Ativan addiction

Ativan is the most common brand name for Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine medicine that is only available on prescription in the UK. It was first synthesised during the 1960s and has been used since for a range of anxiety and sleeping disorders and sometimes for conditions that cause seizures.

While Ativan is very effective at calming the mind and central nervous system, its pleasant, sedative effects also mean that it has a high risk of being abused. When this happens, Ativan addiction is often not far behind, which is why in the UK, Lorazepam and all its brands are Class C drugs and Schedule 3 controlled drugs. This means they are illegal to supply or possess without prescription and can only be prescribed under specific circumstances.

As well as benzodiazepine addiction, other common Ativan side effects include:

• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Weakness

Ativan addiction/Lorazepam addiction is a deeply damaging condition where you can’t stop taking the medicine even if you want to. Sometimes, Ativan addiction begins with prescription use that gets out of hand and other times, as a result of “recreational” Ativan abuse or self-medication without a prescription.

However, when you start using Ativan, you can quickly get used to its effects and start using more than originally. This can cause levels of Lorazepam in your system to rise so high that your brain can’t function like it’s supposed to without it. This is called physical Ativan dependency, and as with other forms of benzodiazepines, it can create terrible withdrawal symptoms if you try to cut down or stop, such as rebound anxiety and insomnia, agitation and depression.

These symptoms can make it very hard to quit on their own, but alongside them, a psychological reliance can also start to form. This means you start to need Ativan to get through normal life and keep using it despite becoming aware of your dependency and the harm it is causing. Once Lorazepam becomes a necessity, you are in the clutches of a full-blown drug addiction.

This may seem like an easy question to answer, but Lorazepam addiction can be very sneaky. If you were prescribed Lorazepam for a genuine reason, addiction can take hold long before you realise it. Likewise, if you have been using it for self-medication or recreational Lorazepam abuse, you may still believe you have it under control.

Here are some signs of Lorazepam addiction that may highlight a potential issue:

• Taking more Ativan than you were prescribed or without a prescription at all
• Shopping around different doctors for extra Lorazepam
• Spending all your time and energy to get and use Lorazepam at the expense of loved ones and responsibilities
• Experiencing Ativan withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it or try to cut down
• Frequently having memory and concentration problems
• Spending more money than you can afford on Lorazepam medicine
• Continuing Lorazepam use even though you recognise these problems

Ativan’s sedative effects mean that it can be a very attractive drug for people with various issues and intentions. However, years of research have found that some people are more likely to develop an Ativan addiction than others. These include people with:

Substance abuse history in the family

Addiction has a strong genetic element, which is why it is often passed down generations. It is important that you speak to your doctor about any history of substance abuse in your family so they can decide if Ativan is right for you.

Underlying mental health issues

Self-medicating with Ativan is a common route to Ativan addiction, as you can quickly become reliant on it to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety and other psychological issues.

Stressful lives or unresolved trauma

If you have a very stressful life or a history of trauma that is still causing you distress, you may become dependent on Ativan to cope with the difficulties they make in your life.

Use excessive Ativan for a long time

The more Ativan you use over an extended period, the more likely tolerance and dependence will develop. This is the reason that Ativan is usually recommended for short-term prescription only.

Impulsive personalities

If you are naturally impulsive or prone to taking risks, you may be more likely to experiment with Ativan and become addicted.

Friends or family who use drugs

Being surrounded by other people who take Ativan or other drugs can increase both your chances of taking it and developing a subsequent addiction.

Ativan addiction can cause serious health, personal and social issues, which can spiral out of control without professional help. Here are some of the biggest dangers:

Ativan overdose

Taking too much Ativan can slow down your breathing and heart rate so much that it becomes life-threatening. Ativan overdoses can happen more easily than you might think, especially if you mix Ativan with other substances.

Physical health problems

Using Ativan a lot over a long time can hurt your liver and kidneys, and this can lead to serious health problems that need medical treatment.

Mental health issues

Ativan addiction can make underlying anxiety and depression worse. In the most serious cases, it can even lead to serious issues like suicidal thoughts.

Memory problems

Chronic Lorazepam abuse can make it hard to remember even simple things. This can be really frustrating and make everyday life very challenging.

Confusion

Ativan addiction can make it feel like your brain is in a fog, and you can put yourself in dangerous situations as you have trouble thinking clearly.

Drowsiness

You will often feel really sleepy when addicted to Ativan, even if you have had enough rest. This can make it hard to stay awake during the day and can affect your ability to do anything that requires focus.

Neglecting responsibilities

You may start ignoring important things like schoolwork, your job or family duties. This can lead to bigger problems down the road, like poor school results, relationship issues or losing your job.

Ativan addiction treatment involves drug detox and specially designed drug rehab to address both the physical and non-physical aspects.

During Ativan addiction detox, you will be guided by a medical team to taper off Ativan, breaking your physical dependence slowly.

Once all the Ativan is out of your system, Ativan addiction rehab provides different types of therapy to help you work through any of the underlying issues discussed above that have contributed to your addiction.

Aftercare and relapse prevention planning help you use the skills you have learned in rehab when you return home.

If you or a loved one is struggling with Ativan addiction, Oasis Bradford can help. We provide comprehensive treatment that combines Ativan addiction detox and rehab and a full aftercare programme to keep you on track. Take action now and contact Oasis Bradford for more information about treatment programmes. Today could be the first day of a whole new life.