The Dangers of Misusing Lorazepam
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine drug that has sedative and hypnotic properties. It is also known as Ativan, which is the brand name for lorazepam. Lorazepam is a long-duration drug used to treat anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms and insomnia. Benzodiazepines are one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world and have many practical uses in medicine as a short-term treatment for a variety of symptoms. Like most medications that produce a psychoactive effect, lorazepam is often misused recreationally. Many people have become dependent on lorazepam and other benzodiazepines.
There are many possible dangerous side effects that come with misusing and abusing lorazepam, such as paranoia, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, shaking, tremors, nausea, loss of motor ability, confusion and amnesia. When used over time, people taking lorazepam are likely to develop a tolerance to the drug that leads to dependency.
People who become addicted to lorazepam will eventually have to face the often-painful withdrawal symptoms involved with quitting. Benzodiazepines can have intense physical withdrawal symptoms, so much so that doctors have created a term for it – benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. People who have become dependent upon lorazepam have to start taking the drug in incrementally smaller doses in order to avoid suffering intense withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can include insomnia, seizures, hallucinations, irritability, digestive problems, panic attacks, depression and suicide.
Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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