Ativan and Alcohol

Ativan and Alcohol Experience

You should avoid drinking while taking Ativan. Mixing alcohol and Ativan can cause the Ativan to have increased and potentially life-threatening side effects. For example, the risk for serious side effects like slowed breathing rises if a person has been drinking while taking Ativan. In addition, mixing Ativan with alcohol can also impact cognitive abilities in people who drink chronically.

You should avoid drinking while taking Ativan. Mixing alcohol and Ativan can cause the Ativan to have increased and potentially life-threatening side effects. For example, the risk for serious side effects like slowed breathing rises if a person has been drinking while taking Ativan. In addition, mixing Ativan with alcohol can also impact cognitive abilities in people who drink chronically.

Ativan is a Schedule IV controlled substance, and its use can lead to dependence and abuse. Though most benzodiazepines, such as Ativan, can be abused independently, they are often abused with other substances, such as alcohol and opioids. For example, in studies, 3% to 41% of alcoholics state that they abuse benzodiazepines to heighten the effects of alcohol or lessen the effects of withdrawal.

Ativan and Alcohol Reactions

Can you mix ativan and alcohol? Taking alcohol with benzos may cause alcohol’s depressant qualities to work faster because both substances are downers. Because both drugs slow down your central nervous system, taking benzos with alcohol makes it easier to go into cardiac or respiratory arrest. The risk of alcohol poisoning also increases with this mixture, especially if taking an extended-release version of benzodiazepines.

Ativan and alcohol interactions may cause alcohol’s depressant qualities to work quickly because both substances are downers. Because both alcohol and Ativan slow down your central nervous system (CNS), taking Ativan and alcohol combo makes it easier to go into respiratory or cardiac arrest. The risk of alcohol poisoning also increases.

Signs of Ativan Abuse

Generally speaking, about one-third of people who take benzodiazepines for longer than four weeks will develop a dependence on them. This number is likely higher in the case of lorazepam (Ativan). Ativan is widely used recreationally worldwide because of the pleasurable “high“ it produces in the user. Unfortunately, it is also used in many criminal activities, including rape and robbery.

• Despite initial intentions, the person takes too much Ativan or takes it for a more extended period of time than expected.
• There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to cut down or control the use of Ativan.
• The person spends a disproportionate amount of time using Ativan, getting Ativan, or recovering after using Ativan.
• The person has cravings to use Ativan. Due to Ativan abuse, the person cannot perform to the necessary standard at work, school, or home.
• Users continue to use the drug even though doing so is causing interpersonal problems.
• Users don’t partake in essential work activities, hobbies, or social events due to the Ativan abuse.
• The person repeatedly uses Ativan even when doing so puts them in danger or at risk for a host of troubles such as drugged driving.
• The person continues to use Ativan even though it is causing psychological or physical problems.
• Users develop a tolerance for Ativan. Tolerance is a natural process that requires a person to take more of a drug as time passes.
• The person goes into withdrawal. Withdrawal is a natural process that occurs when a person stops using the drug or reduces the familiar amount of the drug used.

Ativan and Alcohol Death

Overdosing on Lorazepam/Ativan can be deadly and requires emergency medical attention.

Signs of an overdose on Lorazepam and alcohol include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Extreme drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Slowed heart rate
• Clammy hands
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

One of the most dangerous things about an alcohol/Ativan overdose is that one of the main signals – loss of consciousness – is something most people already associate with alcohol in a less serious sense. People around the person who has overdosed may think that he or she is simply “sleeping it off” when in reality, they may be slipping into a coma or close to death.

Ativan and Alcohol Hangover

Taking Ativan for alcohol hangover symptoms would technically be considered prescription drug abuse since that isn’t what it’s prescribed for. It is an all-around bad idea. If you struggle with “hangxiety”, a combination of the terms “hangover” and “anxiety, counseling may be the most effective strategy to reduce the symptoms.

The co-occurrence of alcohol and anxiety disorders is relatively common. Alcohol abuse and anxiety often make each other significantly worse. This is especially problematic as the two are often closely linked. Anxiety disorder makes an individual start drinking alcohol, which worsens their anxiety, which leads them to drink more and worsens their anxiety further. It’s a never-ending vicious cycle of alcohol and anxiety.

Alcoholism Treatment

First and foremost, if you think a loved one is abusing Ativan and alcohol, you should research the drug and its associated addiction to understand better what your loved one needs.  Next, you must plan an intervention to provide your loved ones with options to battle the effects of Ativan and alcohol abuse in a safe and supportive environment. During this intervention, offer compassion and support instead of judgment. Lastly, show your support throughout the entire treatment process.

In addition, prolonged drug use can have severe physical and psychological effects on you, so it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Inpatient drug rehab offers intensive care that can help you promptly get through the early stages of alcohol withdrawal. 

Ativan and Alcohol Detox Treatment

Ativan and alcohol detox is the process of weaning someone off of a dependency to a substance. It allows members of rehab centers like We Level Up NJ to recover safely and comfortably. While an uncomfortable withdrawal from alcohol is unavoidable, it doesn’t have to be unbearable.

Medical detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated ativan and alcohol withdrawal from alcohol and Ativan but doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior contributing to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete the ativan and alcohol detox.

Cravings are very common during ativan and alcohol detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can give the necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and ativan and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Inpatient Alcohol and Ativan Rehab

There isn’t one treatment approach or style that will suit everyone. Treatment should speak to the needs of the individual. Inpatient rehab and addiction treatment aren’t just about drug use. the goal is to help the patient stop using alcohol and other substances, but alcohol rehab should also focus on the whole person’s needs.

Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior. When someone or their family is considering different treatment facilities, they should account for the complexity of addiction and the needs of the individual. The objective of attending an inpatient rehab center for addiction treatment is to stop using the drug and re-learn how to live a productive life without it.

Following a full medical detox, most people benefit from inpatient rehab. Inpatient drug rehab can last anywhere from 28 days to several months. Patients stay overnight in the rehab facility and participate in intensive treatment programs and therapy. Once someone completes rehab, their addiction treatment team will create an aftercare plan, which may include continuing therapy and participation in a 12-step program like Narcotics Anonymous.

Psychotherapy 

Many rehab programs will also have early morning classes or programs. Group sessions occur during inpatient rehab, as do individual therapy sessions. Family therapy may be part of inpatient rehab when it’s feasible. Alternative forms of therapy may be introduced during inpatient rehab, like a holistic therapy program, yoga for addiction recovery, or an addiction treatment massage therapy.

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves changing both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Solution-focused therapy is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Drug abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorders and substance abuse. Dual diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. This strategy treats both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend mainly on the treatment for both diseases done by the same team or provider.