and behaviour. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for example, is one of the most commonly used treatments utilised by addiction counsellors today. It works on the principle that negative thoughts and feelings can result in negative behaviour and so that by learning how to challenge these maladaptive thoughts, you can replace them with positive alternatives.

However, these days addiction treatment is all about taking a whole-person approach. So while behaviour modification therapies can help to deal with the psychological issues relating to the addiction, a more comprehensive approach is required to deal with the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of the patient. It is for this reason that holistic therapies are often used in conjunction with traditional talking therapies.

So bearing this in mind, you might find that treatments such art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, yoga, and meditation are also included in your treatment plan. In addition, you may be prescribed certain medications to help in your overall recovery, and as a way to reduce stress and anxiety as well as prevent cravings.

Risks of Treatment

During treatment for Valium addiction, you will have to get clean, but this can carry certain risks. Withdrawal symptoms associated with Valium detox can be severe if not managed correctly, and although rare, life-threatening complications can potentially occur.

The type of symptoms you experience and how severe these are will depend on how quickly you withdraw from Valium and how heavy your use was before you quit. If you were a long-time user of Valium and at high doses, for example, your risk of severe and lasting withdrawal symptoms will be higher.

There is also the chance that you could develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which causes symptoms to appear suddenly and without warning many months, or even years, after you quit Valium.

Effective Treatment for Valium Addiction

Due to the risks associated with Valium withdrawal, it is recommended that you do not quit your medication suddenly. A gradual reduction of Valium over a period of weeks or months is the most effective way of breaking free with minimal impact.

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing the most effective form of treatment for Valium addiction, a fully comprehensive programme that includes a detox, followed by rehabilitation is the best and most appropriate choice. Both detox and rehab are vital steps on the road to recovery and both take care of different elements of the illness.

For example, detox will treat the physical addiction but will not deal with the psychological – for that you need rehab. Furthermore, you should remember that once you have completed both detox and rehab, you will need to follow up with aftercare support; ongoing maintenance sobriety is the key to avoiding relapse.

Inpatient Valium Treatment

Inpatient, or residential addiction treatment, is typically provided by private clinics and is the most intensive and time-consuming approach to recovery. Most programmes take place over the course of four to twelve weeks, during which time you will be expected to live in the clinic with other recovering addicts.

One of the benefits of inpatient treatment is the fact that you will be fully immersed in a programme of recovery from the moment you are admitted. The environment is calm and peaceful and free from all distractions, so you will have no choice but to focus on getting better.

Another massive benefit is the fact that you will be supported by a team of multi-disciplined professionals, around-the-clock. This will include doctors, nurses, counsellors, therapists, and support staff, all of whom will ensure that you are safe and comfortable at all times.

Inpatient programmes are the ideal choice if you have already tried to get clean in the past by using an outpatient programme or a local fellowship support group but found that this type of treatment did not work for you. It is also a good option if your addiction to Valium is severe and you have also been abusing other substances such as alcohol or other drugs.

Furthermore, if you believe that you will find it hard to stay sober in the real world, an inpatient programme is a must.

Outpatient Valium Treatment

While there are many benefits to inpatient programmes, they are not suitable for everyone. It may be the case that your family and work commitments prevent you from being away for weeks at a time and so you have to look for a programme that will run alongside everyday life. If this is the case, an outpatient programme will suit you better.

Outpatient programmes are also an excellent choice if you realised early on in your illness that you are addicted to (or potentially becoming addicted to) Valium and/or your illness is not severe. If you have a good support network in place at home, there is no reason why outpatient treatment will not work for you.

Outpatient programmes are typically provided by organisations such as charities, local support groups, and the NHS. There is no requirement for you to leave home and move into the clinic, but you will have to attend regular counselling and therapy sessions at specific intervals.

As you have probably guessed by now, outpatient programmes are far less intensive than their inpatient counterparts. Moreover, as there are far fewer treatment hours each week, programmes run for much longer as well. Some will last for many months; others can continue for a year or longer.

Valium Rehab

Rehab programmes are designed to help you overcome your addiction to Valium for the long-term. Nonetheless, you should know that there is more to addiction recovery than just quitting the substance to which you are dependent.

Addiction is a complex illness of the brain and it is necessary to deal with the emotional and psychological symptoms that accompany it. While the type of rehab programme you choose is important, what is more important is actually seeking help in the first place.

Many people mistakenly believe that once they quit a particular substance such as Valium, they will be better and will no longer need any more treatment. This is simply not the case. Overcoming Valium addiction requires a three-pronged approach:

Detox

Focusing on cleansing your system of the substance, detox is just the first part of the recovery process.

Rehab

Rehab, which is the second part of treatment, is vital because it deals with the issues that caused the addiction and teaches you how to live a substance-free life.

Aftercare

You will also learn the valuable skills that will help you to avoid a relapse once you leave your treatment programme, which is classed as aftercare and is the third stage of the treatment plan.

During rehab, you will develop life and work skills that you can take with you to enhance your normal everyday life.

Choosing the Best Inpatient Valium Rehab

If you like the idea of inpatient care, you will need to choose a rehab centre. Finding one that meets your needs can be a challenge though, especially when you possibly do not know what your needs actually are. Furthermore, if you have no experience of addiction and recovery, you might not know what you should be looking for in a good rehab clinic.

You need to be aware before you begin your search that inpatient programmes are, for the most part, provided by private clinics. This means that there will be a cost involved; the average price for a 4-week programme is between £4,000 and £13,500.

Budget will, therefore, be an important consideration when it comes to finding the best inpatient Valium rehab for you and your circumstances. But there are other things to think about too such as whether the staff are certified, and the clinic is regulated. Ideally, the rehab clinic you choose will be regulated by the Care Quality Commission. This means that you can be sure it is meeting at least the minimum standards for clinical excellence.

Reputation and success rate are also worth considering. Finding out what others say about the clinic will give you a greater insight into what to expect and it may make it easier for you to choose a programme to suit your needs and preferences.

Residential Treatment Centres vs. Outpatient Services

A residential treatment programme is the best choice if you want to get away from the temptations and triggers associated with daily life. It is also a good option if you want to get started on your recovery journey straight away.

What often happens with outpatient services is that they are accompanied by long waiting lists and so new patients are unable to access care immediately. This is because these programmes are typically provided free of charge by organisations like the NHS and charities. As such, they are heavily subscribed, and demand more often than not outweighs supply (by quite a large margin).

Although there is a cost involved when utilising the services of an inpatient programme, being able to access a programme of treatment within hours is a real advantage. This offers you the opportunity to start your recovery immediately, instead of having to wait and then risk falling further down the path of addiction.

Choosing between inpatient and outpatient services is really a matter of you deciding what is most important to you. You might not want to be away from home and those you love for weeks, so in this case, an inpatient programme will not be the best choice. If you are unhappy in the clinic, you are unlikely to commit fully to the programme, which could affect your chances of a successful outcome.

Private Valium Rehabs and Confidentiality

Confidentiality will probably be an important consideration for you. Most people are fiercely private about the fact that they are struggling with an addiction, particularly in the early days when there is still so much they do not know about their illness.

With private Valium rehabs, this is not something you need to worry about. Your privacy is important, and your details and medical information will not be shared with anyone else. If you want to keep your recovery journey completely private, rest assured that staff members will respect your wishes, and no one will know you are having treatment unless you tell them.

How Long Does Inpatient Valium Rehabilitation Take?

Inpatient rehab programmes typically run for between four and twelve weeks, with most lasting for around six weeks. How long your programme of rehabilitation lasts will depend on a number of factors.

If you have more complex needs, for example, your programme is likely to be longer. So, if you have been abusing Valium with alcohol or another substance, you might have more than one addiction to deal with. If you have underlying mental or physical health problems, your needs will also be more complex, which will probably mean an extended treatment programme.

What Happens During Treatment

You can expect to have a lot of counselling and therapy during addiction treatment. However, the exact treatment modalities used will depend on the type of care plan you have received.

If you are having treatment in an inpatient facility, your daily schedule will be set out in your programme. It will include times of treatments as well as meals and any free time you may be allowed. You can expect to spend much of your day in therapy and you are likely to have both individual and group therapy sessions. In addition, you might also have set times for holistic treatments such as meditation and yoga, which are designed to improve your mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing and help reduce feelings of stress.

Many rehab programmes include an introduction to 12-step therapy and fellowship support groups as this is likely to be something that forms a part of your plan and eventual aftercare. You might also find that family members are invited to take part in family therapy, which is considered an essential part of the programme.

Family therapy gives you and your loved ones the chance to rebuild relationships and to work together to overcome issues that were caused by, or were the cause of, the addiction.

Paying for Valium Addiction Treatment

Paying for treatment is a matter of choice and something that you will need to consider if you want to avail of an inpatient programme. While you will have the option of free programmes too, these tend to be outpatient based and most will not be immediately accessible.

If you want to access treatment straight away, you will need to be prepared to pay for it. Although inpatient programmes are at first glance pretty expensive, you may be able to apply for government funding. If you have private healthcare, the cost of your care might be covered under the policy, so it is worth checking this out.

Treatment Near Home vs. Different County or City

With so many treatment providers spread out across the whole of the UK, you will have plenty of choices when it comes to finding a suitable programme. You should know though that you do not have to choose a clinic in your own town or city if you do not want to, although there are some obvious benefits to being close to home.

One of the advantages of choosing a clinic near home is that it will be easier for you, and your family members, to get to. If your loved ones want to be involved in your recovery and are keen to take part in family therapy, you being treated near home will be more convenient for them.

You might also find that local employers offer placement programmes for recovering addicts, so being close to home will allow you to avail of these programmes.

Having said that, you might prefer the anonymity afforded by using a clinic located in a different part of the country. At the end of the day, the location of the clinic is all a matter of personal preference and convenience.

Valium Therapy Options

The wonderful thing about addiction treatment programmes is the fact that there are so many different therapies your care team can utilise to give you the best chance of long-term success. The use of holistic and traditional therapies together can provide for a more comprehensive recovery, and so most providers use this approach.

You can expect your treatment programme to include a range of talking and behavioural therapies as well as complementary or holistic treatments. Examples of the various therapies your care team might include in your programme are:

supportive psychotherapy
motivational interviewing
contingency management
motivational enhancement therapy
12-step therapy
family behaviour therapy
hypnotherapy
psychodynamic therapy
experiential therapy
cognitive behavioural therapy
acceptance and behaviour therapy
dialectical behaviour therapy
art therapy
mindfulness
animal-assisted therapy
music therapy
yoga
massage

Is there Medication-Assisted Therapy for Valium

Medication is often used during benzodiazepine rehab treatment. When you are trying to withdraw from Valium, it might be beneficial to replace it with another type of benzo that is less potent and longer-acting. This could help prevent some of the worst withdrawal symptoms from occurring.

Also, if you are struggling with symptoms of depression and anxiety during detox and rehabilitation, your doctor might prescribe medications to ease these symptoms.

Individual and Group Therapy for Valium Addiction Treatment

Irrespective of whether you are treated in an inpatient or outpatient facility, you can expect to have both group and individual counselling sessions. Individual counselling offers the opportunity to explore the issues that are specific to you and your illness. This might mean delving deep into your subconscious to discover what caused your addictive behaviour.

Individual counselling also gives you the chance to develop a trusting relationship with your counsellor. Doing so means learning how to be open and honest with yourself and others, which is a vital part of the whole recovery process.

Group therapy is also hugely beneficial in terms of helping you see yourself through the eyes of other people. While group therapy sessions are supportive and non-judgemental, they are also a fantastic way of encouraging you to be accountable for your actions.

During these sessions, you will learn that you are not alone and that many of the issues you are dealing with are the same as those facing others with addiction. Addiction can be a very lonely illness, but group therapy shows you that you are not on your own.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Valium Addiction

If you were originally prescribed Valium for a condition such as anxiety, you are likely to have complex needs in terms of addiction recovery. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is considered one of the most effective tools for treating those with substance abuse and mental health disorders.

It is an adapted form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and is ideally suited to those who experience deep, intense emotions. The aim of DBT is to help you accept who you are as a person, while also being able to recognise the changes you need to make to your behaviour. As with CBT, it will help you to understand the relationship between your thoughts and actions and will provide you with the skills needed to challenge and change negative thoughts and behaviours.

What to Expect from Valium Treatment and Rehab

Rehabilitation is a lengthy process and you may be wondering what is really in it for you. Know though that there are many benefits associated with getting help for an addiction. Think about how you have been feeling since you came to rely on Valium. You might be living with a cloud over your head that is preventing you from thinking clearly.

Imagine that cloud lifting and revealing a life where you can make good decisions and where you will enjoy spending time with loved ones and doing things that you used to enjoy. Imagine being able to get back to work and getting a promotion, or returning to education and working on things that you have always wanted to do.

Addiction treatment will give you a new positive outlook on life. You will learn that all things you have aspired to for so long are achievable. If you can overcome addiction to Valium, you will soon realise that you can do anything you put your mind to.

What Happens After Rehab Treatment

When rehab ends, recovery does not stop. It is important to be prepared to continue working on your recovery for long after the treatment programme ends. Many recovering addicts work hard on maintaining sobriety for the rest of their lives to ensure that they do not suffer a relapse. The good news is that this is not something that you have to do alone. There are many different options available in terms of aftercare.

What are the Aftercare Options?

Your rehab provider will most likely provide up to 12 months of aftercare support with your treatment programme. The benefit of this is that it helps with the transition from rehab to normal everyday living. How that aftercare support is provided will vary from one clinic to the next. It might come in the form of regular counselling on a daycare basis, or a sober living home that you can move into for a short period before returning home.

Support is also available from groups within your community. Fellowship groups give recovering addicts a vital support network with regular meetings that encourage members to share their stories and experiences so that they can learn from each other.

Relapse Prevention

It is important to learn how to avoid relapse, so this is a big part of rehabilitation. To prevent a slip up at a later date, you will need to learn what your triggers are so that you can avoid them should these arise.

There are many techniques to help you avoid a return to drug use, including distraction and meditation. It is important to find something that works for you so if you do find yourself in a situation of being tempted, you will have the necessary tools needed to keep your recovery on track.

Treating Valium Abuse at Home

Before your use of Valium reaches addiction stages, you may have the opportunity to treat it at home. If you are worried that you may be in danger of developing an addiction because you have been taking Valium in higher doses than those recommended by your doctor, or if you have been using it along with alcohol or other drugs, it is important to speak to your doctor.

It will be necessary to stop using Valium and your doctor can recommend the safest way to withdraw. You should know that it is never advisable to suddenly stop taking Valium on your own as doing so can result in exceptionally harmful consequences.

Instead, reduce your dose of Valium gradually over the course of a few weeks or months. Your doctor will provide a tapering schedule that you can follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I’m addicted to Valium?

An addiction to Valium can be difficult to spot because you may not realise you are addicted until actually trying to quit. However, if your use of Valium is having a negative impact on your life, and you are unable to quit or even cut back without suffering withdrawal symptoms, it is likely that you are addicted.

Can Valium cause addiction?

Valium is a safe drug when used in therapeutic doses over a short period. You should be aware though that it can cause addiction when abused or when used continuously for a period of more than four months.

How to stop Valium addiction?

The best way to stop a Valium addiction from occurring is to use it only as directed. If you notice that the medication is becoming less effective, speak to your doctor about safely withdrawing from it.

How to treat Valium addiction?

Valium addiction can be effectively treated with a comprehensive programme of recovery that includes a detox, rehabilitation, and aftercare. By including all three elements in the programme, you will have the best chance at long-term success.

Can Valium rehab be done at home?

If you want to recover from Valium addiction at home, you will need to choose an outpatient programme that will allow you to recover on a daycare basis. Nevertheless, you should know that your counselling and therapy sessions will still take place in the clinic – you will just return home after each session.

Can I get Valium rehab on the NHS?

The NHS offers outpatient programmes for all types of addictions, including Valium addiction. To access such a programme, talk to your doctor or refer yourself to your local drug treatment service. You will find details of these services via online information databases.

What to expect after Valium rehab?

Once Valium rehab is over, you can expect improvements in many areas of your life. When you are no longer living under the weight of addiction, you will be able to rebuild relationships and your financial situation should start to recover. Your health should improve, and you will have a renewed sense of freedom to make good decisions and choices. Valium rehab will give you the chance to get your life back on track.