Librium, like all benzodiazepines, has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
What Is Librium?
Quick Answer
Librium is a discontinued brand name for the benzodiazepine chlordiazepoxide. FDA documents suggest it’s safer than other drugs in its class.[1] But it’s still associated with addiction and abuse.
Generic forms of Librium treat anxiety and acute alcohol withdrawal. People feeling anxious before surgery may get doses of chlordiazepoxide too.
The proper dosage of Librium is determined by an individual’s age, overall health, symptoms, and reaction to the drug itself. It is important to follow prescription guidelines when taking Librium and other benzodiazepine drugs. Addiction becomes likely when the drug is abused.
Common street names for Librium tablets include the following:
Are you or someone you know struggling with addiction?
I may have a problem I am concerned for a loved oneDowners
Tranqs
Bennies
Benzos
Chill pills
Sleeping pills
Quick Facts About Librium
Librium is no longer available in the U.S. Its generic form, chlordiazepoxide, can still be prescribed.
About 30.6 million American adults abuse benzodiazepines like Librium every year.[2]
Librium withdrawal symptoms can be serious and include seizures. A tapered dose is the safest way to get sober.[1]
In 2015, about 7% of doctor visits ended with a prescription for benzodiazepines like Librium.[3]
Librium has a long half-life of up to 48 hours.[1] It will stay in your system for an extended period.
Librium Statistics
Librium’s Origins
Librium was synthesized and developed in 1956, and it was approved for patient use in 1960.[4]
Production Halt
Mylan, Librium’s producer, stopped making brand-name formulations of the drug in early 2021.[5]
Ongoing Shortages
Librium often appears on drug shortage lists, as no other companies have stepped up to take over the brand.[5]
Why Is Librium Typically Prescribed?
The FDA approved chlordiazepoxide to treat anxiety disorders, anxious feelings before surgery, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Doctors also use the drug to help people overcome catatonia.[4]
How Addictive Is Librium?
Librium is a Schedule IV drug per the U.S. Department of Justice.[6] Drugs in this class have a lower abuse potential than painkillers and narcotics. But they can cause addiction when they’re used at high doses for long periods.
While there isn’t a singular cause of benzo addiction, various factors contribute to its formation. Benzodiazepines change the brain’s neurochemistry, which causes tolerance to build up over time. Individuals can become both physically and mentally addicted to Librium and other benzodiazepine drugs.
“There is a lot of debate on the use of benzodiazepines in the medical community. Some support the use due to immediate benefits and some don’t due to addiction, tolerance, withdrawal, risk of cognitive decline, falls, etc. Conflicting studies make it even harder to make the right decision at the time when patients are seen in the clinics.”[7]
Symptoms of Librium Addiction
If you or someone you know is addicted to chlordiazepoxide, you’ll likely notice some physical and behavioral changes. Recognizing these issues is important. When you see them, you can offer help to someone in need.
| Physical | Behavioral | Psychological |
|---|---|---|
| Dizziness | Irregular sleep patterns | Irritability |
| Nausea | Financial problems | Depression |
| Constipation | Drug-seeking behavior | Anxiety |
| Sedation | Doctor shopping | Mood swings |
| Lack of coordination | Stealing prescriptions | Compulsive behavior |
| Slurred speech | Forging prescriptions | Apathy |
| Sources: [1,4] |
Potential Signs of Librium Addiction
The following signs of a potential Librium addiction include:
Doctor shopping to obtain more Chlordiazepoxide
Using illegal methods to locate and purchase Librium
Lying to friends, family, and loved ones about Librium abuse
Expressing a desire to quit taking the substance but being unable to do so
Experiencing financial difficulties due to the cost of locating Librium
Physical health issues due to excessive use
Side Effects of Librium
Like all benzodiazepine medications, Librium can cause unpleasant side effects. Even if you take the drug as your doctor recommends, you could still experience physical or mental discomfort. Problems tend to worsen the longer you use the drug.
Short-Term Side Effects
Common side effects seen in people who use Librium include drowsiness, confusion, and a lack of coordination. Some people faint while using the drug.[1]
These symptoms are typically mild, and they rarely cause someone to quit taking the drug. But some people experience more unpleasant problems, including allergic reactions and itchy skin.
Long-Term Side Effects
Librium can be very hard on your liver. People who take the drug for long periods can develop jaundice (yellow-tinged skin) as the liver begins to fail.[1] Doctors typically provide multiple blood tests to monitor your organ health during treatment. If you’re abusing the drug, you won’t get this protection.
Other common side effects include weight gain, menstrual irregularities, and forgetfulness.[1,4]
| Short-Term Effects | Long-Term Effects |
|---|---|
| Sedation | Liver damage |
| Depression | Weight gain |
| Lack of coordination | Menstrual irregularities |
| Fainting episodes | Forgetfulness |
| Sources: [1,4] |
Combining Librium With Other Substances
Librium interacts with other drugs. When chlordiazepoxide is abused, it is commonly used with other substances, such as marijuana, alcohol, and other prescription medications like opioids.
Chlordiazepoxide is known to have severe interactions with alcohol as well as sedative-hypnotics.[1] When the drug is combined with other benzodiazepine drugs or opioids, the sedative effects are magnified, causing slowed heart rate, depressed breathing, and other respiratory issues. This can even result in coma or death.
Combining Librium with other drugs and substances (sometimes called crossfading) is very dangerous. It should never be done without a doctor’s approval.
In 2021, nearly 14% of all overdose deaths involving opioids also involved benzodiazepines like Librium, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.[8]
Librium Overdose
Take too much Librium, and you could experience an overdose. This is a life-threatening problem that requires treatment in a hospital.
These symptoms are common in a Librium overdose:[4]
Confusion
Slow reflexes
Extreme sedation
Unconsciousness
If you think someone has overdosed on Librium, call 911. Tell the operator where you are, what happened, and what the person took. Stay with the person until help arrives.
519.6%
Between April/June 2019 and April/June 2020, overdose deaths attributed to illicit benzodiazepines rose 519.6%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[9]
Librium Withdrawal
Do not quit taking benzodiazepines without your doctor’s help. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe. In some cases, they can be life-threatening.
Common withdrawal symptoms include the following:[1]
In some cases, people attempting to quit benzodiazepines cold turkey develop seizures. It’s never safe to try this approach.
Finding Librium Addiction Treatment
Recovering from Librium addiction is possible. You’ll need a treatment program made up of the following critical elements:
Supervised Taper
A cold-turkey approach to quitting puts pressure on delicate brain cells and can lead to seizures. A taper is different. Your doctor develops a schedule that allows you to quit the drug over time, so your brain cells can adjust safely. Your doctor ensures you move through this process without experiencing intense withdrawal symptoms, but you might feel mild discomfort as you taper your dose.
Medical Detox
Since some people abuse other drugs in combination with Librium, medical detox could be helpful. Here, doctors use medications to help your body to quit using other substances. Your team might also use this opportunity to treat underlying issues like depression.
Behavioral Therapy
Therapy is the core of addiction treatment. In sessions, clients work with therapists to determine the root causes of their substance abuse. By identifying these triggers for drug abuse, they can begin to build plans to make better choices going forward.
Individuals learn how to build healthier habits that support a life in recovery. An emphasis is often placed on cognitive behavioral therapy, where the relationship between thoughts and behaviors is highlighted. By changing their thoughts, individuals learn how to change their behaviors.
Dialectical behavior therapy is another approach that can help you change your thought patterns and then your behavior.
Rehabilitation
Managing medications and therapy isn’t easy for everyone, especially when you’re living at home and surrounded by triggers. An inpatient treatment program can help you step away from triggers to focus on your treatment around the clock. An outpatient treatment program can help you manage potentially triggering situations while you work on your healing in appointments.
Librium Addiction Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the most commonly asked questions about Librium addiction.
Librium is used to treat anxiety and alcohol withdrawal.
Yes. Librium can alter your brain chemistry, which can cause addiction.
People addicted to Librium typically take more than is prescribed. They shop for doctors, steal drugs, and work with dealers to keep up their drug supply.
You must work with a doctor to quit using Librium. You can’t quit this drug cold turkey without help. Doing so is dangerous.
Librium addiction can lead to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and serious health risks, especially with prolonged use. If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, call us or visit one of our locations today for compassionate care and effective treatment options.
- Librium patient handout. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published July 2005. Accessed July 27, 2023.
- Maust DT, Lin LA, Blow FC. Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among Adults in the United States. Psychiatr Serv. 2019;70(2):97-106. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201800321
- Agarwal SD, Landon BE. Patterns in Outpatient Benzodiazepine Prescribing in the United States. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(1):e187399. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.7399
- Chlordiazepoxide. Ahwazi H, Abdijadid S. Stat Pearls. Published November 7, 2022. Accessed July 27, 2023.
- Chlordiazepoxide capsules. ASHP. Published June 15, 2022. Accessed July 27, 2023.
- Controlled substance schedules. U.S. Department of Justice. Accessed July 27, 2023.
- Careful Prescribing of Benzodiazepines during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review. Agrawal R. J Ment Health Clin Psychol. 2020;4(4);13-16.
- Benzodiazepines and opioids. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Published November 7, 2022. Accessed July 27, 2023.
- Liu S, O’Donnell J, Gladden RM, McGlone L, Chowdhury F. Trends in Nonfatal and Fatal Overdoses Involving Benzodiazepines — 38 States and the District of Columbia, 2019–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1136–1141. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7034a2external icon
