Ativan is a prescription benzodiazepine
most often prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety and anxiety related
disorders such as insomnia. As a benzodiazepine, Ativan has a depressant effect
in the central nervous system which is what produces what users would claim to
be a calming effect if they were experiencing stress or anxiety or the like. Because
Ativan is a fast-acting drug,
not only are the effects of the drug desirable but rapid so individuals can
become dependent to the effects of the drug very quickly. Dependency means that
someone who is taking Ativan may not want to stop taking the drug when they’re
supposed to because they will find it hard to readjust to normal function in
their lives without it. They have become dependent to the calming effects and
rely on Ativan to be at ease and to relieve stress, rather than take normal
measures in their lives to make this possible. This is a well-known outcome,
which is why the FDA recommends that benzodiazepines such as Ativan only be
used for a very short time period, and for no longer than a month at the most.
The problem is
when someone can’t stop taking Ativan, even when they know they should. This
might happen with a legitimate user or even with someone who abuses
prescription drugs non-medically. The prescription drug abuse problem, in
either regard, has reached epidemic proportions and drug rehab programs across
the country are now accustomed to addressing such issues with clients. Whereas
illicit drug abuse used to be the main problem people were checking into rehab
for over a decade ago, individuals are now finding their way to rehab more
often than not for problems regarding prescription drug abuse including
problems with misuse and abuse of Ativan.
Because long-term use, even legitimate use, of Ativan can
cause so many significant consequences in the person’s life it is important
that anyone having trouble stopping use seeks help right away in a drug rehab
program. If someone is having trouble getting Ativan this isn’t something they
should even try to do on their own, because there are also risks involved with
benzodiazepine withdrawal which could include seizures and other symptoms which
could be life threatening. In a detox facility or drug rehab program,
individuals will very likely be weaned off of Ativan and safely detoxed. At
Narconon Fresh Start, we have among the most experienced detox professionals
who are prepared to help individuals get off of Ativan and possibly other drugs
as needed smoothly and safely.
After an individual has safely stopped taking Ativan, it is
important that they find other ways to cope with stress and anxiety so that
they don’t end up right back in the same situation. No one needs to be
dependent on any type of drug for their happiness or for stress relief, and at
Narconon Fresh Start counselors help clients develop new ways of dealing with
stress and everyday life to prevent this from happening in the future.
