Valium (diazepam) belongs to the class of medicines known as benzodiazepines. Other medications in this class include Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Halcion (triazolam), and Ativan (lorazepam). The benzodiazepines all have several features in common: They reduce anxiety, sedate the body, relax the muscles, and have anti-seizure activity. What makes the compounds different from one another is how [...]

I have been taking 25 milligrams (mg) of Zoloft for a year and just quit cold turkey. I have been experiencing light-headedness and nausea for a few days now. Are these withdrawal symptoms from quitting cold turkey, and, if so, how long will these feelings last? Many antidepressants, including most of the newer ones, are [...]

Abuse of illegal drugs can be risky and even fatal, but abuse of legal drugs is also an extraordinary problem. More than 21 million Americans have abused prescription drugs, such as painkillers, sleeping pills and tranquilizers, at least once in their lives. Alcohol and tobacco alone claim more lives than all illegal drugs combined. Death [...]

Preventing a relapse into drug abuse often requires significant changes in habits and lifestyle. Depending on the severity of the drug problem, recovery (the stage that follows withdrawal) can be extremely difficult. Still, there are steps you can take to make it easier to remain clean: Seek the support of family members, friends and colleagues. [...]