Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine-type tranquilizer, is prescribed to treat a range of conditions. It relieves anxiety by slowing down the brain.

Within drugs of its class, Lorazepam has a high potential for recreational abuse and addiction. Lorazepam has also been used for criminal purposes, due to its sedative-hypnotic effect and its ability to induce amnesia.

Alternative  & street names:

Lorazepam is a generic term for the drug; it might be referred to as its brand name, Ativan, manufactured by Wyeth. On the street, it could be referred to as “benzos,” “tranqs,” “downers,” “nerve pills.”

How is it taken?

Lorazepam is taken orally as a table or syrup or injeccted as a solution intravenously or deep intramuscle injection.

Effects of consumption

Lorazepam is prescribed for short-term treatment of insomnia, acute seizures and anxiety. It is used in hospitals for the sedation of patients, including aggressive patients.

Lorazepan users tend to have amnesia for the period of time they were on the drug.

Impact on the mind/body and health risks

Negative side effects of Lorazepam include:

• amnesia
• sedation
• depression

Valium users can develop a tolerance, which can lead to addiction that then leads to withdrawal syndrome upon reduction of dosage.

While relatively nontoxic on its own, if mixed with alcohol or other drugs, Lorazepam could become fatal.

Compared to other drugs in the benzodiazepine family, lorazepam has a more profound negative impact on users’ memories.

Signs of abuse of this substance

Lorazepam users can develop a tolerance to the drug, which could lead to addiction.

Recreational users may use Lorazepam as a “come down” drug to cushion their crash from other illegal drug use. Mixing Lorazepam with alcohol can have a synergistic effect, creating disinhibition and amnesia of the event.

Taking too large of a dose could resort in ataxia, vertigo and slurred speech. A user who has overdosed on Lorazepam might exhibit these additional symptoms:

• Drowsiness
• central nervous system depression
• mental confusion
• dysarthia
• lethargy
• hyptonia
• respiratory or cardiovascular depression
• hypnotic state

Common treatment options

When Lorazepam abusers come to terms with their addiction, their next step is finding a treatment facility that meets their needs.

Those with a physical dependence on Lorazepam will need a 24/7 facility that offers detox services with medical supervision. Those with psychological dependence will need a facility with counseling and therapy options.

Overcoming Lorazepam addiction almost always requires supervised detox and inpatient monitoring and counseling.

Withdrawal/detox symptoms

Most doctors wean Lorazepam patients off the drug slowly with gradual doses to avoid the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.

Those at risk of suffering from Lorazepam withdrawal should ask their doctor for help, even if they are abusing Lorazepam or obtaining it illegally.

Symptoms of Lorazepam withdrawal include:

·         Dizziness

·         Personality changes

·         Sensitivity to sound or light

·         Numbness or tingling

·         nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

·         rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations

·         hallucinations

·         memory loss

·         panic attacks

·         anxiety

·         seizures

·         fever

·         headaches

·         tension

·         depression

·         insomnia

·         sweating

Some withdrawal symptoms, like rebound anxiety and rebound insomnia, may develop after only taking Lorazepam for 7 days.