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Withdrawal occurs when the body has become accustomed to a substance being within it on a regular basis. When this substance is removed or no longer taken, your body can have a variety of reactions and side effects, going through a phase known as withdrawal. Not every substance taken can lead to dependency and withdrawal, but in the case of lorazepam, it can.
Here at Serenity Lane, we strive to provide easy-to-access, educational information regarding a variety of substances. We believe that education is a key component of destigmatizing substance use. Having reliable information regarding substances can help people make informed decisions when they need it most.
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines, sometimes known as benzos, are a type of depressant. Lorazepam is a prescription medication used to help those who are managing anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders. Lorazepam is the generic name for the medication, with the name brand version being Ativan.
While the effects of Lorazepam can usually be felt within 30 minutes, when it comes to withdrawal, it can take up to a day after your last dose for symptoms to begin. There are two types of withdrawal periods a person might experience when stopping the use of a benzo-based medication. The most common is a period of symptoms that last 1-4 days on average, and the second is a more full-blown withdrawal period that lasts 10-14 days and has more symptoms.
During the shorter withdrawal period, many people experience symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. What can make withdrawal difficult to go through is knowing that taking the substance will help alleviate your symptoms.
Many different situations can impact exactly how long the withdrawal period lasts. Some of these factors include age, metabolism, weight, and history of substance use. Despite this, there is an average window for how long withdrawal can last from Lorazepam.
Most people experience symptoms for about 4 days after their last dosage, with the first symptoms showing up within the first day after your last dose. The time in which you might first experience symptoms can vary depending on the half-life of your specific dosage of Lorazepam. Usually, symptoms won’t last longer than two weeks, but there are rare situations where symptoms may persist for longer. In these cases, it is normally certain symptoms that stick around, such as anxiety. These can be alleviated with further treatment.
Symptoms of withdrawal from any substance can range from mild to potentially fatal. While fatal symptoms are not as common, it’s important to know they exist in order to make an informed decision if you start noticing someone experiencing other withdrawal symptoms.
In the case of Lorazepam, here are the symptoms you need to know about:
For those at risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms, they might also have the potential to develop other side effects from long-term lorazepam use. Benzodiazepines of any form are rarely meant to be used in the long-term, they’re usually medications prescribed to be used “as needed,” such as to help stop seizures or panic attacks. The dependence that can lead to withdrawal comes from long-term use of a substance or the overuse of a substance in a short period of time. There are many side effects that can occur because of this, such as:
The timeline of withdrawal symptoms can be important. In the case of some substances, the worst symptoms might appear within a specific time frame. In the case of Lorazepam, the timeline can vary slightly from person to person, but here is a general idea of what to expect.
Within the first 24 hours after your last dose - The first symptoms of withdrawal will appear.
4 days after your last dose - Some people experience a lessening of symptoms after only four days from their last dosage.
14 days after your last dose - This is when most people finish going through withdrawal, with symptoms abating near the end.
Up to a year after your last dose - Some symptoms may persist as long as a year after your last dosage, the most common being symptoms of depression and anxiety. These symptoms can be alleviated with proper treatment.
Most symptoms of lorazepam withdrawal are not inherently dangerous, but they can lead to other situations that can be. Symptoms like poor concentration and fatigue can lead to low coordination or impaired decision-making. This can be especially dangerous if behind the wheel of a car or operating large machinery.
Hallucinations and paranoia can be the cause of self-harm or harm to others in reaction to these hallucinations and paranoid thoughts. In addition, seizures can be harmful on their own if they last longer than 5 minutes or happen without time between them for the body to recover.
If you notice someone having a seizure, make sure you don’t hold them down. It’s best to clear the area around them in order to prevent them from hurting themselves, and put something flat under their head to better cushion it.
It’s also important to know that those who are at risk of withdrawal in the first place might be in danger of experiencing an overdose as well. This can occur with or without additional substance use, but overdoses from benzodiazepines become fatal when they’re caused by a combination of substances in the body.
Here are some signs that you or a loved one might be experiencing an overdose from lorazepam:
Experiencing withdrawal and other long-term effects from managing a substance use disorder can sometimes feel like there’s no way out of the situation. This isn’t true, however, and Serenity Lane is here to help you get back onto the track you want through a road of recovery and healing. We offer treatment for those managing a benzodiazepine use disorder, including those who were partaking in lorazepam.
We offer many steps to ensure that you receive the care you need. From Medication-Assisted Treatment to long-term care and outpatient programs as well. You will work with our professional, medically licensed staff to figure out what treatment path will work best for you.
If you have any questions about our treatment options, recovering from lorazepam use, or anything else at all don’t hesitate to give us a call at (800) 543-9905.
Is Lorazepam considered a benzo?
Yes, Lorazepam is a form of benzodiazepine.
Who can and cannot take Lorazepam?
While your doctor will be able to answer best for your specific needs, it’s not advised for those who have liver or kidney problems, sleep apnoea, are managing other substance use disorders, have glaucoma, or are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
What if I take too much Lorazepam?
You can overdose on any benzodiazepine, including Lorazepam. If you notice symptoms such as jitteriness, excess sleepiness, mood swings, shallow breathing, or unconsciousness you or a loved one might be experiencing a lorazepam overdose.
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