Ativan is a short-acting medication that is anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and sedative. It belongs to the class of benzodiazepines, which also consist of other drugs such as Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin.
Hydroxyzine can be detected in your blood for one day after you take the drug. Most people will have this substance out of their bodies within 48 hours, but some chronic users might not fully detox within 90 days.
Contrary to popular belief, Ativan can be detected in specific tests for a significant period. The reason is that it isn’t metabolized quickly, and your body stores large amounts of it, binding it to fat cells throughout the body.
Since you have a slow metabolism, it stays in the system longer than most people.
The half-life is 12-15 hours, and the drug can be detected in urine for 3 to 7 days.
The most accurate way to detect Ativan is through a saliva test since it shows the most recent ingestion of this substance.
QT prolongation is associated with bradycardia, which means that your heartbeat slows down. When you feel tired all of the time or get winded while climbing stairs, you should consider seeing your doctor for a medical exam. While rare, Ativan abuse can result in death.
Ativan addiction treatment is an option for people who are addicted to Ativan and want to stop taking the medication. There are a few different types of treatment available, and each person’s treatment plan will be different.
Why Would I Need to Know how Long Does Ativan Stay in My System?
It depends upon many factors, including what route of administration was used. Inhaled Ativan can be detected in the system for a shorter time than taking it orally, and snorting it versus swallowing it will also result in different detection levels.
If you are being tested for drugs, particularly for employment or for the military, you should know how long Ativan stays in your system. The drug is illegal to use without a prescription, and it can be detected by testing done on you during an examination or via random drug screenings at work or school.
It doesn’t matter if you smoke, drink water, or exercise after taking Ativan because the drug is stored in fat cells throughout your body, and exercise won’t help you eliminate it faster.
The amount of sweat will not affect how long the drug lasts in the system. However, you will excrete the drug faster if you drink a lot of water.
Eating fatty foods or drinking alcohol can make your body metabolize Ativan slower, and therefore it might stay in the system for longer than usual. It is not recommended to take Ativan with food because food slows down digestion and absorption, extending its duration of action.
What is the average duration of effect of Ativan?
The effects of Ativan can take 2-4 hours to kick in, but the duration of action will vary based on how you took it.
Side Effects of Ativan You Should Know About:
Not everyone will experience all side effects, nor do the same side effects manifest in everyone. The following side effects might occur:
- Drowsiness
- Double vision
- Nausea/vomiting
- Decreased alertness and ability to concentrate
- Constipation or diarrhea (more common among those who take oral Ativan)
- Difficulty urinating or trouble urinating at all (more common among those who take oral Ativan)
- Blurred vision or any other eye problem
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Fainting
- Confusion, hallucinations, delirium, and/or paranoia (more common among those who abuse the drug)
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Chest pain
- Clammy skin
- Shallow breathing or other respiratory issues (more common among those who abuse the drug)
Must Read: Signs of Ativan Addiction
How Long Does Ativan Stay in Your Hair?
It’s not possible to know how long Ativan will stay in your hair without actually undergoing a hair drug test. However, it is known that several factors can influence its detection time.
For example, the size of the hair follicles has a significant impact on how long Ativan stays in your hair. A small follicle that produces finer hair will mean that it takes longer for the drug to penetrate through your scalp and into your hair strands. Generally, finer hair is also less dense than coarser hair, meaning that coarser hair might hold the drug longer.
The amount of drugs ingested also plays a role in how long Ativan stays in your hair. If you take more pills, the drug has more time to penetrate your scalp, and therefore it will be detectable for a more extended period. It is possible that taking smaller amounts regularly might lead to a shorter window of detection. However, it’s difficult to predict how exactly the dosage will affect the drug’s half-life.
The number of chemicals in your system also impacts how long Ativan stays in your hair. If you drink a lot of coffee and smoke cigarettes, these substances might mean more drugs end up in your bloodstream, and therefore some of them might end up in your hair.
Though we can’t know precisely how long Ativan will show up in a hair drug test without knowing the specific circumstances, it’s most likely detectable for about 90 days. Learn more about passing a hair drug test here.
How Long Does Ativan Stay in Your Saliva?
Ativan is detectable in saliva for about one to two days after ingestion, but it might be possible to detect the drug for up to four days. However, most people begin noticing a drop-in blood concentration within 24 hours of ingestion. The length of time that Ativan stays in your saliva depends on how many times you’ve taken the drug and at what intervals.
How Long Does Ativan Stay in Your Urine?
Ativan might be detectable in your urine for up to four days after ingestion and possibly even longer if you’re a chronic user and/or take high doses. Most people pass the drug within 48 hours of taking it. Some users might experience a drop-in blood concentration between 10 and 24 hours after ingestion, but it’s much more likely that the Ativan will become undetectable within 2 to 3 days.
How long does Ativan stay in your blood?
Ativan stays in your blood for around three days, peaking at about one or two days after ingestion. Most people will pass the drug in their blood within 48 hours of taking it.
If you’re a chronic user, the drug might not become undetectable for up to six months. Most people can detox within six weeks, though. For more information about withdrawal symptoms, check out our guide on what to expect during Ativan detox.
You know the drill by now: check your drug test guide for more information on different kinds of tests and when you can expect the substance to be detectable in your system.
Is Ativan Detection Time Different for Everyone?
Yes, because every person is different. Age, weight, sex, body mass index, metabolism rate, and physical health status can influence how long Ativan stays in your system. Drugs used in the past and/or other health conditions might also help decide how long Ativan stays in your system.
What are the different drug tests to detect Ativan in the body?
Ativan is most commonly tested in blood, urine, and saliva. You can use our Ativan drug test guide to learn more about different kinds of tests and when the substance is likely detectable in each particular type.
What if you’re a regular user?
If you take Ativan regularly (more than one or two times per week), the drug will stay in your system longer because your body is used to it. Ativan levels in chronic users might not become undetectable for up to three months after they stopped taking the drug and their last dosage, but it might take longer depending on:
- How much of the drug do you use?
- How often do you take medicine?
- How long you’ve been dealing with the unwanted effects of Ativan withdrawal
How long does it take for Ativan to get out of your system?
It’s challenging to know when precisely the drug will be ultimately out of your system because everyone is different. Factors that can affect how long it takes for Ativan to get out of your system are dosage frequency, age, body mass index, physical condition and health status, metabolism rate, and overall lifestyle.
How long Ativan stays in your system after you stop taking it depends on how quickly the body is eliminating the drug – if it’s not quick enough, you might want to buy a detox drink or take other Ativan detox pills.
Generally speaking, though, most people notice a drop-in blood concentration after about four days. For example, if you took 1mg of Ativan at midnight today, your blood drug level would be 0.5mg/L at 8:00 PM.
If you’re a regular user and you take the drug one to two times per week, the levels in your system will likely be detectable for at least one month, but it might take longer for your system to eliminate the drug.
If you’re a chronic user and you take the drug more than two times per week, likely, Ativan levels in your blood will not become undetectable for up to three months.
However, even if the levels in your blood are getting lower, the drug might still be in your system. It’s impossible to know when exactly you’ll be drug-free because it depends on how much of the prescription you used for how long. The only way to honestly know when you’ve detoxed is by undergoing a urine or saliva test.
So, what’s the bottom line?
The drug will stay detectable for a more extended period if you don’t take it often. If you use Ativan regularly or on an acute basis, the drug will only be detectable for 12-24 hours in your saliva and urine, respectively.
If you use Ativan occasionally (such as one pill about once every month), it will most likely be detectable by saliva and urine tests for up to five days.
The only way to accurately know how long Ativan stays in your system is by undergoing a drug test or getting evaluated by a specialist. Carrying out an evaluation will help you understand the risk of side effects, potential interactions, and what you need to do to avoid a relapse.
What are the most effective treatment choices for Ativan addiction?
Detox options are typically thought to be the first step in treatment. You can use our guide to detox drinks and pills to learn more about this process, its different stages, and how long it should take.
How Long Does It Take to Detox from Ativan?
Some people can detox without help from other substances, while some might require detox drinks, pills, and/or professional assistance. You can use our guide on detoxing from Ativan safely and naturally to learn more about the different stages of withdrawal and what you can do to minimize discomfort.
Inpatient programs are often recommended for people who have been taking high doses or abusing the drug for an extended period. This type of program typically includes several stages: detox, rehabilitation, and aftercare.
Outpatient programs are less intense and can be more suitable for people with less severe addictions or who cannot take time off from work or other responsibilities.
12-step programs are one of the most common support groups available to help people recovering from addiction.
Self-help groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or SMART Recovery can also benefit people in recovery.
You might also want to consider seeking professional help if you have been abusing the drug or if your addiction is severe. Professional treatment options include detox, rehabilitation, and aftercare programs, all of which are available in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Professional help can also include medications that help people in recovery deal with cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone, for example, is sometimes used for patients who are trying to stop taking opioids like Ativan.
Most sources recommend seeking professional help if you think your addiction is severe or if you’re having trouble following through with self-help strategies.
What to expect during Ativan detox?
The detox period might bring on unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, so you should prepare yourself. You can use our guide on what to expect during Ativan detox to learn more about the different stages of withdrawal and what you can do to minimize discomfort.
What if I do relapse?
Relapse is possible with any addiction, so don’t beat yourself up too much if you discover that you’ve slipped up. You can get back on track by reaching out for help and understanding what went wrong instead of sulking in self-pity.
