Acute withdrawal from Ativan, the brand name for the drug lorazepam, can last for about 4 to 8 weeks after the last dose. Protracted withdrawal symptoms may persist for months or even years after Ativan use stops.
Withdrawal is a state where your body has a physical dependence on the drug, and cannot operate properly when deprived of it. Withdrawal from Ativan may occur after taking the drug for more than 4 weeks and the drug use abruptly stops.
Ativan is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States. Its potential for substance abuse and drug addiction is understood by health organizations, and abusing Ativan can increase your risk of severe withdrawal symptoms.
Ativan Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms of Ativan may include:
- headache
- rebound anxiety
- panic attacks
- depression
- muscle pain
- hand tremors
- psychosis
- seizures
- insomnia
- increased heart rate
- drug cravings
- seizures
The severity of withdrawal symptoms may worsen if Ativan was taken for a long period of time, or taken in high doses.
Lorazepam Withdrawal Timeline
Acute withdrawal symptoms may begin less than one week after stopping the drug, and last for about 6 weeks.
Lorazepam may be considered either a short-acting or intermediate-acting benzodiazepine. The short- or intermediate-acting nature of the drug may also extend to the withdrawal period, which may be longer than benzos such as triazolam, but shorter than diazepam and alprazolam.
Unlike withdrawal from other prescription drugs, benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms may fluctuate over time. Patients may experience withdrawal symptoms that are mild one day and severe withdrawal symptoms the next.
Close monitoring of patients during the acute withdrawal phase may be necessary.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
After the acute withdrawal phase, patients may still experience persisting withdrawal symptoms for weeks, months, or even years after the last dose of Ativan. This is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS.
Long-term benzodiazepine use can lead to long-term changes in brain activity, motor function, and mental health. These changes can cause a long-term decline in memory and cognition, mental health, and the onset of sensory disturbances.
More research may be needed to establish the risk factors and underlying causes of post-acute withdrawal syndrome. Difficulties caused by PAWS can cause some patients to relapse.
Lorazepam Withdrawal Management
Lorazepam withdrawal can be uncomfortable, painful, and even life-threatening. General withdrawal management guidelines may include the reduction of symptoms. Medications such as anticonvulsants may be used to address seizures, while flumazenil can reverse the side effects of lorazepam.
Opioids may not be recommended for severe pain caused by withdrawal, due to the risk of drug interactions between opioids and benzodiazepines.
Withdrawal may be an inevitable part of the recovery process, due to the reduced use of the drug over time. Medical detox and treatment programs may aim to make the Ativan detox and withdrawal process more manageable.
Tapering
Lorazepam withdrawal can be managed by following a tapering schedule, which is the gradual reduction of benzodiazepine dosage over time. Tapering can make the withdrawal process less painful.
Instead of entering a sudden state of withdrawal caused by quitting cold turkey, the body can learn to operate with lower doses over time, until abstinence is achieved.
Benzodiazepine tapers may substitute lorazepam for diazepam, which can reduce withdrawal symptoms due to its longer half-life.
Tapering can be a monthly or even yearly process, as doses may be reduced on a weekly basis. Setbacks in a patient’s health may further prolong the withdrawal process, but medical professionals may recommend a taper as a safer long-term option compared to rapid discontinuation.
Ativan Addiction Treatment Options
Mental health services and addiction treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy can teach patients skills to stay sober in the long-term. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be focused around identifying and avoiding triggers that may lead to a relapse.
Comprehensive addiction treatment programs may address a patient’s physical and mental health in order to set them up for long-term success. These programs are available on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
To find out if our substance use disorder treatment options work for you or your loved one, please contact Northeast Addictions Treatment Center today.
Written by
Northeast Addition Editorial Team
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This page does not provide medical advice.
