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If you or someone you care about is misusing Ativan, you may find yourself wondering how long it stays in your body. Ativan, also known as lorazepam, is a benzodiazepine that has a high potential for misuse – In 2015, 1,672 of Oregon’s emergency room visits were due to benzodiazepine overdose. Addiction rates in Oregon are the second highest in the nation. In other words, if this is something you’re currently managing, you’re not alone.
At Serenity Lane, we know how overwhelming, all-consuming, and stressful addiction can be. If your mind is racing about the next drug test at work or if you’re wondering how long it will take for your body to be “free” of Ativan, read on to find some answers.
Before we begin, there’s one “golden” rule about determining detection time that you should be aware of: not every person is the same. This means that the amount of time Ativan stays in your system may differ slightly from, say, Johnny down the street. There are many factors that come into play during benzodiazepine detection tests. We’ll discuss those. For now, let’s focus on each type of test and how accurate they are.
A urine test, or a benzodiazepine urine toxicology screen, uses the breakdown of metabolites to find or determine results.
Here is what this test does: It works well if you’re trying to find out whether or not someone has used benzodiazepines recently.
Here is how quickly it works and how far back it can see: The test can yield results within minutes, and doctors can see if someone has used Ativan within the last 2-10 days. If someone used Ativan 2 weeks ago, it likely will not show up on the test.
Here is how accurate the results are: This method is the most fiscally sound, meaning it’s the least expensive. False positives are possible, especially if you’re taking other medications. If you believe you’ve received a false positive, you can ask to be tested again. Make sure your clinician is fully aware of each substance in your body – be as honest as you can for the best results. False negatives are also possible, especially since this only tests using metabolites. Ativan doesn’t always show up in a urine test.
A blood test, or a benzodiazepine drug screen, tests for the presence of Ativan in your bloodstream.
Here is what this test does: It tests your blood for the presence of benzodiazepines.
Here is how quickly it works and how far back you can see: You should get blood test results within three days. Benzos can be detected in the blood for up to five days. More commonly, they can be detected within 24 hours of the last dose, especially in the case of Ativan because it’s short-acting (it leaves your system faster than other benzodiazepines).
Here is how accurate the results are: It’s fairly accurate for detecting the presence of Ativan in the blood, and it’s rare to get a false positive. It isn’t used as often because it takes longer to get the results and it’s pricier than a urine test.
Testing hair follicles for the presence of benzodiazepines is done in a lab.
Here is what this test does: It uses 20-50 strands of your hair to determine whether or not you’ve taken benzos in the last 3 months. Sometimes it can tell your doctor what kinds of benzos you have been taking. This test can identify benzo use longer than all of the other tests.
Here is how quickly it works and how far back it can see: Many hair follicle tests can detect benzo use within the last 90 days. They can identify benzo use longer than all of the other tests and it can even tell physicians how long a patient has been using Ativan. A benzodiazepine radioimmunoassay, a specific type of hair test, can detect benzos in the hair for up to 30 days.
Here is how accurate the results are: Some short-acting benzos fly under the radar for urine and blood testing, but hair testing will detect what urine cannot. In other words, it’s highly effective.
As mentioned earlier, everyone’s biology is unique. Generally, Ativan leaves everyone’s system in a timely manner because it has a short half-life. It’s fast-acting and meant to work for a short period of time. The factors that affect how long Ativan stays in your system may slightly alter the timeline. Let’s talk about some of these common factors:
Weight plays an important role in how you process medications like Ativan. If your body mass index is on the high side, it probably means you have reserves of fatty tissues. Medications like Ativan will use those fatty tissues as a place to “hide” or “hang out”. This means that the drug will take longer to leave your system.
Our liver has the main job of processing what we put into our body, and this includes any drugs or medications. If you have an unhealthy liver (steatosis, damage, fibrosis, scarring, or cirrhosis), it will take longer to process Ativan, meaning it will show up in drug tests for longer periods.
If you’ve been using Ativan regularly, your body is used to it and metabolizes it quickly. The length of time Ativan can be detected in people with chronic benzo dependency or addiction will be shorter than in someone who takes it on occasion.
Your age plays a role in how your body metabolizes both food and medications. People who are older tend to have slower metabolisms, meaning benzos will stick around longer than someone who is young. You could also have other health conditions due to age that are impacting the amount of time Ativan stays in your system.
Those who take larger doses of Ativan have a slower processing time than those who use a small amount. Large doses of Ativan build up in the system, making it easier to detect in drug tests.
The half-life of a medication (or any substance, including alcohol) is measured by how long it takes for half of the substance to leave your system. Ativan is a very fast-acting benzodiazepine. It’s usually prescribed to help with panic attacks. Someone takes it at the onset of an attack and it works within 20-30 minutes. The desired effects are felt quickly, and it then works to leave the body. The half-life of Ativan is typically 10-20 hours, depending on the person.
Remember: When Ativan reaches its half-life, that does not mean it’s out of your system. Its effects are typically no longer felt at that point, but it’s still in the body. It can take up to 5 days for Ativan to exit the body entirely.
The master’s level clinicians and therapists at Serenity Lane are passionate about helping people out of addiction and into recovery. We dedicate our lives to offering evidence-based, compassionate, and comprehensive addiction treatment because we know anyone can recover. We don’t want you to face a benzodiazepine use disorder alone – we want to help.
There are a variety of options available to you. One of the most common misconceptions about seeking treatment for Ativan use is that you’ll need to leave your family, your work, or your friends. If that’s something you feel you’re unable to do, we can support you with other methods of treatment. We also offer residential treatment for those needing intensive care. Each client is unique, so each treatment plan is unique.
We are proud to offer a full continuum of care for benzodiazepine use disorder:
Serenity Lane is the oldest non-profit program in the state of Oregon with over 50 years of experience. We specialize in individualized, effective, and innovative solutions for recovery. If you or someone you love is ready for benzodiazepine addiction treatment, call us today at 800-543-9905. We offer no-cost, confidential screenings at all of our locations.
What is Ativan used for?
Ativan is typically prescribed for people living with anxiety disorders or panic attacks.
What are the side effects of Ativan?
Some common side effects of Ativan include nausea, stomach pain, tremors, confusion, and addiction.
Who should not be taking Ativan?
Those with liver or kidney disease, glaucoma, a history of addiction, or a history of psychosis should speak with their treating physician before taking Ativan.
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