What Is Ativan?
Many people long for a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Unfortunately, addiction to substances like Ativan can make that difficult to achieve. While it may seem harmless at first, Ativan is a highly dangerous drug with the potential to cause devastating effects—for both the person using it and their loved ones.
What is Addiction?
Addiction affects millions of people every day. This is true both in the United States and around the rest of the world. Many people are also confused about what addiction actually is. Is addiction some type of moral failing or choice? Of course not. The reality is that addiction is a disease.
Most professionals agree that addiction is a disease. This is because, like other chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, addiction will almost always get worse without some type of professional intervention.
Addiction is also a “family disease.” This means that addiction affects everyone involved; not just the individual who is struggling. Additionally, this is why addiction is often referred to as “a tornado that destroys everyone and everything that comes into its path.” However, while it can be devastating to have a loved one struggling with addiction, family members are often the first line of defense in getting their loved one help. However, they must first be able to spot the signs and symptoms of addiction.
How to Recognize Addiction
The signs and symptoms of addiction are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms of addiction. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Not being able to stop once using and/or drinking
- Experiencing a loss of appetite (or excessive appetite) and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and wellbeing
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Experiencing impaired judgment
- Having suicidal ideations
People often minimize addiction or even falsely categorize it as a “choice.” However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner rather than later is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. This is also true with those who use Ativan.
What Is Ativan?
What is Ativan? Ativan is the brand name for a benzodiazepine known as lorazepam. According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Lorazepam, by Doctors Ghiasi, Bhansali, and Marwaha, “Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms associated with anxiety disorders, anxiety-related insomnia, anesthesia premedication in adults to relieve anxiety or induce sedation or amnesia, and treatment of status epilepticus. Lorazepam is favored in inpatient settings for its rapid onset of action (1-3 minutes intravenously).”
While there are responsible uses for Ativan, including treatment for anxiety, many people use it recreationally. This is dangerous, especially because Ativan can be addictive.
Is Ativan Addictive?
Is Ativan addictive? The answer is an emphatic yes. It is also extremely dangerous and disruptive.
According to the Mental Health Clinician, “Benzodiazepine (BZD) abuse has reached epidemic levels and results in poor outcomes, particularly when combined with concomitant central nervous system depressants. BZDs are abused most commonly in combination with opioids and alcohol. Emergency department visits and related deaths have soared in recent years.”
Is Ativan Addiction Treatable?
The good news is that with professional help, Ativan addiction can be treated. The key is to utilize as many methods, and modalities as possible. This is known as the multi-angled approach.
The most common ways to treat Ativan addiction is with psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). It is also treated effectively with experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy and art therapy, and holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation. The key is to find a treatment plan that works and stick to it.
Long-Term Success With The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive with a focus on the future.
Recovery is out there. There is hope. We can help.
Recovery is out there. There is hope. We can help.
Ativan is a highly dangerous and addictive benzodiazepine. That is why understanding Ativan and how dangerous and addictive it can be can be highly beneficial. This is also true for getting to know some effective recovery options. The good news is there are many means, methods, and modalities for long-term recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
