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Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine prescribed for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and other conditions. The drug is commonly sold under the brand name Ativan. As an injection, Ativan has a very rapid onset of action from 1-30 minutes. Ativan will also stay in the body long throughout the day. Aside from the injection, Ativan also comes as an oral tablet. Like other benzodiazepines, lorazepam acts via the GABA receptors to elicit central nervous system depressant effects. The indiscriminate use of Ativan is a risk factor for addiction which may be fatal.
This article will explain the signs and symptoms of lorazepam abuse, addiction symptoms, and how to seek help to mitigate the life-threatening effects of the drug.
What is Lorazepam
Lorazepam is a sedative-hypnotic or anxiolytic medication that is sold under the brand Ativan. Although Ativan is the most common brand name, lorazepam is also sold under other brands such as Lorazepam Intensol, Loreev XR, and others. The drug is available as both a tablets or a solution for intramuscular or intravenous injection, respectively.
The drug can be used to induce memory loss during surgery and to sedate patients. It can also be used along with other drugs for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome that is caused by cocaine.
Analogs of Ativan includes other members of the class benzodiazepines: estazolam (Prosom), flurazepam (Dalmane), quazepam (Dormalin), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), diazepam (Valium), and nitrazepam (Mogadon).
The Effects of Lorazepam Abuse
Lorazepam is intended for short-term use. Using Lorazepam over a longer period of time can lead to tolerance; a scenario where the user will have to take an increased dose to achieve the same therapeutic effects. From there, the users will be dependent and may find it difficult to function normally without taking the drug. Uncontrolled dependence is a risk factor for addiction, and at that point, users will begin to show the symptoms of addiction. Ativan is addictive in small doses even if taken as prescribed. As a result, it is classified as a Schedule IV drug by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
Mental Effect
Ativan works by acting on the major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain. The drug works by slowing down the brain’s normal electrical activity. Ativan is used to treat anxiety disorder symptoms such as restlessness, tension, and irritability.
The mental effects of lorazepam abuse are:
Physical Effect
The physical effects of lorazepam abuse are:
Symptoms and Signs of Lorazepam Use
Ativan is addictive in small doses and over a long period of time. The drug has behavioral, physical, and psychological signs and symptoms. They are as follows:
Ativan has the paradoxical effect of causing agitation, irritability, seizures, and aggressiveness, which are the opposite of the desired outcome.
The memory impairment of lorazepam may be irreversible, especially in aging people. This causes them to be less aware of their environment and poses an increased risk of accidents. Knowing Lorazepam dependence symptoms will help you to know when to seek medical intervention.
Lorazepam Treatment Options
Withdrawal syndrome makes it difficult to discontinue the use of Lorazepam after long-term use; it is the reason why many users are not successful in their attempt to quit the drug. The extent of withdrawal symptoms experienced by a user is a factor of the dose, the frequency, and the duration of use. Physical, emotional, and psychological factors also play into the withdrawal symptoms.
The treatment options are focused on easing the side effects of Ativan withdrawal in the users and improving coping skills. Treatment options are:
Medical Treatment for Lorazepam Addiction
Medical detox is the medical treatment option for lorazepam addiction. This is the medically supervised tapering off of lorazepam. Medical detox lessens the effects of the withdrawal symptoms on the patient. Medical detox may be complemented by prescribing some medications.
Melatonin is among the drugs that may be prescribed to assist in the process of withdrawal. Melatonin is a sleep-inducing hormone that is used to treat insomnia; however, the research regarding melatonin is still up in the air.
Paroxetine (Paxil) is beneficial to ease some of the withdrawal symptoms. Paxil is an antidepressant of the SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) class. Physicians may prescribe medication to complement the medical detox to address certain symptoms during the withdrawal period; however, there are no specific medications for benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Inpatient Treatment vs. Outpatient Treatment for Lorazepam Addiction
The inpatient rehab center is for users with severe symptoms and are at fatal risk levels. Outpatient facilities are for patients with less severe symptoms. This treatment style allows patients to maintain their daily routine while receiving treatment. The inpatient treatment option is usually more expensive.
Process and Stages of Lorazepam Addiction Treatment at the VipVorobjev Clinic
Addiction is a tough battle and you don’t have to fight it by yourself. We understand how tough the battle can be, and that is why at the VipVorobjev Clinic, we have an appropriate plan to address the challenge. The plan starts with an enlightening initial consultation to quiet your fears. This consultation is with licensed and professional addiction therapists, done in order to get patients in the right mindset before the treatment is initiated. The sequential treatment approaches are diagnostics, detoxification, and therapy:
Diagnosis of Lorazepam Addiction
The diagnostic step is an exhaustive procedure to understand the extent of a user's addiction and his or her health status to design a personalized treatment plan. The patient is involved in the treatment plan to increase compliance with the treatment.
Lorazepam Detoxification Treatment
Our lorazepam detoxification program is an expert-supervised procedure to remove the drugs from the user's body. Detoxification is a gradual taper off of the drug to eliminate or reduce the severity of the withdrawal symptoms that may follow the discontinuation of the drug.
Average Length of Lorazepam Treatment
The average length of the lorazepam addiction treatment depends on the overall health status of the user, the severity of the addiction, and existing support systems. The program usually varies from a few weeks to a couple of months. Patients with severe symptoms are treated in the inpatient facility, while those with less severe symptoms are treated in the outpatient facility. The outpatient facility allows the patient to continue with their daily routine while receiving their therapy.
Effectiveness of Treatment for Lorazepam Addiction
Countless positive feedback provided by our previously satisfied patients has affirmed the effectiveness of our treatment procedure for lorazepam addiction. We advise our patients to live in an environment that will promote a drug-free healthy life to aid in their total recovery.
Cost of Lorazepam Addiction Treatment
The cost of our lorazepam addiction treatment program is proportional to the length of the addiction schedule, and whether the patients are treated in the inpatient or outpatient facilities. The treatment usually costs at 2,700 €.
Doctors
VipVorobjev Clinic's lorazepam addiction program and facilities are top-quality. Our drug addiction specialists are top-notch and highly experienced with a proven record of hundreds of satisfied patients. Our addiction therapists only use the best practices for lorazepam treatment.
Patents and Certificates
Our excellent acute care for lorazepam addiction treatment at VipVorobjev Clinic makes us stand out among other facilities. We are DAACC (Drug, Alcohol & Addiction Counselor Certification) certified and registered addiction specialists. Our job is to help you break the cycle of substance abuse and begin a new life.
