Lorazepam (Ativan) is part of the benzodiazepine drug class, and is most commonly known as a treatment for anxiety. By enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA, lorazepam is able to help produce a calming effect in the user.
While the medication does have many benefits for individuals suffering from anxiety, sleeplessness, or even drug and alcohol withdrawal, lorazepam is also known to cause quite a few side effects and benzo withdrawal symptoms.
Before discussing how to get off lorazepam naturally, we must first discuss the side effects and withdrawal symptoms associated with benzos. For many long-term benzo users, it’s vital to undergo a licensed benzo detox program.
Top 10 Major Lorazepam Withdrawal Symptoms
Quitting Ativan can lead to major symptoms:
- Memory loss
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Rapid heartbeat
- Increased sensitivity to light/sound/environment
- Tingling in extremities
- Sleep problems
- Extreme mood changes
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
Those with a history of long-term lorazepam use, heavy use, a history of addiction, or personality disorders may experience lorazepam withdrawal symptoms after just a few doses of the medication. For these reasons, it is always recommended to come off of lorazepam safely under the supervision of a licensed professional. This ensures all medical complications are monitored and treated promptly.
What To Do During Benzo Withdrawal
If a person begins to develop any symptoms of benzo withdrawal, they would be wise to consult a doctor to make a plan to have the lorazepam tapered in a gradual manner. In situations of quitting Ativan cold turkey, or abrupt discontinuation of Ativan, immediate medical assistance may be required.
Symptoms of benzo withdrawal could be more extreme for a person who is stopping cold turkey. A detox center or holistic psychiatry center is the best place to deal with the effects of lorazepam withdrawal. For severe cases of lorazepam withdrawal or co-occurring disorders, an inpatient benzo tapering center could help make things more comfortable. If you or a loved one is suffering and needs immediate advice, please call 1 (800) 301-3753 now.
Lorazepam Dependency
Lorazepam (Ativan) is known to be a habit forming and addictive medication. Its effects are very calming and pleasurable, and the pill is also used to help with drug and alcohol withdrawal, among other conditions. When a person becomes dependent, often they will develop a fear of not having the medication, or they may even allow a bad day or flare-up of symptoms to be an excuse to abuse their prescription.
If a person has been dependent on drugs like Ativan for many years, the process of coming off Lorazepam safely becomes even more difficult. Severe symptoms associated with long-term benzodiazepine use are known to display both mentally and physically.
People experiencing Ativan withdrawal will often be crippled with fear, depression, mood swings and hallucinations, along with physical issues like sweating, nausea, stomach cramps, and even seizures. Oftentimes, a person going through severe benzo withdrawal starts to believe they will never recover.
Treatment Options for Stopping Lorazepam Use
There are plenty of different methods available to help those wanting to discontinue their Lorazepam safely. In many cases, the symptoms of acute benzo withdrawal will be so uncomfortable that medical help is needed.
Here are some options you can expect to find when looking for lorazepam withdrawal help or a treatment program:
Rapid Detox
Similar to a drug and alcohol detox, this treatment modality offers a quick detox (Usually 3 to 7 days). During this time, the patient is monitored, vitals are kept at proper levels, and sedatives or other psychotropic medications can be used to help the patient feel calm. Sometimes, the patient will be discharged with additional medications to take upon returning home.
At-Home Nutrients and Remedies
There are many remedies out there for symptoms associated with benzo withdrawal. These remedies can be purchased at health food stores and taken at home, without medical supervision, for anything from anxiety to sleeplessness. While these remedies may have some use, benzo withdrawal is one of the most dangerous forms of drug withdrawal and should be handled under the care of a licensed specialist.
Medication Taper
For most people, trying a medication taper with their prescribing doctor is the safest way to approach trying to get off Ativan. Some benzo tapers last for over a year to avoid any major symptoms, and to make it easier for the patient to perform his or her daily duties or responsibilities. If major symptoms persist during a medication taper at home, seeking the care of an can help move the healing along more rapidly.
Holistic Psychiatry Center
Inpatient healing centers such as Alternative to Meds Center in Sedona, AZ are seeing very positive results in using holistic psychiatry to help individuals overcome mental health challenges. stories show how liberating one can feel when they finally become benzo free after decades of taking the addictive medication!
How to Get Off Lorazepam Safely for Good!
When coming off Lorazepam under the care of a doctor, a benzo detox program, or a wellness center, your treatment professional should offer some sound recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and mentality upon returning to your daily routine. Make sure to ask for resources and have a counselor or doctor already arranged for follow-up visits.
A person will likely experience physical, mental, or emotional symptoms once becoming med free, so finding a healthy daily routine is important to maintain progress in healing. As a basic roadmap, a person recovering from benzo use, anxiety, or any mental health condition should follow a regimen that makes their health the top priority. Be sure to incorporate healthy activities that support the wellbeing of the physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies.
An individual leaving a benzo detox program having scheduled just one follow-up appointment per month will have a far lower rate of long-term healing than a person who follows a daily regimen of holistic therapies, counseling, and nutrient therapy. Focusing your energy on your health is the best way to make sure your days keep getting brighter, and will make any daily triggers that pop up less significant.
Find Hope Through Healing
At Alternative to Meds Center, a holistic psychiatry center located in Sedona, Arizona, the educational program explains how to get off lorazepam naturally. Each day, clients go through various nutrient therapies combined with Chinese medicine modalities, toxin removal therapies, and adjunctive treatments in order to alleviate the symptoms of medication withdrawal. Thousands of cases of even the most severe Ativan withdrawal symptoms have been assessed, treated, and maintained through the oversight of the medical team at Alternative to Meds.
It is not unheard of for someone to turn their entire life around once becoming med free. In this inspiring video, a graduate of Alternative to Meds tells her uplifting story of overcoming medication for good.