Ativan Addiction Treatment

Getting To Know Ativan 

When anxiety strikes, doctors often turn toward the prescription drug Ativan to help their patients. Its true chemical name is lorazepam and is a benzodiazepine, a class of drugs that affect the central nervous system. When taken, this drug is useful for combating anxiety because it slows the brain and nerves, helping to calm the individual prescribed the drug.

One of the side effects of Ativan is that when taken in higher doses, the drug is known for producing the pleasant feelings of a high. This makes it popular in recreational use and is one of the primary reasons that Ativan is abused. While the risk of dependency is present even when taken properly, Ativan’s potential for abuse and addiction is greatly heightened when used improperly and/or recreationally.

If left untreated, an Ativan addiction can easily spiral out of control, destroying ones’ livelihood, relationships and overall well-being. Although it may seem impossible, there is hope for a life…recovered, and it begins with the proper treatment and support of experienced professionals.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact Brookdale today at 855-575-1292 to begin the process toward a better tomorrow.

What is Ativan?

Known as a benzodiazepine, Ativan is a potent psychoactive drug that is primarily prescribed to patients that suffer from severe anxiety. Due to how it dulls a person’s senses, it is also used for panic disorders, seizures, insomnia and sometimes to combat the withdrawal symptoms of other drugs such as alcohol. It may sometimes be given to patients before a surgery to help relax their body and remain sedated throughout the procedure.

To work as it does, Ativan enhances a natural chemical in the body called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is responsible for controlling how neurons fire in the brain. Under the influence of Ativan, GABA becomes more efficient and in turn slows down neuron communication, effectively relaxing individuals with anxiety, as their neurons are usually overactive.

When it comes to benzodiazepines, Ativan is one of the most powerful variations and can easily lead to addiction if abused. Even in medical circumstances, doctors recognize the risk associated with the drug and as such, rarely prescribe it for more than four months in a row. Oftentimes, when patients abuse the drug, it is either because they are using it to cope with a milder form of anxiety that does not require this medication or as a recreational product to experience pleasure. Both activities significantly increase the odds that they will develop an addiction at some point.

Ativan comes as a tablet and is currently only available in .5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg quantities of lorazepam, although the actual weight of the tablet is greater due to the inactive ingredients like monohydrate found in the medication.

When taken for recreational use, these tablets are sometimes crushed into a powder. This is done so the individual can either snort or mix it with a liquid for intravenous use, in both cases decreasing the amount of time the drug needs to take effect.

How Addictive is Ativan?

When it comes to benzodiazepines, Ativan is considered highly addictive and should be managed with caution. If an individual is taking it as prescribed by their doctor, there is minimal risk, but problems can quickly develop if they begin to misuse their prescription. For this reason, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has classified Ativan as a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means that it has medical value but should be treated with caution because it presents a notable risk for addiction.

An Ativan addiction forms when a person begins taking too much of it, either for recreational use or to manage their anxiety. In larger doses, Ativan creates a pleasurable high, which is a sign that the drug is overwhelming the body. Over time, the body adapts to manage Ativan better, first developing a tolerance which decreases its effects (which encourages users to take more and in turn increases the risk), and then eventually forming a dependence.

Once a dependence has formed, the user is officially hooked on the drug because their body has become accustomed to it. If they attempt to quit or abruptly stop use, they will experience symptoms of withdrawal as the body struggles to cope with the absence of the drug. These symptoms are uncomfortable and potentially dangerous at later stages, and a primary reason why Ativan is especially difficult to quit without proper care.

Additionally, since Ativan is an anti-anxiety medication, some people who struggle with anxiety learn to use the medication as a coping mechanism to get through life. These people will use it to manage anxiety that would normally not require medical aid. As such, these individuals can develop a psychological addiction before their body has a chance to develop a dependence to the drug. In these scenarios, a physical addiction is nearly certain to develop overtime.

Some of the common physical and psychological symptoms to watch for include:

Ativan Research

One way to develop a better understanding of Ativan and the risks associated with it is to learn about the demographics and statistics related to it. These can also help to recognize its prevalence and impact on society at large.

Some statistics of note related to Ativan include:

• Women are more likely than men to use Ativan

• Seniors are the leading demographic for using benzodiazepines like Ativan

• In the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, around 18.7 million Americans admitted to misusing prescription drugs like Ativan

• Over the course of a year, one in six Americans will take a psychiatric drug including or similar to Ativan

• Ativan becomes more dangerous when mixed with other substances, particularly alcohol and opioids

Ativan Addiction Treatment

Due to its potency, Ativan is a difficult and sometimes dangerous drug to quit once an addiction has formed. The withdrawal symptoms can easily hold an individual locked in dependence, and without the right tools it may feel impossible to quit. Thankfully, rehab centers are well equipped to handle this situation, and with their experienced staff, an addict can break their addiction in a manner that is as safe and effective as possible.

The most effective way to address a substance use disorder is with inpatient care, which is where a patient resides on-site to receive treatment. In contrast with outpatient care, inpatient rehab allows the individual to begin the healing process in a safe space, removed from triggers and negative influences that contribute to their disorder.

When a person is admitted to an inpatient rehab center for an Ativan addiction, they must first be evaluated to determine the most appropriate course of care. In most cases, treatment often begins with detoxification, a process which involves removing addictive substances from the body. During this process, physicians and nursing personnel supervise and manage the symptoms of withdrawal, cravings, and other health conditions in a medical setting, ensuring the patient’s safety and comfort.

When a patient has been medically cleared they can begin the transition into residential treatment. During this level of care, clinicians work closely with the patient to address the core aspects of their disease and influencing factors, develop healthy coping mechanisms to combat future cravings and confront other areas of their life that have been impacted by addiction. Some common therapeutic techniques utilized during residential treatment include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), holistic treatment, motivational interviewing, family education, relapse prevention and 12-Step Integration.

Due to Ativan’s addictive nature, aftercare or extended treatment is essential for long-term success. Recovery is a daily process that requires commitment and consistency, thus ongoing support is crucial. Like inpatient treatment, aftercare must be customized to fit the specific needs of the individual, which can include but not limited to outpatient therapy, sober living, vocational resources, family therapy, co-occurring disorder treatment and introduction to local 12-Step recovery communities.

Getting Help for an Ativan Addiction

If you or someone you love is currently suffering from an addiction to Ativan, the time to get help is now. While your disease will have you believe that you can do this on your own, the hope for recovery is found through the help of others.

As a facility that specializes in the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, Brookdale can offer you the necessary tools to break free from addiction and on the path toward recovery.

To begin your life…recovered, call our Admissions Specialists today at 855-575-1292.