Ativan Withdrawal Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

On average, acute Ativan withdrawal symptoms last for about 5 days. Meanwhile, protracted or post-acute withdrawal can last weeks, months, or even years after quitting Ativan (lorazepam).[1]

Both stages are uncomfortable, and some symptoms can be life-threatening. Some people develop seizures during lorazepam withdrawal caused by an addiction to Ativan. 

Never stop using Ativan without talking to a doctor and creating a plan first. Your doctor can make a slow-moving taper schedule that helps you get sober while keeping you safe. You may also want to consider a medical detox program, especially if your addiction or dependence is severe.

How Long Does Ativan Withdrawal Take?

Ativan Withdrawal Timeline 

If you stop taking Ativan abruptly, you can develop a series of uncomfortable systems that last for weeks. The withdrawal timeline is dependent upon a drug’s half-life, as well as the onset of effects and how long they last. Ativan is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine, and a typical withdrawal process looks like the following:[2]

Time Since Last Dose	Symptoms	Intensity
6-8 hours	Anxiety, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, tremors, sweating	Moderate
24-48 hours	Seizures, hallucinations, agitation, tremors, confusion	High, peak intensity
4-5 days	Cravings, anxiety, sleep disturbances	Moderate/mild, symptoms tend to resolve
Several weeks or months	Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and cravings	Mild, fluctuating

This withdrawal timeline is for those who quit Ativan cold turkey or on their own, without any medical care, supervision, or guidance. It is how your body will naturally move through withdrawal and rid your body of Ativan and other toxins. However, many factors affect how long lorazepam withdrawal will last.

Factors Affecting the Lorazepam Withdrawal Timeline

The factors that affect the Ativan withdrawal timeline include:

• Whether you taper off of Ativan or not (tapering will make withdrawal and detox last much longer)
• Your individual physiology
• Your liver functioning
• Your previous withdrawal experiences
• Co-occurring medical conditions
• The method of administration (e.g. injecting or snorting)
• How long you’ve been using Ativan and what dose
• Whether you mix lorazepam with other substances like alcohol or opioids

How Long Does Lorazepam Withdrawal Last with a Taper?

Ativan detox using a tapering method can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on many factors, such as:[3]

• Your doctor’s recommendations
• The lorazepam dose you were taking
• The severity of your withdrawal symptoms
• Your individual needs
• Your relapse risk
• How well you are tolerating the reduced dose

Generally, you can expect your Ativan tapering schedule to involve decreasing your dose by 25% within the first two weeks. After that, your doctor may reduce the dose by 25% daily or weekly, depending on how you tolerate the reduction.[4]

How Long Do Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

Once acute Ativan withdrawal resolves, you may notice some symptoms that linger for weeks, months, or even a year after detox. These are known as post-acute withdrawal symptoms or protracted withdrawal symptoms, and they tend to be less severe than acute symptoms, although they can fluctuate.[5]

Protracted withdrawal symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and cravings, can last for weeks, months, or even a year after you go through acute Ativan withdrawal.

You may also experience periods without Ativan post-acute withdrawal symptoms only to have them come back during periods of stress.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ativan Withdrawal Timeline

We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about Ativan withdrawal timelines and treatment.