Ativan High | Can You Get High On Ativan?

Ativan (brand name for lorazepam) is an anti-anxiety prescription drug and central nervous system depressant used to treat anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, and epilepsy. 

It’s a long-acting benzodiazepine that has a high potency and stays in the system for a long time. Because of its high potency and calming effects, Ativan is likely to get you high when you take a large dose.

How Does Ativan Work?

Because Ativan is classified as a benzodiazepine or benzo, it works by blocking the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter to slow the brain’s mental process. 

With the GABA neurotransmitter blocked, norepinephrine and dopamine slow down the body’s stress reaction which is why it can be such an effective anti-anxiety medication.

Besides anxiety disorders, Ativan is used to treat:

• panic disorder and panic attacks
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• insomnia
• seizure disorders
• muscle spasms

The substance is typically sold as a quick-dissolve tablet, though it is sometimes found in concentrated, colorless liquid as well.  

What Does Ativan Make You Feel Like?

When taken correctly, Ativan can make you feel more relaxed, a bit drowsy, calmer, and less stressed. But when it’s abused, it can bring on an even greater “high” and cause an almost euphoric feeling. 

For euphoria to occur, the dose must be quite high as a normal prescribed dose is unlikely to give you that feeling. 

Because of its addictive qualities and its ability to create a physical dependence in those who use it, the FDA classifies it as a schedule IV drug.

The Risks Of Using Ativan To Get High

One of the biggest risks of an Ativan high is how much you have to take to achieve that high. A normal dose prescribed by a healthcare provider is not likely to get you “high,” but taking a higher dose can. 

Because of the higher than recommended dose needed to achieve this, there is an increased risk of overdose for people who abuse Ativan.

Using Ativan with alcohol or other drugs, like antidepressants and opioids, can also lead to an overdose.

Ativan Abuse & Addiction

Because Ativan is a legal drug and often obtained with a prescription, people may think it can’t be abused or that they aren’t abusing it. 

But anyone who is taking more than the prescribed amount, taking it more often than recommended, or taking it longer than directed is likely abusing the drug. Using it to achieve a high or euphoric feeling is drug abuse.

Side effects of Ativan abuse include:

• respiratory depression
• excessive sedation or excessive drowsiness
• seizures
• tremors
• constipation
• trouble speaking
• suicidal thoughts
• increased heart rate
• memory impairment
• loss of consciousness

Ativan Overdose

As with abusing any drug, there is a higher risk of overdose, and an overdose of Ativan, especially when mixed with other drugs, can be fatal.  Signs of an Ativan overdose look like: 

• mental confusion
• slurred speech
• lack of energy
• loss of motor skills
• muscle weakness
• low blood pressure
• slow breathing
• passing out
• coma

Ativan Withdrawal Symptoms

While an Ativan high can feel good at the time, when the feeling wears off, you may crave more. After a period of abuse, you could develop a physical or psychological dependence, which may lead to withdrawal when you stop use.

Ativan withdrawal symptoms may include:

• headache
• sweating
• confusion
• increased blood pressure
• rapid heart rate
• nausea/vomiting
• vomiting
• irritability
• anxiety
• mood swings
• panic attacks

Ativan Addiction Treatment

It’s never too late or too early to seek addiction treatment for Ativan abuse. Treatment can range from medical detox to counseling and therapy. Contact our helpline today to find the best option for you or your loved one.

Written by Ark Behavioral Health Editorial Team

©2023 Ark National Holdings, LLC. | All Rights Reserved.

This page does not provide medical advice.

Sources

FDA – Ativan Label
National Center for Biotechnology Information – Lorazepam
National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus – Lorazepam Drug Information

Do Benzodiazepines Cause a High or Euphoria?

Benzodiazepines are a type of prescription drug commonly prescribed to treat mental health disorders like anxiety and insomnia. These medications interact directly with mental pathways that affect an individual’s reward and memory responses, providing a sedative effect.

However, when these medications work in the brain, they also cause a mild to moderate sense of euphoria that can lead individuals to abuse the drugs, either for increased treatment effects or for recreational use. As a result, benzos can lead to addiction and connected difficulties requiring addiction treatment.

Overview of Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines – sometimes referred to as benzos – are sedative medications generally used to treat conditions like anxiety, some forms of depression, and insomnia, as described by Medical News Today. Starting with their development in the early 20^th century, they quickly gained popularity until they became one of the most commonly prescribed drug types in the country.

As with many drugs that have psychoactive effects, people quickly began to note the euphoria that resulted from taking these common medicines. Over time, benzos have become popular, not just as medications used to treat legitimate health conditions, but also as recreational drugs used to provide a euphoric experience or “high.” Whether through this recreational abuse or through abusing the drugs for their treatment effects, benzos have the potential to cause tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

How Benzos Work in the Body

While some of the action of benzos in the body is still not fully understood, it is known that these drugs interact with the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) system in the brain. As described by the Ashton Manual, this neurochemical pathway works to inhibit the action of other neurotransmitters in the brain, such as norepinephrine and dopamine; this slows the body’s overall responses to stimuli, as well as slows heart rate and breathing, relaxes muscles, and eases racing thoughts and stirred emotions. The overall effect is mental and physical sedation and relaxation, which is why these drugs are effective in treating conditions like:

• Anxiety
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Insomnia
• Seizure disorders
• Muscle spasms

There are other areas of the body not related to the GABA system that also react to the use of benzodiazepines

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What Is the Difference between Different Types of Benzos?

While all benzos work on the same basic neurochemical pathways, they can work in different ways depending on the formulation. For this reason, some of these medications may be more appropriate for treating short-term anxiety or panic attacks, while others can aid in treating insomnia problems. Still others can help prevent seizures or ease some symptoms of depression. Based on these various actions, benzos are classified to some degree by “subtypes” correlating to the GABA receptors that mediate the body’s response, as described by Trends in Neuroscience. Generally, these subtype receptors include:

• Alpha 1: sedation, seizure management, and short-term amnesia; implicated in addiction
• Alpha 2: decreased anxiety and muscle relaxation
• Alpha 3: muscle relaxation
• Alpha 5: muscle relaxation and short-term amnesia

There are also beta 3 and gamma 2 subtypes, which appear to be implicated in all of the above responses, including the potential for developing an addiction, particularly for the gamma subtype.

Another difference between different types of benzos has to do with how long they stay in the body to do their work. For example, short-acting benzos may be used to treat intermittent anxiety issues or other short-term, non-chronic conditions; on the other hand, long-acting benzos may be prescribed when a chronic mental health disorder needs to be treated over a long period of time, with a consistent concentration of the drug in the body.

Some of the more popular, specific types of benzos are discussed below.

Alprazolam (Xanax)

The National Library of Medicine describes Xanax as a short-acting benzo that is mostly used to treat short-term or intermittent anxiety or panic disorders. It is often also prescribed to help with anxiety that occurs with mood disorders such as depression. This medication has a high affinity for gamma 2 subtype receptors, and it is considered to be highly addictive.

Diazepam (Valium)

Valium is a common benzo that has become familiar in popular culture through movies and television. According to a fact sheet from the National Traffic and Highway Safety Administration, this long-acting medication is used to treat anxiety and provide sedation, as well as to help manage some disorders related to muscle spasms or seizures. In addition, diazepam may be used to help treat withdrawal from alcohol in people struggling with alcoholism.

Diazepam has a lower affinity for gamma 2 receptors than some other benzos. If tapering from a short-acting or low-dose benzo is required during addiction treatment, diazepam is often used as a substitute for the short-acting benzo because it is more easily able to be tapered accurately over time.

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Ativan is a short- to middle-term benzo, like Xanax. It is also used to treat anxiety issues but can also be applied to insomnia, seizure disorders including severe seizures, or mania. Sometimes lorazepam is provided before surgery as a sedative, according to Healthline. Lorazepam has a high gamma 2 receptor affinity, and it is considered to be highly addictive.

Clonazepam (Klonopin)

The Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders indicates that Klonopin is more sedating than Xanax, making it a potent treatment for more severe anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and PTSD. It is often also used to treat epilepsy, social phobias, and mania.

On the other hand, clonazepam has been shown to trigger depression in some people when using it, and it puts people who take it at a higher risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempts.
A large number of additional benzodiazepine types exist for different therapeutic effects. However, all are considered to have the potential to result in tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

Benzo Addiction Potential

In recent years, it has become well-known that benzodiazepines are highly addictive. In fact, the Royal College of Psychiatrists states that four out of 10 people who take benzos for longer than six weeks will become addicted to the drugs. This is because of the swift way that these medications alter the dopamine and GABA systems, enabling tolerance to develop in a short time.

Tolerance is a state in which the brain’s systems adjust to the presence of a drug, making the drug less effective in managing symptoms. When this happens, some people will begin taking more of the drug or will take it more often to try to recover the original effect. Instead, what ends up happening is an upward spiral that results in further tolerance, additional increases in dosage, and, eventually, an inability to function without the drug. This combination of dependence and tolerance is thought to be what results in the person becoming addicted to benzo use – the state in which the individual is no longer able to control use of the drug.

Treatment for Benzo Abuse

It is possible – and important – to treat addiction to benzodiazepines. While benzo abuse and addiction are not usually fatal on their own, many people who abuse benzos branch out to using other substances, such as alcohol or opioids; these combinations can quickly result in severe health consequences or even death.

Quitting benzos is not just a matter of stopping use. In fact, quitting benzos “cold turkey” can be a risky venture because these drugs have a potentially dangerous withdrawal syndrome that can result in:

• Seizures
• High body temperature
• Heart rate fluctuations
• Breathing problems
• Confusion
• Coma

Because of this risk, a person who is trying to stop use of a benzodiazepine – even a short-acting benzo like Xanax – should get professional support in tapering off the drug. Professionals experienced in treating benzo abuse and addiction may be able to substitute a longer-acting version of a benzo or take other measures to slowly taper the dosage over time, helping the body adjust to loss of the drug faster and resulting in minimized withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, if benzo addiction is suspected, the first step is to get in touch with a reputable, research-based treatment center that can provide detox support or resources and get on a path to a safe, relatively comfortable detox before moving into an addiction treatment program.

About The Contributor

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Author, American Addiction Centers

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Last Updated on Jan 11, 2023

Treatment of addiction to Lorazepam, price and methods of treatment from Lorazepam

What is Lorazepam, origin, history

Lorazepam belongs to psychotropic drugs, tranquilizers of the benzodiazepine series.

The drug was synthesized in the USA in 1963. Since 1977, the drug has already been marketed by the pharmaceutical company Wyeth. The widest possibilities have opened up.

But, unfortunately, already in the 80s, the first information about the emergence of dependence on Lorazepam began to appear.

There is evidence that in the production of this group of drugs it was already known about the possibility of dependence, but such information was not for doctors.

The guilt of the producers has not been proven. And in 2010, secret data on the studies carried out were revealed that benzodiazepine drugs can really lead to brain damage.

However, the effectiveness of Lorazepam is undeniable. It is still one of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines in the US and Western Europe. Lorazepam is also included in the list of essential medicines by the World Health Organization.

Effects on the body

The main effects of Lorazepam on the body are:

1. Sedative.
2. Central.
3. Anticonvulsant.
4. Anxiolytic.
5. Sleeping pills.
6. Muscle relaxant.

Medical indications for prescribing Lorazepam:

1. Acute anxiety disorders.
2. Panic attacks.
3. Emotional anxiety and tension.
4. Preparation before surgery.
5. Nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy.
6. Relief of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

To achieve a therapeutic effect in anxiety, Lorazepam is prescribed up to 2 mg 2-3 times a day. In case of insomnia – 1-4 mg 30 minutes before bedtime.

The use of Lorazepam for a long time, especially in high doses, forms psychological and physical dependence.

To avoid this, continuous use of Lorazepam is excluded. Do not use the drug for more than 4 weeks to avoid the development of drug dependence.

Simultaneous administration with alcohol is strictly contraindicated.

With prolonged use, and even more so with the use of high doses, overdose symptoms develop, in which there are:

1. Confused mind.
2. Drowsiness.
3. Disorientation in space.
4. Coma.

How addiction to Lorazepam develops

The development of dependence on Lorazepam is typical for a third of those taking this drug for more than 4 weeks. Lorazepam is one of those benzodiazepines that have the highest risk of dependence.

Lorazepam can cause drug dependence from the 7th day of administration even without exceeding therapeutic doses.

And if patients begin to violate the dosing regimen, then addiction develops rapidly.

The dangerous thing is that even those who had no addictions before any disease for which Lorazepam is prescribed may be potential drug addicts. Everything can start simply with small doses prescribed by a doctor. Over time, a person begins to understand that he simply cannot do without medicine. This is how addiction develops. The condition is aggravated by the fact that with long-term use of Lorazepam, its effectiveness is significantly reduced, which forces drug addicts to constantly increase the dose. This is how physical addiction develops.

In drug addicts, the maximum effect after an intravenous injection is noted after 10 minutes, with an injection into the muscle – within an hour. But when taking pills, the period takes from 90 to 120 minutes.

To achieve a euphoric state, drug addicts use Lorazepam as an independent drug, and in combination with other drugs. The most common combinations are Lorazepam and tranquilizers, Lorazepam and alcohol.

Signs of use

As a person becomes dependent on Lorazepam, behavioral and physical changes develop. Typical markers of Lorazepam abuse are:

1. Being in a euphoric state.
2. The clarity of perception of the surrounding world is reduced.
3. Development of apathy, drowsiness, lethargy.
4. Sharp bouts of rage, aggression for no apparent reason.
5. Gradual onset of frequent mood swings over short periods of time.
6. Loss of self-organization.
7. Development of forgetfulness regarding the performance of one’s duties.
8. Change in gait – becomes shaky, uncertain.
9. Staggering in standing position develops.
10. Frequent states of entering into a stupor.
11. Decreased reaction speed, the ability to concentrate on one type of object or action for a long time.
12. When taking high doses may develop hallucinations, twilight disorders of consciousness.
13. Psychosis, delirium.
14. The appearance of defects on the skin.

It is quite difficult to have a dialogue with such people. Their speech becomes slurred and slurred. Thoughts and remarks are interrupted all the time, as the patient constantly jumps from one topic to another.

With a sharp withdrawal of the drug, withdrawal syndrome develops – “withdrawal”. This is accompanied by mental and physical disorders.

Psychiatric disorders:

1. Irritability, which can develop into aggression.
2. Tension.
3. Depression, lethargy.
4. Development of restlessness, anxiety, panic.
5. Fatigue.
6. Sleep disturbance with frequent nightmares.
7. Depersonalization.

Physical disorders:

1. Violation of autonomic functions in the form of sweating, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, increased body temperature.
2. Refusal to eat.
3. Nausea, vomiting.
4. Headaches, dizziness.
5. Trembling of the fingers.
6. Discoordination of movements.
7. Visual disturbances.
8. Difficult speech.
9. Sensory disorders.
10. Photophobia.
11. Acute hearing, smell, taste, tactile sensitivity.
12. Frequent alternations of feeling hot and cold.

From the second or third day may appear:

1. Twitching of the muscles of the face, arms, legs.
2. Pale skin.
3. Pupil dilation.
4. Poor reaction to light.
5. Development of nystagmus.

The duration of the withdrawal syndrome in lorazepam dependence ranges from 2 weeks to a month. Cases of the duration of “breaking” up to six months are described.

Consequences of use

The result of lorazepam addiction is:

1. The development of personality defects with a complete change in a person’s personality.
2. Intellectual-mnestic disorders.
3. Acquisition of a mask-like face.
4. Depletion of facial expressions.
5. Slowness of speech and all movements.
6. Rudeness, selfishness.
7. Callousness, indifference, cruelty.
8. Loss of moral and ethical standards of behavior.
9. Almost complete loss of performance.
10. The development of lesions of internal organs, primarily the liver.
11. Intravenous vascular lesions.

Can I quit on my own? Treatment of addiction to Lorazepam

Even if a person independently came to the decision to stop taking Lorazepam, it is almost impossible to do it on his own. The abstinence that occurs after the withdrawal does not allow you to do it yourself. Only when you are in a drug treatment clinic can you get rid of addiction.

Treatment consists of the following manipulations:

1. Compulsory hospitalization.
2. Cancel Lorazepam.
3. Detoxification therapy.
4. Symptomatic treatment.
5. Rehabilitation period.

All stages of drug addiction treatment are extremely important

Lorazepam — drug efficacy, description and composition

About the projectHow it worksAbout evidence-based medicineFeedback

About the projectHow it worksAbout evidence-based medicineFeedback

The drug has proven effectiveness 900 05

Medicinal product

Indications and clinic. manifestations

• • Withdrawal state

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Lorazepam

Indications for use

• • Withdrawal state
• • Dystonia 900 28
• • Neurasthenia
• • Neurotic disorder, unspecified
• • Panic disorder [episodic paroxysmal anxiety]
• • Preparatory procedures for subsequent treatment or examination, not elsewhere classified
• • Sleep-wake disorder of non-organic etiology
• • Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder
• • Somatoform dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system
• • Anxiety disorder, unspecified
• • Phobic anxiety disorders

Breastfeeding risk

Minimal

Compatibility with breastfeeding. High level of safety for an infant or lactation.

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International clinical guidelines

Included in: Evaluation and Management of Chronic Insomnia in Adults

JCSM

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Apo-Lorazepam

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You can check the presence of the drug in the lists yourself and study clinical studies on this active ingredient

Checking the active ingredient

• lorazepam

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  medicine, bringing together 37,000 scientists from more than 130 countries.

• RXLIST

  Listed

  US key online resource for originator and generic drugs.

• WHO ADULT LIST

  Listed on the

  WHO List of Essential Medicines for Adults.

• WHO KIDS LIST

  Listed

  WHO List of Essential Medicines for Children.

How to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug

1. We understand which active substance of the drug should be analyzed
2. We are looking for meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials on the active substance in international databases
3. Based on the amount of data collected, we conclude that there is a proven efficacy of the drug

A scientific approach to choosing a drug

90 002 Evidence medicine is the most advanced method of clinical practice to date, used in all developed countries.

A doctor who uses the principles of evidence-based medicine in everyday clinical practice, makes decisions based not on personal experience or the experience of colleagues, will prescribe to the patient only those drugs that have been tested by clinical trials, that is, their effectiveness has been proven.

The meaning of evidence-based medicine

International databases of drugs and clinical trials

• Worldwide database of medical publications with more than 28 million articles

• Global independent medical research database of 37,000 scientists from over 130 countries

• US-based key online resource for original and generic drugs

• 90 002 World Organization List of Essential Medicines WHO Essential Medicines List

A drug is only proven to be effective when there are positive results from high-quality clinical trials

Why is this so?

Questions and answers

How is the proven efficacy of a medicinal product determined?

According to the principles of evidence-based medicine, the drug is considered effective only in the presence of positive results of clinical studies of a high level of evidence. The effectiveness of a drug that has even a huge number of studies of a lower level cannot be considered proven.

How are high-quality clinical trials conducted for drugs?

In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), participants are randomly assigned to groups. Some patients fall into the experimental group, while others fall into the control group. Both groups are followed for a certain period of time and analyze the outcomes formulated at the beginning of the study. The effectiveness of treatment is evaluated in comparison with the control group.

An analysis of the combined results of several RCTs is called a meta-analysis. By increasing the sample size in a meta-analysis, more statistical power, and, therefore, the accuracy of assessing the effect of the analyzed intervention, is provided.

What is the therapeutic efficacy of drugs?

It is worth separating the concepts of proven efficacy and therapeutic efficacy of drugs. Therapeutic efficacy is the ability to produce an effect (for example, lowering blood pressure), proven efficacy reliably confirms therapeutic efficacy. Thus, in theory, a drug may have therapeutic efficacy without having proven efficacy.

What are the criteria for assessing the proven efficacy of a drug in the MedIQ project?

We use the world’s largest and most reliable drug and clinical trial databases as criteria for assessing proven efficacy. An example is the List of Essential Medicines of the World Health Organization. Any drug included in this list is vital for the treatment of various diseases, proven by numerous clinical studies.

If a drug has no studies, but it works for me, is it proven to work?

According to the principles of evidence-based medicine, a drug can be considered proven effective only if there are positive results from clinical studies of a high level of evidence. Your personal experience or the unconfirmed opinion of a doctor cannot be evidence.

I don’t trust the results of your analysis. How can I check them?

The MedIQ evidence-based system is transparent, each user can check which active substance is analyzed and study the results of studies for each criterion.