Homework Help: Health: Substance Abuse: Valium

This depressing wonder drug has been doing its job ever since Leo Sternbach composed the prescription combination in 1963. With increasingly desired and attractive side effects, Valium hit peak consumption in 1978.

As usual, such sedatives come with a price. The drug has hit legal issues from all directions. And it's no surprise to pharmacists that Valium is involved in illegal consumption. Parents worldwide legally purchase large quantities of Valium interpreting the situation as the perfect stress-reliever. This gives teens easy access to ataxia, hyperactivity, hypnotism, and hallucinations. Worst of all, Valium is addictive and often results in drug abuse and muscle failure.

Valium, scientifically called diazepam and titled "Executive Excedrin" by the American culture, is in the benzodiazepine group of drugs. Its side effects are focused on the central nervous system (CNS) in all tested mammal species.

Medical Usage

Considered a minor tranquilizer, Valium is useful for treating most muscle spasm-related diseases and disorders.

These disorders include excessive agitation, tremors, delirium, seizures, hallucinations, back pain, stress, and anxiety.

The most common usage of Valium is to relieve back pain. Valium effectively relieves most back pain by relieving skeletal-muscle spasms around the body, especially the lower back region.

Entering the Body

There are recommended and devised methods of inserting Valium into the human body.

The recommended method used by doctors is via injection with a syringe just beside the rectum.

This method of inserting Valium into the body is undesirable and difficult to perform on oneself. Therefore illegal users of the drug inject Valium into the shoulder, under the tongue, or into a buttock.

Valium, taken in orally, has not been known to have the same side effects, as the drug has a more difficult time entering the blood stream.

Side Effects

The number of side effects from Valium is great. Certain effects may or may not occur, some side effects are positive, and others are dangerous to the patient's health.

The many side effects include:

• excessive sedation
• decreased dexterity
• anticonvulsion
• muscle relaxation
• ataxia
• hypnotism

In an instance of overdose, the patient may experience respiratory arrest or depression. Either way, a bystander should be prepared to control or assist ventilations of the patient.

Illegal Usage

Illegal usage of the drug occurs when it is inserted without the appropriate prescription.

Illegal users find that Valium rids of worries from life and makes a day more relaxed.

Worst of all, the drug is addictive and habit-forming, keeping users at continuous demand for the drug.

Homework Help: Health: Substance Abuse

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