Curious to know how long does Ativan stay in your system? Our latest blog entry tries to answer this problem while presenting other useful info that may help people especially in understanding long-term risks in Lorazepam use. Continue reading to find out more.
How Long Does Ativan Last in the Body and by Type of Drug Tests?
A drug test is a mandatory requirement for school or at work. It helps the organization to identify if their employee or student is under the influence of a dangerous drug. Some of the common drug test methods include urine tests and saliva tests. In some cases, a hair test and blood test may suffice.
Ativan in Urine Tests
Urine screening tests show that Ativan may be detected in the urine for up to six days. Meanwhile, other urine drug tests can detect the presence for up to nine days.
Ativan in Hair Follicle Tests
Hair samples are the most concrete and reliable source of evidence as they can detect Ativan for up to 30 to 90 days.
Ativan in Saliva Tests
Oral fluid sampling can detect traces of Lorazepam for about 8 hours since the last dose.
Ativan Detection in Blood Tests
Blood tests have the shortest detection period for Ativan. In under six hours post-ingestion, you can detect this drug used to treat anxiety.
What is Ativan (Lorazepam)?
Lorazepam or Ativan is a Schedule IV controlled substance or Schedule IV drug under the Controlled Substances Act. It also falls under benzodiazepines—types of drugs used to treat anxiety or a different mental health disorder such as seizure disorders. Younger people often fall prey to Lorazepam addiction.
Some of the known side effects of Ativan use include:
- dizziness
- nausea
- blurred vision
- constipation
- heartburn
It may also trigger serious side effects compared to other medications, such as:
- lower blood flow
- anxiety
- aggression
- memory issues
- signs of infection
- fatal respiratory depression
The half-life of Ativan is estimated at around half a day (12 hours) but may vary from person to person and a person's last dose. The fast-acting drug should only be taken under the strict supervision of an attending physician. Always remember that the drug differently reacts from one person to another.
Determining Factors on How Long Ativan Stays in Your System
Many factors may impact a person's system. When you think about the question, "How long does Ativan stay in your system?", there are many things you would consider—especially when these drugs not just alter a person's central nervous system, but also other aspects of their body.
Some of these influences may be the following:
- renal & hepatic health - people who encounter kidney and liver impairment may not have an impact on Ativan clearance rates.
- frequency and amount of dosage - people taking Ativan in large doses regularly may have drug build-up in their system. Therefore, the time it may take them to process the drug will be longer.
- presence of other disorders - when you pair substance abuse with a dual diagnosis disorder, the patient will take more time in flushing away the presence of Ativan in a person's system.
- Age - Younger people have a stronger tolerance to drugs. Older people (60 years and up) with health issues will struggle to excrete other substances like Lorazepam or Benzos off their bodies.
- The half-life of Ativan - The term "half-life" refers to the period a person's body can flush away half of the drug. Drugs like Ativan stay in your system for a while but may be excreted in half the amount for about 12 hours.
Should you have concerns about how long drugs like Ativan stay in your system, you should consult professional medical advice from recovery specialists.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Ativan?
When a struggling individual finally decides when enough is enough, certain things may happen. They may either feel better or worse about their situation. Oftentimes, stopping Ativan substance use has two stages: acute and protracted withdrawals.
Withdrawal symptoms may vary from person to person, but they often share a commonality for most people. Here are some of the symptoms they may encounter:
- irritable bowel syndrome
- intense drug cravings
- sweating
- uncontrolled trembling of the hands
- motor skill issues
- headaches
- anxiety
- erratic blood pressure readings
- weight changes
- palpitations
When a person enters the second stage or "protracted withdrawal," they may feel more intense and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. They may include the following:
- depression
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- decreased organ function
- lethargy
If these drugs worsen through time, you must consult a medical professional to better help you with the best option to counter these physical signs. People with worsening behavioral health conditions should also be a point of concern for family members and attending physicians.
About Ativan Misuse and Addiction Treatment
While Ativan or Lorazepam are some of the few prescription drugs used in strict regulation, people find themselves developing a physical dependence on the benzodiazepine drug. Some of the signs that people must watch out for in Lorazepam drug abuse include:
- Inability to function without the drug.
- Your Ativan prescription and dosage no longer work and you tend to self-medicate by increasing the amount and incorporating other benzodiazepines.
- You obtain Ativan illegally alongside other drugs
- Isolation
- Poor performance at work or in school activities
- Change of behavior towards family/friends/partner
- Financial problems due to drugs
- Aggressive behavior
These several factors may also be fueled by consuming alcohol or other substances. A suffering individual must consult licensed medical professionals to be properly oriented on what they can do to manage their drug addiction.
As for addiction treatment programs, there are many options available for people to enroll at. You can get treatment for Ativan addiction through the following:
- Detoxification - affiliate programs focus on gradually withdrawing a person from their drug dependence with the help of rehabilitation specialists and through living arrangements, such as sober living.
- Behavioral therapy - using cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior for recovery is beneficial for recovering individuals. This can be part of an inpatient or outpatient mental health program.
- Group sessions - Talking with a group of people or one-on-one with a mental health mentor helps an individual to face their addiction better. This may be complemented with arranged living spaces such as transitional housing.
How To Get Help from Ativan Addiction?
Recovery partners such as Transcend Recovery Community work with various affiliate programs to provide a wide array of services for an individual seeking rehabilitation. We provide a holistic approach when it comes to our recovery programs too.
We also recommend introducing recovery home arrangements as these may help an individual get better surrounded by a supportive environment.
All you need to do is to contact us and our recovery counselor can get in touch with you in helping you figure out the best way to get started with your recovery program. Starting with diagnosis and counseling, the path to long-term sobriety is now within sight.
