Ativan (Lorazepam)

The anxiety drug Lorazepam is known generically as Ativan. Moreover, it is a rapid benzodiazepine medication that is intended to treat anxiety temporarily. Also, it can alleviate nausea and vomiting brought on by chemotherapy, alcohol detox, or convulsions.

Ativan functions similarly to other benzodiazepines by enhancing the actions of GABA, a substance that is produced naturally by the body. Further, this has an impact on the central nervous system, causing the user to feel relaxed and comfortable. In addition, the drug Ativan comes under Schedule IV.

Statistics

• Ativan addiction is widespread in the US, where the drug remains one of the most widely used sedatives.
• In America, prescription medications like Ativan are misused by 18.7 million people (6.9 percent of people), according to SAMHSA's 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Addiction.
• During the year 2016, approximately 23,000 children and 497,000 adults used sedatives regularly.
• In 2013, 13.5 million medications for benzodiazepines were written annually, a 67 percent rise (from 8.1 million in 1999).
• Over a year, one in 6 individuals in America takes at least one mental medication like Ativan.
• Even though one needs psychiatric medications like Ativan for brief use, over 80% of persons who take them do so regularly.

Signs And Symptoms

Background of drug use disorders involving drugs or alcohol may increase the risk of Ativan dependence.

A common indication of Ativan addiction is:

• Trying to stop taking Ativan but failing to do so
• Feeling ashamed about the use of Ativan or concealing it from family members
• Unable to operate correctly without Ativan
• Trying to isolate from friends/relatives
• Ignoring obligations at work, school, or home
• Facing legal or financial issues as a result of Ativan abuse
• Taking a long time to obtain Ativan, use it, or restore from the use

Effects

Abuse of Ativan can cause short-term side effects such as intense exhilaration, sleepiness, slowed respiration, lack of appetite, trembling, delusions, sickness, vomiting, violent behavior, low morale, and anxiety.

The long-term effects of abusing Ativan may include:

• Cognitive decline.
• Melancholy, concentration problems.
• Memory issues.
• An increased risk of overdosing and mishaps.
• Convulsions, unconsciousness, physical addiction, and dependence.

Treatment

Recovering from Ativan addiction often involves several therapeutic interventions, such as detox, rehabilitation, sober life, and follow-up.

So, people in rehabilitation receive the advice frequently to continue their inpatient detox with outpatient facility rehab after Ativan detoxification. For instance, the main advantages of going to inpatient treatment after the cleanser are to

• Learn more about the nature of alcoholism;
• Put preventative care strategies into practice;
• Deal with the root problems of the addictive behavior;
• Recognize and alter harmful attributes that lead to the addictive behavior;
• Take part in an ordinary person, band, and family counseling;
• Lay a solid foundation in abstinence with the 12-step task.

Patients can anticipate the following systems who participate in a residential program at an Ativan addiction rehab clinic:

• Individual, familial, and group counseling sessions; secure, sober, and encouraging community living conditions;
• Intensified 12-step work
• Organized daily program
• Female treatment and living conditions
• Academic lectures
• Psychological therapy and other kinds of specialized therapies (music education, pet therapy, art classes, etc.)