tivan addiction is a very serious and sometimes life threatening dilemma. Not only is it difficult for the addict, it is extremely hard on those around them who care about them. For the addict, admitting they have an addiction problem can be difficult.
However painful this may be, it must be acknowledged as the first gradient to overcoming the problem. The next hurdle is being willing to seek & accept help from an addiction professional. It can be hard for an addict to confront the fact that they can not do it alone. Once this fact is accepted, it is time to seek the appropriate professional treatment. Drug rehab programs based on the social education modality are highly successful. This means that individuals who are recovering from Ativan addiction are not made wrong for their past indiscretions, but are taught how to avoid future ones. They are provided with knowledge on how to change their lives and how to live comfortably without Ativan. Receiving treatment for addiction should be done in a safe & stable environment that is conducive to addiction recovery. Research studies show that residential treatment programs of at least 3 months in duration have the best success rates. 3 months may seem like a long time, but one day in the life of an individual addicted to Ativan can feel like an eternity. Addiction is a self imposed hellish slavery. The chains can be broken people do it everyday. You can be free!
rug rehabilitation is a multi-phase, multi-faceted, long term process. Detoxification is only the first
step on the road of addiction treatment. Physical detoxification alone is not sufficient to change
the patterns of a drug addict. Recovery from addiction involves an extended process which usually
requires the help of drug addiction professionals. To make a successful recovery, the addict needs new
tools in order to deal with situations and problems which arise. Factors such as encountering someone
from their days of using, returning to the same environment and places, or even small things such as
smells and objects trigger memories which can create psychological stress. This can hinder the addict's
goal of complete recovery, thus not allowing the addict to permanently regain control of his or her life.
lmost all addicts tell themselves in the beginning that they can conquer their addiction on their own
without the help of outside resources. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case.
When an addict makes an attempt at detoxification and to discontinue
drug use without the aid of professional help, statistically the results do not last long. Research into the
effects of long-term addiction has shown that substantial changes in the way the brain functions are present
long after the addict has stopped using drugs. Realizing that a drug addict who wishes to recover from their
addiction needs more than just strong will power is the key to a successful recovery. Battling not only cravings
for their drug of choice, re-stimulation of their past and changes in the way their brain functions, it is no
wonder that quitting drugs without professional help is an uphill battle.
As an organization we are dedicated to finding the correct solution for your specific addiction problem. Our referral list
contains over 3,000 resources which encompass the following treatment categories :
An
estimated 9 million people aged 12 and older used prescription
drugs for non-medical reasons in 1999; more than a quarter
of that number reported using prescription drugs non-medically
for the first time in the previous year.
Q)
What is Ativan?
A)
Ativan is the brand name for Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety agent.
Ativan is a benzodiazepine and mild tranquilizer, sedative,
and central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Ativan is manufactured
in pill form as well as liquid form for injection.
Q)
How is Ativan used?
A)
Ativan tablets are a nearly white powder and are almost insoluble
in water. Each Ativan tablet intended for oral use contains
.5mg, 1mg, or 2mg of lorazepam. In liquid form Ativan is intended
for intramuscular or intravenous use. Each ml or Ativan injection
contains either 2.0 or 4.0 mg of lorazepam, 0.18 ml polyethylene
glycol 400 in propylene glycol with 2.0% benzyl alcohol as preservative.
Q)
When are the effects of Ativan typically felt?
A)
The effects of Ativan are usually felt one to five minutes after
receiving it intravenously, 15 to 30 minutes after muscular
injection, or 1 to 6 hours after oral administration.
Q)
Is Ativan considered addictive?
A)
Yes, Ativan is very addictive and can cause psychological and
physical dependence.
Q)
What are the side effects of Ativan?
A)
There are many side effects that come with the use and abuse
of Ativan, they included but are not limited to:
clumsiness,
dizziness, sleepiness, unsteadiness, weakness, amnesia, insomnia,
agitation, disorientation, depression, headache, visual problems,
nausea, abdominal discomfort, drowsiness, blurred vision,
tachycardia, weakness, disinhibition (where they act inappropriately
grandiose or out-of-control), anterograde amnesia (decreased
or lack of recall of events during period of drug action)
has been reported after administration of Ativan and appears
to be dose-related, injectable Ativan results in an increased
incidence of sedation, hallucination, and irrational behavior,
some patients on Ativan have developed leukopenia, both elevation
and lowering of blood sugar levels have been reported.
Cognitive
Side Effects
Memory functioning is markedly and measurably impaired, especially
the ability to store acquired knowledge into long-term memory.
This memory impairment is highly relevant to students. The
risk of acute amnesia is more pronounced with short-acting
drugs. Ativan (lorazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Xanax (alprazolam)
and Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) are especially likely to induce
such memory impairment.
Q)
What are the symptoms of withdrawal?
A)
Withdrawal symptoms, similar in character to those noted with
barbiturates and alcohol (convulsions, tremor, abdominal and
muscle cramps, vomiting, and sweating), have occurred following
abrupt discontinuance of Ativan. The more severe withdrawal
symptoms have usually been limited to those patients who received
excessive doses over an extended period of time.
Q)
What are the symptoms of Ativan overdose?
A)
The symptoms of Ativan overdose are degrees of central nervous
system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma. In mild cases,
symptoms include drowsiness, mental confusion, and lethargy.
In more serious cases, and especially when other drugs or alcohol
were ingested, symptoms may include ataxia, hypotonia, hypotension,
hypnotic state, stage one (1) to three (3) coma, and very rarely,
death.
Q)
What drug interactions occur with Ativan?
A)
Drugs or substances that may interact with Ativan include:
1.
Clozaril (clozapine) - when taken with Ativan can increase
side effects such as sedation and loss of coordination
2. Heparin, Macrolide antibiotics, Depakene (valproic acid),
and Benemid (probenecid) - when taken with Ativan can increase
its effects
3. Birth control pills, caffeine/amphetamines/other stimulants,
and Theo-Dur (theophylline) - these drugs can reduce Ativan's
effects
4. Lithium - when taken with Ativan can lower body temperature
5. Perocet (oxycodone) and other central nervous system (CNS)
depressants - can cause a slower rate of breathing when taken
with Ativan
6. Dilantin (pheytoin) - can cause Dilatin or Ativan blood
levels to change
7. Narcotics, marijuana, tobacco smoking - can increase sedation
8. Sedatives, sleeping pills, other benzodiazepines - combination
with Ativan could cause death
9. Alcohol - when taken with Ativan can lower breathing rate
and blood pressure resulting in unconsciousness
