Ativan Withdrawal Symptoms and Timelines

Ativan users can build a tolerance and a physical dependence over time and with increasing doses. If they were to stop taking Ativan suddenly, they would experience Ativan withdrawal symptoms that can be intense and possibly life-threatening.

Ativan, the brand name for lorazepam, is a prescription medication that belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs. It is commonly used to treat various conditions due to its calming and sedative effects. Ativan enhances the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain that has a calming effect.

Common medical uses of Ativan include:

Anxiety disorder treatment
Insomnia treatment, particularly when difficulty sleeping is due to anxiety or stress
Seizure disorder management
Sedation for surgical procedures

Ativan Withdrawal Symptoms

Ativan withdrawal symptoms can be challenging and potentially dangerous, especially for those who have used the medication for an extended period or at high doses. The symptoms and timeline of Ativan withdrawal can vary based on several factors, including the duration of use, dosage, and individual differences in metabolism and health.

Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:

Psychological Symptoms

Anxiety
Irritability
Insomnia
Depression
Panic attacks
Hallucinations

Physical Symptoms

Sweating
Tremors
Headaches
Muscle pain and stiffness
Nausea and vomiting
Increased heart rate
Hyperventilation

Neurological Symptoms

Seizures (in severe cases)
Sensitivity to light and sound
Tingling or numbness
Cognitive difficulties (e.g., memory issues, confusion)

Ativan Withdrawal Timeline

The timeline for Ativan withdrawal symptoms can be divided into three main phases. Each phase involves Ativan withdrawal symptoms that build on each other as time progresses.

Early Withdrawal (First 1-3 days)

The first withdrawal symptoms begin within 24-48 hours after the last dose. Your body realizes lorazepam is not being consumed again, and you may experience some uncomfortable signs that the substance is clearing from your body.

Early Ativan withdrawal symptoms include:

Increased anxiety
Irritability
Insomnia
Mild physical symptoms (e.g., sweating and tremors)

Acute Withdrawal (4-14 days After Last Use)

Ativan withdrawal symptoms intensify and peak within the first week after the last use. This phase may not happen if you’re detoxing from light prescription use.

Acute lorazepam withdrawal symptoms include:

Severe anxiety and panic attacks
Tremors
Nausea and vomiting
Muscle pain
Potential seizures
Sleep disturbances
Heightened sensory sensitivity

Protracted Withdrawal (Weeks to Months After Last Use)

While the intensity of symptoms generally decreases after the acute phase, some people may experience protracted withdrawal symptoms for weeks or months after stopping lorazepam use.

Signs that you’re dealing with protracted Ativan withdrawal may happen in unpredictable waves and include:

Lingering anxiety that wasn’t present previously
Depression
Sleep disturbances
Cognitive issues

Dangers of Withdrawing from Ativan

While Ativan withdrawal symptoms can happen even after short-term use, longer-term use is associated with dangerous symptoms. One of the most severe risks of benzodiazepine withdrawal, including Ativan, is the potential for seizures. It is not recommended to quit using Ativan (lorazepam) “cold turkey” or without the guidance of medical supervision.

Abruptly stopping Ativan use without tapering dosages can also cause debilitating panic attacks–these can be so acute that they feel like a heart attack. The risk for severe depression can increase, leading to suicidal thoughts or actions.

It’s essential to know about Ativan withdrawal symptoms to be able to seek medical care. It’s not unusual for people to return to lorazepam use because withdrawal symptoms feel so uncomfortable or dangerous, leading to relapse.

Ativan Detox

Due to the potential dangers of Ativan withdrawal symptoms, a medically supervised detox is utilized to keep individuals safe. During detoxification, medical professionals monitor the individual closely for any signs of withdrawal symptoms.

A common approach to Ativan detoxification involves gradually tapering the medication’s dosage. Over weeks or months, the dosage of Ativan given is slowly reduced. This process is conducted conservatively to help minimize withdrawal effects. Sometimes, a longer-acting benzodiazepine is used for this process.

A tapering schedule is individualized based on a person’s unique needs, including the severity and duration of Ativan dependence. The person’s overall health status will also influence how the detox is performed.

Additionally, medications may be employed to alleviate specific withdrawal symptoms, such as anticonvulsants for seizures or antidepressants for mood disturbances.

Ativan Addiction Treatment

Realizing you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to Ativan can be eye-opening. Chances are, your introduction to this medication was based on seeking support for anxiety or insomnia, and your use grew from there. Fortunately, it’s possible to navigate the process of treating Ativan addiction with support to guide you toward recovery.

Detoxification 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 therapy, counseling, or rehabilitation programs, to address underlying issues and prevent relapse.

Seeking guidance for Ativan addiction can be a daunting process, but let Vogue Recovery Centers help you. If you or a loved one needs help moving past the grips of an addiction to Ativan, call Vogue today. With Las Vegas and Phoenix locations, we can help you find a place to move past this stage and toward recovery.

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7841856
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657308/