Ativan is a powerful benzodiazepine that can help people with anxiety disorders — but it can also be habit-forming. It’s not always easy to spot Ativan abuse, however. Loved ones living with addiction will do everything possible to hide what they’re going through, which makes it difficult to encourage them to begin benzo addiction treatment.
If you think a loved one may have a benzo dependence, knowing what signs to watch for is important. Learn more about Ativan abuse, what the signs of it can look like, and why treatment programs can significantly improve your loved one’s chances of achieving long-term sobriety at Promises Behavioral Health.
Is Ativan a Benzo?
Is Ativan a benzo? Yes. It’s one of many short-acting benzodiazepines, which are sedatives typically made to treat generalized anxiety disorders. Ativan is the brand name of lorazepam, and it’s a drug that has a high potential for misuse, even when taken exactly as prescribed.
A loved one who begins to take Ativan for anxiety or other mental health concerns might not notice that they’re building a dependence on it. The body becomes accustomed to functioning with it, and the drug begins to make chemical changes to the brain.
If the person stops taking Ativan abruptly, they risk experiencing withdrawal symptoms. They might crave the drug and have even more severe anxiety than they did before they started taking it.
Signs of Ativan Abuse
You may notice that your loved one is taking more Ativan than they were prescribed or for longer than the treatment called for. They might be showing physical signs, too, including:
- Tremors
- Loss of appetite
- Unsteadiness on their feet
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Over-sleeping
- Slurred speech
- Doctor shopping
Your loved one may try to cut down on their dependence on the drug without being able to and even attempt to hide how much they take. Another warning sign can be the person isolating or not wanting to participate in activities they once loved.
As the addiction progresses, your loved one may rely on Ativan even in moments when it could be dangerous to take it, such as when driving. They will continue to consume the drug despite all of the negative effects it has on their life. Vitally, you’ll notice an over-preoccupation with getting Ativan.
The Treatment of Ativan Abuse: Why Programs Can Help
Ativan addiction requires removing all traces of the drug from the system first and then beginning the process of uncovering what led to the dependence. Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and dangerous if the process isn’t medically monitored. At a treatment center, your loved one can receive medications to keep them comfortable.
The next step is to start therapy sessions. Individual therapy allows your loved one to get to the root cause of why they needed to take Ativan in the first place. If they rely on it for anxiety, treating this mental health concern at the same time as the addiction is vital. Otherwise, the problem is still there and can lead to relapses.
Along with individual therapy, they can participate in group therapy. These sessions encourage your loved one to speak about their experiences and hear from others who are going through similar issues. Group therapy helps people feel less alone and shows them how to start building a support system they can turn to.
Choose Promises Behavioral Health for Benzo Addiction Treatment Today
If a loved one is living with Ativan addiction, encouraging them to receive help at a treatment center can be the first step in saving their lives. At Promises Behavioral Health, we offer a number of programs that can assist your loved one through this difficult moment.
Our inpatient treatments provide the intensive, 24/7 care they deserve, while outpatient options allow those who have family or work responsibilities to still receive quality help. Contact Promises Behavioral Health at 844.875.5609 or by completing our online contact form.