Withdrawal can occur when someone stops taking Ativan after using it regularly. Symptoms can be severe, so a medically supervised detox is recommended.
Article at a Glance:
- Ativan is a benzodiazepine that can cause physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking it.
- Withdrawal symptoms can begin within two days after the last dose and may continue for up to eight weeks,
- To avoid withdrawal, a gradual taper is recommended if you have been taking Ativan for two weeks or longer.
What Is Ativan (Lorazepam) Withdrawal?
Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine drug that can cause physical dependence and psychological addiction. These conditions occur because a person’s body and brain can begin relying on drugs like Ativan to function normally. When someone is dependent on or addicted to Ativan, theymay experienceuncomfortable physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms if the drug is not in their system.
Withdrawal symptoms can make it very difficult to stop using drugs like Ativan. Some people try to quit cold turkey or detox at home, but their attempts are often unsuccessful. Attending a medical detox program at a specialized facility can give you the best chances of getting through the withdrawal phase and onto the next steps of recovery.
FAQs
<span class='accordion-item-title'>Can I get off Ativan cold turkey?</span>
<span class='accordion-item-title'>What about stopping Ativan use after two weeks or a short period of time?</span>
<span class='accordion-item-title'>How long does Ativan take to wear off?</span>
Ativan (Lorazepam) Withdrawal Symptoms
Some of the physical symptoms of Ativan withdrawal mayinclude:
- Anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Memory and concentration problems
- Muscle aches and tension
- Drug cravings
Regarding psychological withdrawal symptoms, many people who are detoxing from Ativan find that they experiencerebound symptoms. Symptoms like insomnia or anxiety are typically what cause someone to use Ativan in the first place, but during the withdrawal and detox process, these symptoms may return and be more severe. Rebound symptoms usually occur in the earliest stages of detox and withdrawal.
How Long Do Ativan (Lorazepam) Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The duration and severity of Ativan withdrawal symptoms often vary from one person to another. Still, the Ativan withdrawal and detox process typically follows a general timeline and treatment approach. The following sections provide an overview of the Ativan withdrawal timeline and available treatment methods.
Ativan Withdrawal Timeline
Ativan has a long half-life ofup to 20 hours, meaning that it takes that long for half the dose to be cleared from your system. It typically takesfive half-livesfor a drug to be fully eliminated from the system.
Withdrawal symptoms can begintwo to seven daysafter taking the last dose of Ativan. Without treatment, symptoms can continue fortwo to eight weeks.
Managing Withdrawal Symptoms
Some people may wonder if there is an Ativan withdrawal medication that can be used to treat symptoms, especially during the Ativan withdrawal peak. There is currently no drug that’s specifically approved for Ativan withdrawal treatment, but other treatment approaches are available. For example, tapering Ativan use and changing to an extremely long-acting benzo like diazepam aretwo common treatment options.
Medical Detox
During amedically assisted detox, patients receive treatment for emerging Ativan withdrawal symptoms. Their medical team monitors the entire detox process, makes necessary medical interventions and ensures symptoms do not become life-threatening. Some detox programs might utilize a tapering process and provide benzodiazepines with longer half-lives, which are both approaches that help wean patients off Ativan. Treatments for co-occurring disorders may be provided, and in some cases, there may be natural herbal remedies or supplements that can help the withdrawal process.
Tapering Plan/Schedule
Tapering involves gradually reducing the dose of a drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms. However, you should not try to taper your dose without the help of a professional. Only a physician can determine the right amount of Ativan to begin with, how gradually you should reduce doses and the schedule you should follow. The tapering process can be complex, especially if other addictions are involved, and it may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete.
If you or someone you love is struggling with Ativan use, The Recovery Village is here to help.Contact us today to learn about detox and treatment programs that can work well for your situation.
Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.
- Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
- The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio,this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
- The Recovery Village Palmer Lake:In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
- The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington,this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
- The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida,this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
- IAFF Center of Excellence:Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
- Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
- The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
- The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
- The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
- The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.
