Ativan Addiction Treatment
How does a person end up addicted to Ativan? It is normal to ask that question considering it is a medication that a doctor typically prescribes to help treat anxiety. But upon learning how the addictive narcotic works, and how common the addiction is, you will understand how easy it is to abuse the drug.
Ativan or Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine which is widely prescribed in the U.S. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), between 1996 and 2013 number of benzodiazepine prescriptions increased in adults by 67%, from 8.1 million to 13.5 million.
Most Ativan addicts did not know they were going to develop a physical dependence on the drug. It helps a person relax, concentrate, and feel less exhausted, so naturally they want more. In the case of the average Ativan abusers, they more than likely took higher and higher doses to achieve the same effectiveness. They might have been trying to prevent withdrawal symptoms, which happens when a person tries to stop abusing prescription drugs cold turkey. This can result in seizures, for example, so it’s important to seek professional help to taper down very slowly. We are here to guide you or a loved one in finding the proper treatment for any possible co-occurring mental health and Ativan abuse disorder. Physical safety and chances for successful treatment depend upon a person’s placement into the right specialized rehab center.
Ativan Addiction and Abuse
Addiction has been branded an equal opportunity disease. A person might have the best heart and soul, but when they are an Ativan addict, they have no control over how drug addiction affects them or the rest of their lives. Are you so focused on chasing the feeling Ativan can give you that you have lost sight of what is happening to you? There is no shame in acknowledging your dependence on the drug. Medical professionals frequently prescribe Ativan for anxiety, the most common psychiatric diagnosis in the U.S. You might be among the 40 million American adults who suffer from this mental disorder. The National Alliance on Mental Health Illness warns that physical dependency can result after only two weeks of use.
Ativan abuse is characterized by the following:
- Taking the drug without a prescription
- Use of the drug in higher doses or more often than prescribed
- Using the drug in non-prescribed ways such as crushing up the pills to inhale, shooting or dissolving in liquid for intravenous use
- Taking the drug for non-medical reasons to get high
Signs and Symptoms of Ativan Abuse
If you think you or your loved one might be addicted to Ativan, but you are not quite sure, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to determine whether or not there is a problem.
- Is my loved one going through their Ativan prescription more quickly than when they first started using it?
- Does my loved one go to great lengths to keep an ongoing supply of Ativan?
- Does my loved one attempt to hide their Ativan use from others?
Your loved one might go to great lengths to keep their addiction a secret. They might spend more time alone, lie to you about where they have been, or how they spend their money. These behaviors can be life-threatening and indicate your loved one needs treatment.
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Find help nowSide Effects of Ativan
- Lightheaded
- Feeling dizzy, drowsy
- Confusion
- Slowed response time
- Poor coordination and motor skills
- Slowed breathing rates
- Lowered ability to concentrate
Overdose Symptoms of Ativan
When taken at high doses, and over a long time, Ativan can cause the following symptoms:
- Dangerously slowed breathing
- Memory issues and forgetfulness
- Lack of motivation
- Decreased interest in pleasurable activities
- Aggression
- Paranoia
Have you mixed a depressant like alcohol with Ativan before? You are never supposed to do this as it increases your risk of seizures, coma, and overdose death. Other serious effects of Ativan abuse can include kidney failure, extreme depression, and respiratory failure.
Ativan Withdrawal and Detox
Are you suffering from Ativan addiction and wondering if it will ever go away? It can, but you will need treatment in a controlled environment, such as a rehab center that specializes in dual-diagnosis. You are fighting a physical and mental disease. There is no “quick fix” for this. We can pair you with an experienced medical professional that will help you achieve a successful detox by carefully tapering the level of Ativan you take. It is challenging to do this alone. The tapering process involves slowly decreasing your drug dosage without bringing on withdrawal symptoms. Otherwise, you might relapse. Once your body adjusts and you can safely quit the drug, then you can begin recovery. Someone will be with you every step of the way, tracking your vitals to ensure your progress in a healthy way. To further discuss the detoxing process for drug addiction or to find the right drug detox for you, please call to speak with a counselor.
Ativan Treatment and Rehab
We want you to have access to all the resources you need to understand and overcome your addiction to Ativan. You have struggled for too long and we want the process of choosing a drug rehab center to be stress-free and easy. With that in mind, there are many different kinds of treatment for Ativan that you might be able to pursue. You might benefit from individual talk therapy, group counseling, or alternative medicine such as hypnosis, acupuncture, chiropractic, or aromatherapy.
We can help you figure that out, but the most important thing is to find a qualified rehab center to treat your co-occurring disease. Without treating your anxiety at the same time you treat your addiction, you might relapse, leave early or have a hard time adjusting and embracing your group. We are familiar with dual-diagnosis treatment centers where experienced medical professionals will help you beat your addiction with hard work and determination.
A typical recovery process would follow these steps:
- Intake: You will check into rehab and assess where the staff will learn about you and your history of drug abuse; your treatment will be based on your own individual medical needs.
- Detox: This is where your character will be tested while you go through the withdrawal stage. You will be monitored by professionals the entire time and given medication if needed.
- Drug Treatment Program: There are many different treatment options available to you. This is where you learn to deal with your addiction, how to change behaviors, and engage in individual and group therapy.
- Relapse Prevention: During your time in rehab, you will learn tools to stay clean and build a network of people to reach out to when you leave.
- Aftercare: After you complete rehab, you will take part in an aftercare program. Aftercare options could include outpatient therapy, AA or NA meetings, or even sober living where you don’t go home but live with other recovering addicts.
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Addressing Ativan Addiction
Coming to Terms with Your Ativan Addiction
Have you convinced yourself that you do not have an addiction to Ativan? Do you feel like nobody understands you? Are you blaming someone else for your problems? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be in denial. Part of the recovery process requires you to consider your behavior and how it has affected your health and well-being and the people around you. It will not be easy, and you need support from professional counselors and staff at a rehab facility where you can challenge and confront your addiction to benzodiazepines surrounded by people who know how to handle what you are going through.
Helping a Friend or Family Member Address Their Ativan Addiction
Do you think you are ready to plan an intervention for your loved one? If you know there is a serious problem, an intervention can help your loved one’s recovery process in the following ways:
- Breakthrough denial
- Raise your loved one’s awareness of the negative consequences of Ativan abuse
- Increase motivation to enter rehab
- Demonstrate support from you, your friends, and other family members
If you are afraid you might upset your loved one, we can help connect you with a professional interventionist or counselor to guide you through the conversation. This will increase your loved one’s opportunity to move forward, enter treatment, and heal from their addiction.
Whether you or some you love is abusing, dependent on, or addicted to drugs, it is crucial that you understand what you are doing to yourself, and that there is help out there for you!
Family Friends and Drug Abuse: How to Recover Together
If you are here seeking help for a loved one, then know that you are taking the first step in helping your loved one reach recovery. Sometimes it takes the act of a brave family member to help the addict see the severity of his/her disease. Addiction is one of the toughest things a family can go through and should be treated as a sickness just as any other disease. We understand that it may be difficult to get your loved one to accept going to treatment for their drug addiction. Addicts often try to rationalize, or flat out deny their disease, so here are some do’s and dont’s while addressing your loved one:
If you know that the person in your life is abusing, dependent, or addicted to drugs, then you should have a talk with them about their problem. If you are not positive that they are going through addiction, you should consider some of the signs and symptoms. Note that different drugs will cause different side effects and symptoms.
Do:
- Tell them that you understand they are going through a tough time
- Let them know that you are not mad and can forgive them for anything they’ve done. Let them know that you are there for them
- Let them know that there are options for them to get help and heal
Don’t:
- Confront them about treatment when they are under the influence Make them feel like a bad person
- Make them feel like they are going away to prison
- Let them convince you that they are in control
The Bottom Line: You Can Beat Drug Addiction
If you’ve reached this point, it is hard to deny that you’re serious about beating your drug addiction, which is something to have pride in. Your life matters, and there is no reason why you should allow a pill to dictate the rest of your life when help is available. Remember, choosing to go into a rehab treatment center for drug abuse will help you rid yourself of the horrible side effects you’ve had to endure, extend your life span, and most importantly, place you on track towards regaining your own life. So don’t fight addiction alone. Instead, allow us to help you live the life you deserve to have.
Payment Options for Ativan Abuse Treatment
Are you wondering if your insurance policy will cover your rehab treatment? You are probably thinking about where you will go, how you will get there, the length of your stay, services provided, and what you will be financially responsible for. That is why we are here – to verify the benefits of your insurance. There are many options for all different budgets, and we don’t want money to be an obstacle for you. Reach out to you to discuss with one of our specialists about your treatment and payment options.
Medical disclaimer:
Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.
Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.