Signs Someone is Addicted to Ativan

Signs to look for are extreme drowsiness, sedation, lethargy, confusion, low blood pressure, muscle weakness and fainting.

Warnings

Taking a higher dose of Ativan than is normally prescribed can cause difficulty breathing and can result in coma. Seek immediate medical help if you or someone you are with overdoses on this drug. Treatment may include dialysis for removing Ativan from the blood and/or Flumazenil (Romazicon^®), an antidote.

Overview

Ativan® (lorazepam) is a medication that is used to treat anxiety. Ativan® is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and prevent seizures.

Street Names

Benzos, Downers

Ativan Looks Like

The most common benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs Valium®, Xanax®, Halcion®, Ativan®, and Klonopin®. Tolerance can develop, although at variable rates and to different degrees.

Methods of Ativan Abuse

Abuse is frequently associated with adolescents and young adults who take the drug orally or crush it up and snort it to get high. Abuse is particularly high among heroin and cocaine abusers.

Ativan's Affect on Mind

Benzodiazepines are associated with amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid or disturbing dreams.

Ativan's Affect on Body

Benzodiazepines slow down the central nervous system and may cause sleepiness.

Drugs Causing Similar Effects

Alcohol, barbiturates, sleeping pills, and GHB

Ativan Overdose Effects

Effects of overdose include shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and possible death.

Ativan's Legal Status in the United States

Benzodiazepines are controlled in schedule IV of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA).

Common Places of Origin

Benzodiazepines are only legally available through prescription. Many abusers maintain their drug supply by getting prescriptions from several doctors, forging prescriptions, or buying them illicitly. Alprazolam and diazepam are the two most frequently encountered benzodiazepines on the illicit market.