Ativan withdrawal is something many people think is not possible. But very much like alcoholism, Ativan addiction has withdrawals. One of the reasons it’s so important only to take the medication as prescribed by your doctor is because even if you don’t feel like you’re addicted or that you use more than what’s prescribed, there are still withdrawals associated with it. You may think that you’re more in control than the average person because you have never physically gone through withdrawals before, but remember what happened when your doctor took you off of it?
Many people don’t believe in Ativan withdrawal because they are not aware of how serious this medication is. The withdrawal symptoms are not as severe as other drugs, but they can be uncomfortable.
If you have been on Ativan for a long time and gone through a couple of rounds of withdrawals, you may think that you know what to expect this time around. But remember, every illness affects people differently each time it re-occurs or manifests itself in different ways.
In this article you will find information related to ativan addiction treatment florida. If you’re concerned about an addiction to the drug Ativan, or if a loved one is struggling with such an addiction, then read on for more information on how aid can be sought in the state of Florida.
Whether it’s a physical dependence or mental addiction, addiction to ativan can be treated. Recovery from an addiction of any kind is a complicated matter and a decision that must be made by the individual seeking recovery.
The first step towards recovery is admitting there is a problem. Addiction to Ativan requires immediate attention as it’s considered one of the most dangerous forms of benzodiazepine addiction.
So, while we can’t tell you what your Ativan withdrawals will be like, we can provide some insight and other information to make this process go a bit more smoothly for you. Ativan addiction is a serious problem that can quickly take over a person’s life. If you’re worried that you may be addicted to Ativan, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.
Ativan Withdrawal Symptoms
As with all addictions and withdrawals, the severity of these withdrawal symptoms is entirely dependent on how long you have been using Ativan, how much you used, and even your genetic predisposition. Some people go through full-blown withdrawals that are unbearable to them, while others can barely notice that they’ve gone off of their medication. There is just no way to tell until it happens.
Before taking Ativan or any other medication, make sure you know how to properly stop taking anti-anxiety drugs because this will help your body get back to its natural state. Ativan withdrawal symptoms include:
- Pins and needles sensation in the hands and feet
- Flu-like symptoms like aches, chills, nausea, vomiting (with or without stomach cramping)
- Runny nose
- Excessive sweating, chills
- Some people experience severe depression during withdrawal. If you are one of these individuals, consider talking to your doctor before stopping your medication. You may need to be tapered slowly or switch medications to avoid depression symptoms while getting off the drug.
If this is not possible, go through our symptoms checklist and determine what symptoms you have been experiencing. Then talk to your doctor about which symptoms are most important for you to get through before going off of the medication so that you can work together on a plan to help lessen these symptoms or avoid them altogether.
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Some Symptoms of Ativan Withdrawal Include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Cravings
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness, unsteady feeling
- Headaches (severe or throbbing) that are not relieved by medication or treatment with ice packs
- Hot flashes, chills, clammy sweats, cold sweats
- Inability to sit still, pacing back and forth
- Insomnia
- Irritability, agitation, aggression, anger, rage
- Loss of appetite
- Malaise (a feeling of being ill or sick)
- Muscle aches or cramps, especially in the calves or shoulders
- Rapid weight gain due to water retention
- Restlessness
- Shakiness, tremors
- Tired of weak feelings
- Unsteady or bumpy gait (the way you walk)
- Vomiting (more than just nausea) and disturbing stomach cramps. If this is a problem for you, try taking regular doses of activated charcoal tablets to help cleanse the toxins from your system.
Even if you can experience these symptoms, they are milder than what most people feel. Most people become concerned when they stop taking Ativan because their withdrawal symptoms are severe. That is why it can be helpful to know how long withdrawals typically last to expect them and tell if they are getting worse or not.
Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline
The timeline for most people is approximately 7-10 days, but some users experience these symptoms for about two months. That’s right, and you can still be experiencing side effects from this drug even after two months of not taking it.
It is important to remember that everyone responds differently when they quit taking Ativan. While most people will not experience these severe symptoms, many will somehow.
If you decide to stay on this medication longer than necessary to avoid the withdrawal symptoms but are still interested in getting off of it for prescreening reasons, talk to your doctor about switching to a similar medication that might be more appropriate for you and your needs.
It is essential to work closely with your doctor during this period so that you can find the best way to go off of this medication without experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may help reduce these symptoms or give you other medicines to help lessen them until the body gets used to not having the drug and begins to adjust more on its own.
Most people find that their withdrawal symptoms are worse than what they had initially expected. If you decide to stay on your medication longer because of these symptoms, remember this: The withdrawals will eventually end; it’s only a matter of time. If you find that these symptoms interfere with your ability to function at any point, talk to your doctor about the best way to get off of this medication.
Ativan Withdrawal from addiction
If you have been abusing Ativan or have become addicted to it, you should seek professional help for this. There are different types of support and treatment that you can get for this problem, and the first step is detoxification and withdrawal management. The withdrawal symptoms for this drug can be very severe, so medication can be used to help with these symptoms during the withdrawal process.
The common medications that are used for Ativan withdrawal include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and sleeping aids. These drugs will not ease your desire to use the drug, but they will reduce the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms so that you do not relapse back into addiction.
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What Are the Side Effects of Ativan Withdrawal?
Since Ativan is a benzodiazepine, you can expect to experience withdrawal symptoms that affect both mind and body. The most common physical symptoms of withdrawal include headache, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremors, and seizures. These symptoms can last as long as 14 days, and there is no way to avoid all of them.
The common mental symptoms include psychosis, hallucinations, depression, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, and paranoia. These symptoms can be the most difficult for patients because they do not have a precise end date, and they often depend on the severity of addiction you experienced. If you did not experience any mental effects from Ativan, you could expect to experience these symptoms after 24-72 hours of stopping the drug.
How do people withdraw from Ativan safely?
When withdrawing from Ativan, you must do it safely. This means that you should speak to your doctor about medical detoxification rather than stopping cold turkey. A withdrawal specialist can help with withdrawal symptoms by providing medical treatment for this process. You will most likely not manage these symptoms without some aid and support.
The safest and most effective way to stop taking Ativan is to slowly reduce the dosage of this drug until you no longer need it. When you reduce your dose gradually, your body will decrease its dependence on Ativan, and the withdrawal symptoms will be milder. Do not expect a smooth or easy process if you stop taking the medication suddenly because these symptoms can be very severe.
Is Ativan Withdrawal Dangerous?
The primary danger of withdrawal from Ativan is relapsing back into addiction. If you are struggling with an addiction to this drug, do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor so that they can provide medications for the detoxification process. You should also be in a safe environment for this process so that you do not relapse due to severe withdrawal symptoms. If you have already been through one round of withdrawal from Ativan, the chances are good that you will not need second detoxification.
What are the best supplements for helping with Ativan withdrawal symptoms?
The best supplements for withdrawal from Ativan include GABA, 5-HTP, and Chamomile. These supplements have natural anti-anxiety properties that will help you feel better while going through this challenging period. What is more, these compounds do not risk addiction, so that they can be safely combined with an SSRI medication.
Are there any medications for easing the process of withdrawing from Ativan?
There are no medications for easing the withdrawal process specifically, but you should speak to your doctor about using other medicines for this purpose. Your doctor may help you transition off of Ativan by lowering your dosage gradually until you no longer need it. This way, you can taper off of the medication slowly to minimize your withdrawal symptoms.
What are the treatment options for withdrawing from Ativan?
The treatment options for withdrawing from Ativan will differ depending on the patient. A doctor will need to prescribe medications to help with specific symptoms that may be difficult to manage during withdrawal, such as anxiety or insomnia. Patients addicted to Ativan should seek professional treatment for this addiction to address both their dependence and withdrawal needs.
Ativan Withdrawal: Tips for Getting through It
You can do a few things during Ativan withdrawal to lessen the impact and duration of these symptoms so that they don’t completely take over your life.
Eating healthy, nutritious meals is essential so that you can avoid binge-eating or other unhealthy behaviors. These include things like fried foods, junk food, and comfort snacks. Comfort foods are anything that will fill you up temporarily but does not give you any real nutrition because they’re high in calories and low in nutrients. This can also help you avoid starvation diets, which are not recommended for anyone recovering from an eating disorder.
Taking a multivitamin with B-12 is also helpful because Ativan can cause some vitamin or mineral deficiencies. If your deficiency symptoms are severe, talk to your doctor about getting prescriptions for these vitamins while you’re off of the medication.
Getting plenty of exercise can also help ease the withdrawal symptoms. Exercise helps release endorphins in the brain that make you feel good, and it releases serotonin that will also help reduce your depression or anxiety during this time. This is not always possible if doing so causes severe pain, but walking is usually an option for most people. You can also take a massage if your local area doesn’t have any resources for this. If you get frequent headaches, try to get the blood flowing by taking a hot shower or getting in some other sort of hot water.
Getting good sleep is also vital because it will help reduce the symptoms associated with insomnia and other problems that may arise from not getting sufficient rest. If you can’t sleep, try taking some natural supplements, such as melatonin or valerian root. These are best for occasional use and should not be used daily because they can become habit-forming and quickly lead to dependency.
Talking about your feelings is essential to don’t bottle them up and cause yourself to relapse. Even if you don’t want to tell anyone else about your experiences, journaling is an option that can be more private but still therapeutic. It’s important to talk with someone who will listen without judging you or pressuring you into retaking the medication, so choose wisely among family members or friends. You may want to seek professional help if you feel like your withdrawal symptoms are out of control.
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Getting the Right Help
Take advantage of any resources offered by your doctor or counselor during this time so that you can be as comfortable as possible during your recovery period. You may even want to contact a support group, particularly if you’re withdrawing from Ativan on your own. These groups can help you recover faster and feel more comfortable during your process.
If you want to get off meds entirely, it’s essential to make sure that you’re getting all of the help you need for this process without going through other withdrawal processes in the future. If this isn’t possible right now, be sure to keep up with your doctor for routine checkups or medication reviews, if necessary.
The most important thing during Ativan withdrawal is that you make your health and comfort a priority. Don’t let these symptoms control you, even though they can seem very powerful at times. Reminding yourself of this will make it easier to get through these next few weeks until you feel like you’re completely back to normal.
