Librium for Alcohol Withdrawal: How Does It Work?

Regular consumption of alcohol is a socially acceptable practice,

Overcoming alcohol use disorder can be challenging. But drugs like Librium can help treat uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol withdrawal can be scary. Symptoms like agitation, tremors and hallucinations are common. Even more severe problems like seizures or delirium tremens are also risks. Fortunately, alcohol withdrawal is a medically treatable condition with drugs like Librium.

What Is Librium? 

Librium was the brand name for the benzodiazepine chlordiazepoxide. Although the brand Librium has been discontinued, the drug is still available as a generic, and many people refer to it informally under the well-known — and shorter — brand name.

Librium works by affecting the brain’s calming neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Because many alcohol withdrawal symptoms are caused by rebound overstimulation of the brain, calming the brain can ease the withdrawal process.

Although best known for its use in alcohol withdrawal, Librium can be used for other medical conditions like anxiety.

Librium Side Effects

Librium’s common side effects are limited to:

• Drowsiness
• Coordination problems
• Confusion

However, more rarely, other side effects may occur, including:

• Fainting
• Rash
• Swelling
• Menstrual changes
• Nausea 
• Constipation
• Extrapyramidal symptoms
• Changes in libido

Why Is Librium Used for Alcohol Withdrawal? 

Librium is used for alcohol withdrawal for a few different reasons:

• Benzodiazepines, in general, are the preferred treatment for withdrawal because they are proven effective in preventing withdrawal symptoms and complications like seizures and delirium.
• Librium is effective in those with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• Librium starts to work quickly.
• Because Librium is long-acting, it can help prevent breakthrough or rebound withdrawal symptoms.

How to Take Librium for Alcohol Withdrawal

Librium is rarely prescribed if you are an outpatient to avoid accidentally combining it with alcohol and the risk of overdose. However, if you are in inpatient medical detox, your doctor will often prescribe Librium as needed to ease your withdrawal symptoms. This can also lower your risk of alcohol withdrawal complications like seizures and delirium tremens.

Librium Dosage 

Librium is often prescribed as needed depending on your current alcohol withdrawal symptoms, according to a questionnaire called the CIWA-Ar. Therefore, your dose will depend on the severity of the symptoms on the questionnaire. 

Sample Librium dosing based on the CIWA-Ar scale is as follows:

• For mild withdrawal symptoms (CIWA-Ar score less than 10): 25–50 mg
• For moderate withdrawal symptoms (CIWA-Ar score 10–18): 50–100 mg
• For severe withdrawal symptoms (CIWA-Ar 19 or higher): 75–100 mg 

In all cases, the CIWA-Ar should be repeated regularly, as often as every hour.

Length of Treatment 

You may stay on Librium for the entire duration of your acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms, typically lasting up to five days. However, your alcohol withdrawal timeline may differ and can depend on the severity of your withdrawal symptoms.

Precautions for Taking Librium

As a benzodiazepine and Schedule IV controlled substance, Librium can be risky. This is particularly true when the drug is mixed with alcohol, even unintentionally. For this reason, Librium is rarely prescribed for alcohol withdrawal symptom control outside the hospital. The potential for addiction, abuse and dependence also makes doctors shy away from prescribing the drug outside the hospital setting, especially if you already struggle with a substance like alcohol.

Safe and Effective Medical Detox in Washington State

Going through alcohol withdrawal on your own is not only uncomfortable; it can also be very dangerous. Complications like seizures and delirium tremens are considered a medical emergency and require professional intervention. Fortunately, medical detox centers that provide round-the-clock expert care, like The Recovery Village Ridgefield, can help. We offer a full continuum of care, not only weaning you from alcohol in our state-of-the-art facility but easing your way into rehab to support your long-term sobriety. If you or a loved one struggle with alcohol, don’t wait — contact a Recovery Advocate today to see how we can help.

Insurance May Cover The Cost of Detox

Your insurance may cover some or all of the cost of addiction treatment. Our online health insurance verification system will estimate your in-network and out-of-network deductibles, coinsurance percentages and out-of-pocket maximums. Within 5 minutes, you’ll receive an email with these details – free of charge. Fill out the form below to get started: