Knowing how long Ativan does stay in your system is vital for several reasons. Drug testing for employment or legal purposes is standard, so understanding the Ativan detection window is essential. Even if you are taking benzos as prescribed, drug test evaluators need to know if Ativan may be detected in your body at therapeutic levels.
Ativan is a medication belonging to the benzodiazepine class, also known as its generic form, lorazepam. It is best known for its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and sedative purposes. Ativan enhances the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain that has a calming effect.
Additionally, understanding how long Ativan is in your system ensures effective treatment while minimizing side effects and avoiding unintentional misuse or overdose. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions about your daily activities and responsibilities.
What Is Ativan?
Ativan is a benzo prescribed for various reasons, particularly for the treatment of anxiety disorders. People may utilize Ativan or other benzos to manage sleep issues due to their sedative properties. Ativan is also widely used for seizure disorder management and as a sedation aid for surgical procedures.
Ativan is typically taken in tablet form but can be administered via oral solutions or injected. A healthcare professional determines the dosage and duration of treatment based on the patient’s condition and response to the medication.
Ideally, a substance like Ativan will only be used short-term to treat anxiety disorders while someone is learning behavioral strategies to cope with anxiety triggers (with psychotherapy or other mental health interventions). Misuse often begins when people use benzos for mild bouts of nervousness or stress that a round of helpful breathing techniques or other similar coping strategies can ease.
How Long Does Ativan Stay in Your System?
The length of time Ativan stays in your system varies based on several factors, including the method of administration, dosage, frequency of use, and metabolism. The type of test used to detect it can impact how long lorazepam can be found in your body. These timelines are approximate:
- Blood: detectable in the blood for about 6-24 hours after last use
- Urine: detectable in urine for up to 6 days after the previous dose
- Saliva: detectable in saliva typically within 8 hours up to 2 days after last use
- Hair: detectable in hair for up to a month or even longer following the previous use
Factors That Influence the Length of Time Ativan Stays in Your System
Factors that influence the length of time Ativan stays in your system can include:
- Dosage and frequency: Higher doses and frequent use can extend detection times
- Metabolism: Individuals with faster metabolisms may eliminate Ativan more quickly.
- Age: Older adults tend to have a slower metabolism, potentially extending the detection window
- Body composition: Higher body fat may lead to longer retention as Ativan is fat-soluble.
- Overall health: General health conditions can affect how quickly the body processes lorazepam
- Drug interactions: Other medications and co-occurring substance use can influence how quickly Ativan is metabolized and excreted
What Is the Half-Life of Ativan?
A drug’s half-life describes the time it takes for the substance’s concentration to decrease by half, as tested in the blood. Ativan’s half-life ranges from 9 to 19 hours, meaning that it takes about 9 to 19 hours for the drug’s concentration in the bloodstream to decrease by half.
The half-time time frame can differ based on a few variables:
- Age: Older adults may have a longer half-life due to a slower metabolism
- Liver function: Impaired liver function can increase the half-life of lorazepam
- Dosage and frequency: Higher or more frequent use can affect the drug’s elimination rate
- Individual metabolic rate: A higher rate of metabolism will often process the drug more quickly through your system
Understanding the half-life is essential for determining the dosing schedule and for managing potential withdrawal symptoms if discontinuing the use of lorazepam.
Drug Tests With False Positives
A false positive test, or a drug test that incorrectly shows up as positive for a particular substance, can occur with testing for benzos. False positives can occur due to cross-reactivity with other substances, whether they be prescription or recreational drugs.
Other benzodiazepines, such as Valium or Xanax, can be mistaken for Ativan in testing as well. Some SSRIs, like Zoloft, may also cause false positives. It may be surprising to know that over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and acid reflux drugs, have been reported to cause false positives for benzos anecdotally.
Signs of Ativan Abuse and Addiction
Ativan, a powerful prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders, can lead to dependency and addiction if misused or taken for extended periods. Recognizing the signs of Ativan abuse and addiction is crucial for seeking timely help. Some key signs of Ativan abuse include:
- Tolerance: The need for larger doses of Ativan to achieve the same calming effects is a clear sign of developing tolerance, a stepping stone towards addiction.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability, sweating, nausea, and even seizures when not taking Ativan indicates physical dependence.
- Loss of Control: Using more Ativan than intended or being unable to cut down despite wanting to are strong indicators of addiction.
- Preoccupation with Obtaining and Using Ativan: Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of Ativan suggests an addiction problem.
- Neglecting Responsibilities: Failing to fulfill work, school, or home responsibilities due to Ativan use points towards an abuse issue.
- Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences: Persisting in using Ativan despite facing legal issues, deteriorating relationships, or health problems shows a lack of regard for personal well-being.
- Social Withdrawal and Isolation: Withdrawing from social activities and isolating oneself to use Ativan indicates an unhealthy reliance on the drug.
Identifying these signs early can be lifesaving. Seeking professional help from reputable recovery centers like Vogue Recovery Center can provide the necessary support and treatment for overcoming Ativan abuse and addiction.
Ativan Addiction Treatment
Medications like Ativan are beneficial for their medically intended purposes but carry a risk of addiction. Misusing lorazepam once or twice can spiral into realizing you’ve developed a dependence. It’s alarming to recognize that your attachment to a medication could be an actual addiction issue.
Medical detox is often the first step in a comprehensive treatment plan for Ativan dependence or addiction. Following detoxification, individuals may engage in further treatment, such as individual and group therapy or a rehab program, to address underlying issues and prevent relapse.
Does Insurance Pay for Benzodiazepine Treatment?
Get Help for Ativan Addiction
One of the clearest signs of prescription drug addiction is continuing to use a substance despite its harmful impact on your well-being. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with Ativan addiction, contact Vogue Recovery Centers today. You can access the help you deserve with locations in Las Vegas and Phoenix.
Seeking help with addiction is a brave act, but it’s possible to navigate the process of treating Ativan addiction with support from professionals who care. Don’t wait to seek the help you deserve. If you or someone you care about is struggling, call us today for a free, confidential consultation. Recovery starts with a single step.
Medically Reviewed by Kelsey Jones, MS, LPC
