Ativan For Alcohol Withdrawal

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Using Ativan for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol is rarely viewed as a drug, much less an addiction. Alcoholism is often brushed under the rug by many because it being socially acceptable to enjoy a drink here and there. However, when one or two drinks leads to more and more to the point you cannot function without alcohol, you have a problem that needs treatment.

Treatment centers understand how uncomfortable the side effects of detoxing from alcohol can be. To ease the detox and help you get through the process, Ativan addiction is used as an adjunct therapy. Using Ativan for alcohol withdrawal is a smart treatment option.

What is Ativan?

Ativan is the brand name for Lorazepam, which belongs to benzodiazepines. Most treatment centers use Lorazepam for alcohol withdrawal. This drug is often prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, general anxiety, epilepsy, and other anxiety-related disorders. When we go into treatment for alcohol, Ativan takes the edge off the withdrawal symptoms during detox.

How Ativan Eases Alcohol Withdrawal

Ativan is one of many benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal. During detox, Ativan blocks certain neurotransmitters known as gamma-aminobutyric acid. This chemical produced by the brain causes us to feel anxious. As alcohol withdrawal begins, our body tells our brain, “Hey, something’s not right.”

The brain starts to release the chemical (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and when this occurs, we begin to feel anxious, jittery, on edge, and panicky. When Ativan is administered, the “anxiety chemical” is blocked, making us feel much calmer. Other alcohol withdrawal symptoms that Ativan eases include DTs (delirium tremens,) hallucinations, and seizures.

When you hear a treatment center mention “medical detox,” using Ativan for alcohol withdrawal is one of those medical detox methods. Various medications are used to alleviate the severity of withdrawal, whether it be from alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Within hours of alcohol cessation, withdrawal symptoms begin to occur.

Minor Symptoms

You will begin to feel common symptoms that are normal for alcohol withdrawal.

Within Six Hours (can last up to six days)

• Severe craving for alcohol
• Anxious
• Feeling on edge
• Headache
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• No appetite
• Insomnia

Moderate to Severe Symptoms

As detox continues, you may experience symptoms that require close monitoring and medical intervention in addition to Ativan.

Within Six Hours (can last up to 48 hours)

• Seizures
  • 25% of people experience seizures during detox

Within 48-72 Hours (can last up to two weeks)

• DTs (delirium tremens)
• Confusion
• Disoriented
• Agitation
• Fever
• High Blood Pressure
• Profuse Sweating
• Tachycardia

Within 24 Hours (can last up to six days)

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things)

Side Effects of Ativan

Within the confines of a treatment center, medical professionals ensure that you receive the correct dosage of Ativan. The use of this medication is done as a short-term treatment to get you through detox and withdrawal. Once you have stabilized, you will be tapered off of Ativan to prevent dependency. As with any other drug, you may experience a few side effects of Ativan.

Side Effects

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Impaired function or thinking
• Headache
• Parasomnia
• Disinterested
• Depression

Mental Illness and Alcohol Withdrawal

Mental disorders can easily co-occur with the abuse of alcohol. Many common disorders that accompany alcohol abuse include depression, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The use of alcohol is typically used to mask symptoms of mental disorders. When this happens, a dual diagnosis treatment plan is indicated once in a treatment center. Detox and withdrawing can significantly increase the intensity of mental disorders if left unchecked.

Treatment for Alcoholism

If you find that it is easier for you to continue drinking rather than facing withdrawal, you need help. For many of us who choose alcohol over getting sober, we may be afraid of going through detox. We want you to know that medical detox and the use of Ativan for withdrawal help ease you through the process.

Having someone by your side the entire time is comforting. We understand exactly what you are going through right now with trying to fight having that next drink. The desire to stop is there.

Getting help is not as hard as you might imagine. All you must do is make that call to us. From that moment on, we guide you through every step. What is surprising to most of our former residents is that the hardest part of the treatment was taking that first step to make that call.

When you call us, there is always someone to answer the phone 24/7. You do not need to explain anything or go into detail because we know how uncomfortable it can make you. All you need to do is let us know you are ready to get help. When you arrive at our center, you are welcomed as part of the family. We do not regard you as a “patient” but rather a resident who is like family.

Our treatment center here at Resurgence is not like the cold institutional-like facilities of yesteryears. As you step through the front door upon arriving here, you will be surprised to find it is just like being at home. Residents from all walks of life come here for help. Celebrities, CEOs, teachers, mothers, fathers, and even the elderly have been through our doors.

We offer accommodations that range from standard to luxury with amenities. The comfort and lifestyle of residents should never get in the way of getting treatment. We go the extra mile to make you as comfortable as possible during your stay here. Specialized treatment programs, such as faith-based and holistic, are also available.

The atmosphere here is serene, peaceful, and healing, just as if you were at the finest spa. The environment embraces your body, mind, and soul as you get better. However, just be forewarned that , we may have residents gather for a feisty evening of cards or board games in the evenings.

Our treatment program includes using evidence-based therapies that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. We also teach you skills and coping strategies to carry you through life. Detox is a necessary part of treatment for alcoholism. As we mentioned previously, you can safely and comfortably detox medically.

Ativan is part of an arsenal of detox therapies that we use. It is important that we do everything we can to make detox a more pleasant experience rather than a negative one. Full disclosure and transparency of everything we do and use put your mind at peace, knowing you are in good hands.

Once you have completed detox, you go on to partial hospitalization, where you learn to get back to living slowly. Outpatient status comes next, and this day is something all our residents look forward to. You work hard to get to this point, and feeling proud of your accomplishment is something that we all celebrate with you. You will continue coming to the center as an outpatient during scheduled therapy visits.

Payment and Insurance

Payments and insurance should never get in the way of your treatment. We offer payment options, which include payment plans. You can also make payments through our secure online payment service.

We accept most PPO insurances. If you do not see your insurance in our listing below, give us a call. Payment options include private pay and payment plans.

• Assurant Health
• Vista Insurance Partners
• Humana
• Ameritas Group
• Health Net
• Cigna
• Horizon Blue Cross
• Premera Blue Cross
• Blue Cross Blue Shield

Do not put off getting treatment because of trying to avoid withdrawal. Now that you know it is not as bad as you thought, you can easily pass up that next drink and, instead, call us. We are waiting for your call.