Ativan is a Schedule IV controlled substance that can cause addiction, dependence and a variety of side effects. Fortunately, treatment is available for Ativan addiction.
Article at a Glance:
Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine and an addictive Schedule IV controlled substance.
Taking Ativan triggers the brain’s reward circuit, increasing the risk for addiction.
After decreasing for several years, benzodiazepine overdose deaths are once again rising.
Ativan addiction treatment can include detox as well as inpatient and outpatient care.
[elementor-template id="4848"]What Causes Ativan Addiction and Dependence?
Like other drugs of abuse, Ativan triggers the brain’s reward circuit byincreasing the amount of dopamine, the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter. This causes a person to want to keep taking Ativan to achieve the same feel-good effects.
People may think that if they take a very small dose of Ativan, they’ll be less likely to develop an addiction. However, this isn’t necessarily true. Everyone’s body is different, and a person could develop an Ativan addiction even when taking a smaller dose.
Ativan Addiction Sign, Symptoms and Effects
There may be some outward signs that a person is using Ativan, particularly if they take high doses. Signs of Ativan misuse may include side effectslike:
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Unsteadiness
When a person is dependent on Ativan, they can experience withdrawal symptoms like nausea and anxiety if they miss a dose or don’t take enough. They’ll also have a tolerance to Ativan, so they’ll need to take more to experience the desired effects. Cravings are an indication of psychological dependence, and they can interfere with responsibilities and relationships.
Behavioral Symptoms of Ativan Abuse
Addiction can cause people to act in certain ways. If someone develops an Ativan addiction, they may start:
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Lying or stealing to support their addiction
- Taking more Ativan than they’re supposed to
- Taking doses more often than their prescription indicates
- Becoming preoccupied with misusing the drug and securing more of it
- Hiding things from friends and loved ones
- Losing interest in things they used to enjoy
- Missing school, professional or social obligations
- Doctor shopping, or going to one or more doctors to get more than one prescription within the same time frame
- Having uncharacteristic run-ins with law enforcement
- Uncharacteristically borrowing money from friends, family and co-workers
Ativan (lorazepam) Addiction and Abuse Statistics
The misuse of prescription substances, including benzodiazepines, has been on the rise in the United States in recent years. Hospital visits and overdose deaths related to these drugs have also been increasing. Recent statistics about benzodiazepines include:
- Benzodiazepine overdosesdecreasedfrom 2017 to 2019 but increased from 2019 to 2020 along with the supply of illicit benzodiazepines.
- As of 2020,almost 93%of benzodiazepine-related overdose deaths also involved an opioid.
- About1.8%of U.S. adolescents and adults abused benzodiazepines in 2019.
- In 2020,about 7%of U.S. high school seniors had abused tranquilizers like Ativan.
Specialized Treatment and Therapy Options
The Recovery Village is a full-service rehab facility that treats a wide range of drug and alcohol addictions, including Ativan. However, our addiction experts do far more than help people end substance use — we provide a full continuum of care that addresses all aspects of a person’s physical, mental and behavioral health.
Treatment programsat The Recovery Village include residential care, outpatient services, partial hospital programming, family programs, aftercare and much more. At our rehab center, treatment for Ativan addiction will typically include:
- In-depth evaluation and treatment planning tailored to the individual
- Supervision from nursing staff
- Medication management
- Psychiatric care
- Continual review of treatment and objectives
- Individual, group and recreational therapy
- Aftercare and discharge planning
If you or someone you love is struggling with an Ativan addiction, help is available at The Recovery Village.Contact us today to learn more about treatment options that can help you take the first steps toward a healthier, drug-free future.
Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their Ambien addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.
- Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
- The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio,this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
- The Recovery Village Palmer Lake:In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
- The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington,this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
- The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida,this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
- IAFF Center of Excellence:Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
- Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
- The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
- The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
- The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
- The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.