Ativan Withdrawal and Ativan Detox
Siobhan Morse, the executive director of the National Institute for Holistic Addiction Studies, discusses Ativan withdrawal and detox in this Special Report.
What is Ativan?
Ativan, also known as lorazepam, is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.
This is the class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents, sleep medications, and muscle relaxants.
Ativan affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Ativan Withdrawal and Ativan Detox
Ativan works by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, called GABA, which inhibits the nervous system, reducing states of mental and physical overexcitement.
What is Ativan withdrawal?
Ativan is a high potency, short acting benzodiazepine that has the high addiction potential and is only recommended for short-term use, two to four weeks.
Tolerance to Ativan can occur even with short-term consecutive use.
The withdrawal syndrome can cause mild to extreme symptoms if abruptly discontinued or decreased too quickly.
Ativan is more likely to cause a severe withdrawal syndrome compared to longer acting benzodiazepines, and therefore a gradual dose reduction is required.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of Ativan?
Here are the withdrawal symptoms from benzos, and the thing to keep in mind is that some withdrawal symptoms can last for up to one year: personality changes, sensitivity to sound or light, panic attacks, fever, headaches, anxiety, tension, depression, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, confusion, sweating and seizures.
Seizures are often the most dangerous withdrawal syndrome.
What is Ativan detox?
Withdrawal from Ativan should only be done under the care of a health practitioner.
The safest way is to withdraw at an in-patient medical detoxification facility.
At an in-patient medical detox facility with a protocol that includes: hydration, vitamins and supplements, most patients can safely stop taking Ativan in about seven days.
Patients may withdraw from Ativan on an outpatient basis, but it will normally take at least four weeks.
Ativan Withdrawal and Detox
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