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If you’re working to manage a lorazepam addiction, you’re not alone. Almost 5 million people are misusing benzos in the United States, and Oregon has the second-highest addiction rate in the country. If this is something you’re living with, you may have some anxiety surrounding lorazepam. What is it doing to your body and mind? How long does lorazepam stay in your system? Here at Serenity Lane, we have the answers you’re looking for.
Lorazepam, also known as Ativan, is a benzodiazepine that is usually prescribed to help with anxiety disorders or panic attacks. In some cases, it’s also prescribed for the treatment of seizures or sleep disorders. Lorazepam is a depressant that works by increasing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and sending calming messages to the body through the central nervous system. For many who are managing chronic anxiety or panic attacks, lorazepam can be incredibly effective. Unfortunately, it isn’t meant to be taken long-term because it comes with a high risk of dependency or addiction. It isn’t considered a “cure” or a long-term solution for anxiety – it is usually taken alongside other forms of treatment like therapy or an intensive outpatient program.
Lorazepam can feel like a miracle drug to many. After all, those who have anxiety will be the first to admit it has the uncanny ability to complicate lives. Because it can feel like a cure-all, it’s easy to fall into the habit of taking an extra pill or two. Arguably one of the largest reasons people form an addiction to this medication is how quickly it builds tolerance in the body. After only a few weeks of taking it, the body will need larger doses to experience the same effects. In other words, after a while, the initial prescription dose will stop working.
When taken recreationally or outside of a doctor’s orders, lorazepam can become dangerous. Mixing it with other substances (such as alcohol or methamphetamines) or taking too much of it can cause an overdose. It can also cause long-term health issues, including brain damage. These are scary facts for those who have become dependent on lorazepam, but there is always a path to wellness – especially with high-quality treatment.
There are a number of reasons why someone may wonder how long lorazepam stays in the system. Many employers conduct regular drug testing and expect their employees to be substance-free, or a doctor may request drug testing to ensure you’re not taking anything you shouldn’t be before prescribing something new. Whatever the reason, a common inquiry is how long lorazepam shows up on common drug tests.
Remember that each person has a unique physiology. Lorazepam may stay in someone’s system longer than someone else’s for a number of reasons. Let’s discuss the general lorazepam detection time with common drug tests.
A urine test,also called a urine toxicology screen, uses your metabolites to find out whether or not you’ve taken lorazepam in the last 10 days (tops). A common urine toxicology screen won’t always test for lorazepam, and many times, it needs to be requested by an employer or physician.
This method is financially preferred by many insurance companies. Not only is it less invasive but you can get results within minutes. Unfortunately, it also has the chance to yield both false positive and negative results. If you believe your test results are inaccurate, you can ask to take it again.
A blood test is also known as a benzodiazepine drug screen and it’s a little more accurate. This test uses the bloodstream to search for any traces of lorazepam. The detection time of blood tests varies, but it’s usually up to five days after your last dose. Blood tests take around 24 hours for results.
Hair follicle tests can detect the presence of lorazepam for up to 3 months after your last dose. While some benzodiazepines may escape detection in both urine and blood tests, hair follicle tests will catch it every time. It may not be the most commonly used drug test, but it’s the most accurate for lorazepam.
There are many things that can affect the detection time of benzodiazepines. Genetics, diet, age, sex assigned at birth, organ health, dosage, and medical history are just a few. Let’s talk about some common reasons why lorazepam would stay in your system longer than others:
The liver is responsible for processing medication and eliminating waste, so when it’s unhealthy, it may take longer for lorazepam to exit your body. Fatty liver, fibrosis, cirrhosis, or cancer can all affect how long medications stay in the system.
Elderly patients have a harder time processing toxins. This is why you often see lower dosages of medications prescribed to seniors (or one dose broken up multiple times daily).
If you’re mixing lorazepam with alcohol or other substances, it’s going to build up in the liver, increasing the amount of time it’s present in your system.
When it comes to eliminating medications from the body, the liver isn’t the only barrier. If you have a high BMI or you’re considered medically obese, fat cells need to be considered. Picture fat cells like little hotel rooms – lorazepam will stop there to stay a while. Fat cells have room for storage, so medications may build up inside of them.
Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders impact the gastrointestinal tract along with cortisol and dopamine levels. Constipation, a common side effect of anxiety, can prevent the medication from being eliminated in a timely manner. This is also why people who are dehydrated will take longer to process and eliminate medication. The GI tract plays a role in how the body functions.
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 lorazepam 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.
How does lorazepam work?
Lorazepam is a depressant that works by increasing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and sending calming messages to the body through the central nervous system.
How does lorazepam affect the brain and body?
Lorazepam can cause physical and psychological addiction, gastrointestinal issues, and rebound anxiety.
What tests are used to detect lorazepam?
The most common ways to detect lorazepam include urine, blood, and hair follicle tests.
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