Do you think that you or a loved one could be addicted to Ativan? If so, then it’s important that you know everything about this disease.
What is Ativan?
Ativan, also known as Lorazepam, is a benzodiazepine drug used in the treatment of anxiety and to help patients involved in surgery.
Ativan can only be obtained via a prescription from a medical professional, as it’s a highly addictive drug that should only used on a short term basis.
How is Ativan Abused?
Outside of its medical purposes, Ativan is abused by drug addicts to experience a ‘high’ or an extreme sense of pleasure.
Ativan commonly comes in a tablet form, however it may also be injected, ingested as a liquid or even used as a skin patch with the effects of it varying.
For example, if Ativan is ingested as a liquid or tablet, it may take approximately 90 and 120 minutes to experience its effects, while the effects of an injection being experienced after an estimated 10-15 minutes.
However, the pleasurable feelings of Ativan may last for anything between 6-12 hours.
The Signs & Symptoms of Ativan Addiction
Ativan addiction can occur when the drug has been used for an extended period of time or even when dosage is being taken against doctor’s orders.
In fact, even people that use the substance according to dosage prescribed by their medical professional may become addicted.
If you are wondering how you can spot if you or a loved one is suffering with an Ativan addiction, here are some warning signs to look out for:
- Dishonesty – Stealing from family and friends in order to fund the Ativan addiction or just simply lying about how much of the drug is being used.
- Being unable to complete daily responsibilities at work or at home.
- Using or stealing somebody else’s Ativan.
- Slurred speech.
- Co-ordination problems.
- Becoming unable to make clear and rational decisions.
- Visiting various doctors to obtain Ativan prescriptions
- Denying that there is an Ativan addiction problem present.
If you are able to link some of the above with yourself or a loved one, then it’s a clear sign that there may be an Ativan addiction problem present.
The good news is that with the right help, Ativan addiction can be treated!
Ativan Addiction Treatment
Due to the fact that Ativan is such a highly addictive drug, we urge you to refrain from attempting to quit on your own.
This is because of the withdrawal symptoms that may be experienced when someone who has been using the drug for a long time suddenly stops.
The severity of these Ativan addiction withdrawal symptoms will differ and in some cases it can be life threatening. The best way to treat this illness is by getting treatment inside a drug rehabilitation centre.
In drug rehab, patients will experience a supervised medical detoxification, which will help to remove all the harmful toxins of Ativan out of the body and it also helps minimise and reduce the effects of any withdrawal symptoms that may be experienced.
Once the detox has been completed, patients will undergo various counselling and therapy methods.
These include individual counselling and group therapy, which will help educate and teach the patient to why they became addicted in the first place and also, how they can avoid using Ativan in future.
The length of the stay in drug rehab will be determined by the severity of the Ativan addiction suffered, however there is a minimum requirement that patients stay in treatment for 4 weeks.
Once the stay in rehab has been completed, patients may also go into an aftercare program, which includes outpatient treatment and a stay in a halfway house with each being very effective in helping patients stay clean and sober.
For access to these Ativan addiction treatment programs, give us a call now!
We provide access into the best private drug rehabilitation centers in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Thailand. Call us now and let one of our qualified addiction counsellors find the best Ativan treatment for you or your loved one.