On average, acute Ativan withdrawal symptoms emerge within about 6-8 hours of last use and last for approximately 5 days.
Evidence Based
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On average, acute Ativan withdrawal symptoms last for about five days. Acute Ativan withdrawal symptoms include the following:[7]
Anxiety
Blurred vision
Depression
Dizziness
Fatigue
Gastrointestinal distress (such as nausea, diarrhea, and decreased appetite)
Headache
High blood pressure
Irritability
Insomnia
Memory loss
Muscle pain
Panic attacks
Tremor
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Seizures
Meanwhile, protracted or post-acute Ativan withdrawal can last weeks, months, or even years after quitting lorazepam.[1] Protracted withdrawal symptoms can include the following:[7]
Anxiety
Cognitive impairment
Depression
Insomnia
Muscle weakness or twitching
Tinnitus
Formication (or feelings that insects are crawling beneath the skin)
Are you or someone you know struggling with addiction?
I may have a problem I am concerned for a loved oneBoth stages are uncomfortable, and some acute withdrawal 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.
Quitting Ativan cold-turkey can lead to uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal lasting about five days. Your protracted withdrawal may last weeks or months after acute withdrawal resolves. In a treatment or detox program, doctors taper your dose for 10 weeks or longer to help you withdraw safely.[2]
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.
This table can help you understand the difference between acute and protracted withdrawal symptoms:
Acute
· Anxiety· Blurred vision· Depression· Dizziness· Fatigue· GI distress (such as nausea, diarrhea, and decreased appetite)· Headache· High blood pressure· Irritability· Insomnia· Memory loss· Muscle pain· Panic attacks· Tremor· Hallucinations· Psychosis· Seizures
Protracted
· Anxiety· Cognitive impairment· Depression· Insomnia· Muscle weakness or twitching· Tinnitus· Formication (or feelings that insects are crawling beneath the skin)
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
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]
The safest way to handle Ativan withdrawal is to work with a doctor on a customized tapering schedule.
Here are the steps that are typically involved:[4]
An approach like this allows your brain cells to adjust to sobriety slowly, so you can avoid some of the serious risks associated with a cold-turkey quit. While it’s safe, supervision is essential.
Your doctor must provide you with a safe supply of Ativan you can use during your taper, and a medical team must ensure that you’re handling the program properly. Signs like increased nervousness or stiff muscles could indicate the taper is moving too fast.
If you taper without a doctor’s help, you could purchase unsafe street versions of Ativan that are tainted by other drugs. You could also try to taper too quickly and relapse.
If you or someone you know is struggling with Ativan misuse, we’re here to support you. Contact us today to explore treatment options and take the first step toward recovery.
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.
We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about Ativan withdrawal timelines and treatment.
Ativan can stay in your system anywhere from a few days to a month or more.
An Ativan taper involves taking a little less of the medication each day until you’re taking none. The process can take months, and your doctor should create a schedule and monitor your progress.
You may experience symptoms within 6-8 hours of your last dose. These symptoms may peak between 1 and 2 days and resolve or dramatically improve within 5 days.
Dr. Alison Tarlow is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the States of Florida and Pennsylvania, and a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). She has been a practicing psychologist for over 15 years. Sh... Read More
Evidence Based
7 sources cited
Evidence Based
7 sources cited
