Recognizing Ativan Addiction Signs and Symptoms

Many people who have taken Ativan have become dependent on it. While it starts as a useful treatment for anxiety, it can become its own problem. Learn about the Ativan abuse signs and symptoms that may be threatening your mental health and happiness. Then, learn where to get help. There’s hope for recovering from Ativan addiction.

Cora worked so hard it gave her anxiety. After years of working under a boss who never promoted her, she’d launched her own law office. Like anyone starting a business, she worked harder and harder to get it off the ground, and soon found herself frequently working until midnight. Then she got a phone call from her mother’s doctor, saying her mother had fallen and broken her hip. This last shock was too much for her. She had a full blown panic attack in her office, so her doctor prescribed Ativan.

At first, the Ativan helped Cora cope with her anxiety. It made her symptoms less intense and soon her panic attacks improved. But then she started taking it more often than was prescribed. She was taking so much she was sedated all the time. It made her feel relaxed and euphoric, but she acted as if intoxicated with alcohol, even at work. She started losing cases and was too sedated to even drive over to visit her mother. Overwhelmed but undefeated, the young businesswoman realized something was wrong.

Ativan Abuse Signs and Symptoms


Ativan dependency can happen to anyone. It’s okay to wonder if you have a problem and ask for help. In fact, seeking treatment can be the best decision you can make for yourself and for your loved ones. But how do can you tell normal side effects from an unhealthy dependency?

Signs of Addiction

It’s time to get help if you find yourself developing any of these key behaviors:

  • Nausea or anxiety if you miss a dose, or don’t take enough
  • Social withdrawal
  • Problems keeping school, work or social commitments
  • Lying or stealing to support a habit
  • “Doctor shopping,” or seeking out several doctors to get multiple prescriptions
  • Aggression or encounters with law enforcement, especially when Ativan is combined with other substances, like alcohol

If you find yourself (or a loved one) engaging in any of these behaviors, please seek psychiatric help immediately. If you take Ativan for longer than your doctor prescribed, or take more than the recommended dose, you raise your chance of developing a dependence. If you self-medicate or use Ativan for non-medical purposes, you also run a higher risk of becoming dependent. If you are taking anti-anxiety medication, it’s important to ask your prescribing PCP or psychiatrist to refer you to a therapist, as learning anxiety coping strategies can reduce your emotional dependence on Ativan.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Ativan is a benzodiazepine, commonly known as a tranquilizer. Long-term use of these drugs can not only lead to addiction, but to changes in brain functioning. Because of this, another important symptom to watch out for is withdrawal: physical and emotional pain experienced whenever you are not taking Ativan. You may need a higher dose to achieve the usual effect, which is known as building a tolerance.

If you‘re experiencing any of these withdrawal symptoms, seek treatment today:

  • Headaches
  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Trouble breathing
  • Severe sedation
  • Impaired memory

Nothing’s more important than your well-being. And even if you think you may be Ativan dependent, you can still regain your health and happiness by entering recovery. With constant treatment from caring psychiatric professionals, you can face your addiction and start to heal the emotional pain that fuels it. And some of the best care available for overcoming addiction is available through a residential treatment center for Ativan addiction.

Begin Your Recovery Journey Today

866-922-1350

There’s Hope for Recovery from Ativan Addiction


Sobriety is an achievement. But it’s a realistic achievement, and one that’s within your grasp. To get comprehensive treatment for an emotional crisis, enroll in a residential treatment facility. Residential treatment offers a variety of care options to address complex needs, including treatment for multiple substance dependencies or for co-occurring psychiatric disorders. These facilities offer access to mental health and medical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means psychiatric doctors and nurses will always be there for you, especially during detox.

When you visit a residential treatment facility, your health will be assessed. If you need to detox, you’ll be put under the care of medical doctors who will monitor your condition and help ease your transition off of Ativan. After detox, you’ll start individual therapy that’s customized for your needs, and participate in many programs. You’ll attend group therapy, where you can connect with others recovering from addictions. You’ll meet with a psychiatric care provider on a regular basis to evaluate progress and set goals. And you’ll get a long-term treatment plan to help you stay sober in your daily life with the help of aftercare.

Ativan addiction is a treatable condition you don’t have to struggle with alone. Recovery is a long-term process that can work for you if you stick with it and have patience. Remember, today is a new day, and in the present moment, you have the power to choose what you do.

You’ve Got What it Takes to Achieve Sobriety


These days Cora is back to running her fledgling business and spending quality time with her mother. She uses cognitive behavioral exercises and therapy to manage her anxiety and no longer is dependent on Ativan. Countless people like her have recovered from Ativan addiction. Are you ready to start your healing journey?

No matter how bad your anxiety or your dependency have become, it’s okay to ask for help. It may feel scary now, but in the long run, it’s the bravest thing you can do. Try calling a residential treatment facility or talking to a psychiatric professional today. Knowing you’ve faced your addiction and anxiety will not only get you on the path to wellness, but lead to a stronger, more confident you.