Does the movie provide a realistic look at Valium addiction?
Without a doubt. Jill Clayburgh has never taken the drug, but she told me she spent a long time researching what it's like. The movie is a graphic portrayal of addictive behavior—having to pop a couple of extra pills when things get tense.
What is to be learned from the film?
It shows that quitting cold turkey is not the way to end Valium addiction. In fact, I think the average case of cold turkey Valium withdrawal is much more serious than the average case of cold turkey heroin withdrawal. Convulsions can occur, or a person can become temporarily insane.
How do you advise someone to stop taking Valium?
Slowly reduce the dose, perhaps by two milligrams a week. You don't get addicted to Valium overnight. It isn't likely you're going to get unaddicted overnight.
Can an addict kick Valium alone?
I don't think that's a very good idea. Try to get your doctor to help. If that doesn't work, particularly if he's an arrogant or uncaring physician, try a second opinion. In our book we list sources of referral—experts in drug treatment, state programs, self-help groups. [Stopping Valium is available for $3 from "Pills," Health Research Group, 2000 P Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.]
How common is Valium use?
In 1980 Americans filled more than 33 million prescriptions for Valium, downing a total of 1.8 billion pills. They filled another 38 million prescriptions for other tranquilizers and sleeping aids in the Valium family. As many as 1.5 million Americans annually receive enough Valium and related drugs to keep them in pills for at least four months—more than enough time to become addicted. The average-size prescription contains enough pills for 20 days. But it can frequently be refilled five times.
Don't doctors know better?
No doctor wants to get a patient addicted to a drug. But I think my colleagues need to read more of the medical literature. They've been misled by pharmaceutical companies. As often as not, physicians say, "But I thought it was only addicting if someone used it above the recommended dose." That's not so.
When does addiction occur?
Valium creates a sense of euphoria. It calms people down, relieving any sense of anxiety. It is a downer in that it dulls their awareness of anxiety-producing situations. Addiction occurs when the euphoric effect starts wearing off and people feel the need to start increasing their daily dose from, say, 10 milligrams to 20, 30 or 40. The total is still within the recommended dose for Valium.
Who becomes addicted to Valium?
Most of these people have never been in trouble with alcohol or any other drug. The typical housewife who goes to the doctor's office suffering from anxiety usually prides herself on never having to use a drug. And the doctor says, "Here's a prescription for Valium." If the doctor said, "Here's a prescription: Drink a pint of bourbon every day for a month," the person would rebel. But people know very little about the side effects of Valium.
What side effects?
Very serious ones, even with minimal doses. Mental and physical abilities decline. Most people get drowsy and lose some coordination. Some become confused. Combining Valium and alcohol is especially dangerous.
How many Valium-like drugs are there?
Ten, all part of a close-knit chemical family called benzodiazepines. And, like Valium, they all have wonderfully tranquil-sounding names: Librium, Tranxene, Ativan, Serax, Dalmane, Restoril, Paxipam, Xanax and Centrax.
What do the makers of these drugs have to say about your charges and the controversy caused by the movie?
Hoffmann-La Roche sent out a letter to psychiatrists using the phrase "blatant misuse" to describe Barbara Gordon's experience. That's like a drug pusher telling heroin addicts it's their fault for getting hooked. Earlier this year the FDA had Hoffmann-La Roche change a massive advertising campaign in medical journals. Essentially, the ads showed a talking pill saying, "I do not cause addiction when used as recommended." All along, the company's attitude has been that it's only huge doses that really get a person into trouble.
Why do doctors prescribe these drugs?
We live in an anxiety-ridden society. Doctors who don't have the time to deal with their patients' anxieties find a chemical solution.
Weren't other tranquilizers abused before Valium?
Before Valium was developed in 1963, people took Miltown and Equanil. Or they drank. An interesting trend over the last 20 years is the explosion of chemical use. It started slowly, but really rocketed with Valium.
Is Valium use still increasing?
Fortunately not. During the past five years there has been a 45 percent drop in its use. Part of the reason has been all the publicity about the problem of addiction, such as Barbara Gordon's book and the film that has been adapted from it.
Do you ever prescribe Valium?
No. I recommend confiding in friends and exercising instead. But I think there are some doctors who practice good medicine who do prescribe Valium. They make sure to authorize very small doses with no automatic refills.
What do you do to relieve anxiety in your personal life?
Believe it or not, I find work relieves my anxiety. And I run a fair amount to wind down.
Should an attempt be made to have Valium pulled off the market?
No, we don't advocate banning Valium or any of the other drugs. It's our policy to regulate them so prescription refills aren't allowed. I think the public will lead the way in regulating Valium when people say, "No, I'd rather figure out what's causing my anxiety than take another pill."
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
