Librium Withdrawal Symptoms and Signs, and Detoxification

Librium is the trade name of chlordiazepoxide, a class of benzodiazepines used to treat acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Here is what you need to know.


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Librium is the trade name of chlordiazepoxide, a class of benzodiazepines used to treat acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Librium is also prescribed to relieve anxiety, but only for short-term use. Chronic use of Librium can lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and an addiction that can result in Librium withdrawal syndrome.

The same syndrome is experienced by patients who have taken benzodiazepines over a long period of time and have developed an addiction to this class of drugs.

Librium has a long elimination life, allowing the drug to stay in the body even after days of ingestion. The usual half-life of Librium is 5 to 30 hours, but it has an active metabolite with a half-life of 36 to 200 hours. Librium can accumulate in the bloodstream after repeated administration.

Elderly people are more at risk to the drug’s long-acting metabolite because the brain and nervous system become more sensitive to these types of medications with age.

How Long Do Librium Withdrawals Last?

The average timeline of Librium withdrawals can last anywhere from 2 to 7 days, with some symptoms persisting after that. The length of withdrawals depends on the duration and frequency of Librium use.

Are There any Home Remedies for Getting Clean Safely?

To relieve withdrawal symptoms, it is best to forego any home remedies or alternative medicines and seek professional help. Rehabilitation centers are equipped with options to provide natural relief during detoxification.

Librium Withdrawal Treatment Options

Librium, like other benzodiazepines and alcohol, is a hypnotic drug and abrupt withdrawal from the drug can cause medical complications. Abrupt Librium withdrawal symptoms may cause psychosis, seizures, depression, tremors, agitation, muscle spasms, insomnia, depersonalization, and delirium tremens. If Librium is used to treat anxiety or alcohol dependence, abrupt discontinuation of the drug may result in rebound symptoms or the return of the symptoms for which the patient was initially treated.

There is also a phenomenon called tolerance withdrawal, wherein a Librium dependent experiences withdrawal symptoms even while taking a stable dosage of the drug. This subsequently results in increasing the regular Librium dosage to feel normal again and ease the withdrawal effects.

Gradual reduction of the drug’s dosage is recommended for Librium withdrawal treatment. Although symptoms can still persist during the treatment, these are less severe and will gradually decrease during the first few months of drug reduction treatment. Treatment can continue for several weeks to several years, depending on the Librium dependent’s lifestyle, personality, reasons for prescription, and environmental stresses.

There are other ways to treat Librium withdrawal symptoms. These include detoxification, rehabilitation, and recovery.


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Detoxing, Addiction Treatment Rehab and Recovery

Librium dependence can also be treated through detoxification, which is used to prevent adverse withdrawal symptoms and is the first approach to treating drug and substance dependence. Detoxification works by abruptly withdrawing from the drug and instead administering a cross-acting drug.

For Librium dependence, substituting Librium with another type of benzodiazepine is the usual recommendation. Diazepam is often used with this treatment because it has a longer elimination half-life than Librium and is available in low milligram tablets. It is also available in liquid form, allowing for faster effects and administration in low doses.

Addiction treatment rehab is the next step towards a drug-free life. Rehabilitation is a psychotherapeutic treatment that helps Librium dependents adapt to a drug-free environment. Rehabilitation is available in both outpatient and inpatient situations.

Those who have major responsibilities at home or at work can choose outpatient rehab, but inpatient rehab is recommended for people who are experiencing recurring withdrawal symptoms. It is also the best approach for long-term Librium dependents who have other medical or mental conditions.

Recovery is the third approach to treating Librium dependence. It is the stage where the patient is released from rehab and needs to face his or her own battles. Most inpatient rehabilitation centers help their patients through this stage by providing a local support group and conducting motivational interviews, pharmacotherapy, and aversion therapy. Librium treatment can be a life-long process. It needs commitment, an iron will, and a good support group to prevent relapse.



More Information About Librium

Librium Information at a Glance
Medication Name, Costs Class of Medicine
  • Generic Name: Chlordiazepoxide
  • Generic Name Variations: N/A
  • Chemical Name: N/A
  • Brand Name: Librium
  • Brand Name Variations: N/A
  • Cost/Price: $30/500 mg
  • Used to Treat Addiction? No
  • Function or Use at Low Dose: Mild sedative
  • Function or Use at High Dose: Treatment of alcohol withdrawals
  • Chemical Makeup: C16H16CIN30
  • System: CNS DEPRESSANT
  • Duration of Action: Up to 24 hours
Form, Intake and Dosage Interactions and Complications
  • Drug Forms: 5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg cap
  • Administration Routes: Administered orally
  • Dosage: 300 mg/day
  • Overdose: Exceeding 300 mg at one time
  • Alcohol Interaction: Additive depressant effects
  • Illicit Drugs: N/A
  • Prescription Medications: Additive effects with other depressants
  • Contraindications: N/A
Effects and Adverse Reactions Substance Abuse
  • Short-Term: Drowsiness, ataxia, skin eruptions, constipation, libido changes, EEG changes
  • Long-Term: May cause changes in mental abilities including mental alertness, suicidal tendencies.
  • Risk of Substance Abuse: High
  • Signs of Abuse: Rapid changes in mood, acute rage
Physiological Problem Signs and Symptoms Dependence and Addiction Issues
  • Withdrawal Syndrome Onset: 12-24 hours after the last dose
  • Withdrawal Symptoms: Convulsions, tremors, abdominal cramps, vomiting, sweating, dysphoria, insomnia
  • Tolerance: Users may develop tolerance
  • Cross Dependence: Ethanol
  • Physical Dependence: High risk
  • Psychological Dependence: Possible
Legal Schedules and Ratings
  • Controlled Substances Act Rating: Schedule IV