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Ativan is a highly addictive prescription medication and is rarely prescribed for longer than two to four weeks. Taking it for longer than a month significantly increases the risk of dependence.
If you’ve developed a dependence on Ativan, the safest way to detox is under close medical supervision. Ativan detox typically involves a gradual tapering process to minimize withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of serious complications, like seizures.
Beach House Center for Recovery offers medically supervised detox and around the clock clinical support to ensure your safety, comfort, and a positive start to recovery.
Ativan is a fast-acting benzodiazepine commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, and other stress-related conditions.
Even if taken exactly as prescribed, Ativan can quickly lead to tolerance and dependence. Addiction risk increases when it is used in higher-than-prescribed doses, taken for extended periods, or combined with other prescriptions or recreational drugs.
The body eventually becomes overly reliant on the drug to function normally because it alters brain chemistry related to relaxation and stress response. Stopping this drug abruptly can shock the nervous system, a potentially life-threatening side effect, making professional Ativan detox essential.
The licensed clinicians at Beach House Center for Recovery can help patients manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of medical complications.
Recognizing Ativan dependence can be difficult, especially when the medication was prescribed. However, warning signs may include:
If you or your loved one is experiencing any of these warning signs, we strongly encourage you to consider Ativan detox and rehabilitation at Beach House Center for Recovery, one of the leading Ativan detox centers in Florida.
Despite its milder drug classification by the DEA, Ativan is a highly addictive medication that produces major physical and psychological changes when chronically abused. Anyone, at any time, can find themselves addicted to Ativan and in need of professional help. Like other mind-altering drugs, Ativan addiction requires early intervention and quality clinical care to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
If you or someone you love is addicted to Ativan, call a substance abuse professional today. Taking that first step is always the hardest, but the long-term results are well worth the effort.
For more about Ativan addiction and recovery, check out these related articles:
Our team of licensed clinicians conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine the severity of the addiction and the safest way to detox. Our evaluation includes:
These insights help our team design a customized detox protocol that ensures your safety and comfort.
Research shows that short-term Ativan users are less likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms when compared to cases of long-term, immoderate use. For users who have taken the drug for a period of six months or longer (4 months by some estimates), withdrawal symptoms will be of higher intensity and more difficult to navigate safely.
A genetic predisposition toward addiction, a known family history of substance abuse, and a prior personal history of substance abuse are also relevant factors in determining the likelihood and severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Ativan features a relatively short half-life of 10-12 hours, and mild withdrawal symptoms may begin within 24 hours of discontinuing use.
Ativan dependence produces a broad spectrum of neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and psychological symptoms, including:
Ativan withdrawal can be severe if done abruptly or without proper tapering protocols. Here are four signs of an Ativan withdrawal medical emergency:
These complications are most common among patients with a history of taking high doses, long-term use, or co-occurring mental health disorders.
Our on-site medical team monitors patients around the clock to ensure their safety and comfort during detoxification.
The Ativan detox timeline is typically broken down into three separate stages: acute withdrawal, protracted withdrawal, and post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
Here is a detailed summary of each:
The timeline and intensity of withdrawal symptoms vary depending on a person’s overall health, dosage history, and duration of use.
Ongoing support and therapeutic care are essential during this period.
Each patient receives a comprehensive medical evaluation upon arrival to identify urgent needs, potential risks, and personal goals.
Stabilization may involve hydration therapy, nutritional support, and medications to alleviate discomfort and prevent dangerous complications.
During initial detox, clients are frequently put on what is known as a tapering schedule. This is a treatment method in which Ativan is administered in diminishing doses over a predetermined period of time.
As part of the tapering schedule, some physicians may substitute Ativan for a longer-acting benzodiazepine to help ensure a smoother transition and prevent the occurrence of debilitating withdrawal symptoms.
Quitting Ativan cold turkey and without proper tapering is never recommended.
Our detoxification protocols prioritize patient safety, promote comfort, and aim to reduce the risk of medical emergencies.
We provide:
Self-administered, at-home Ativan detox is never recommended under any circumstances.
At-home detox significantly increases the risk of rapid-onset withdrawal symptoms and dangerous complications.
These may lead to dangerous complications and dramatically increase the risk of poor recovery outcomes. In some cases, it may even result in a heart attack, coma, or death.
Your detox experience is uniquely yours, from the treatment plan and tapering protocol to the length and severity of withdrawal symptoms. Our treatment plans consider:
This personalized approach ensures that we meet patients where they are and provide support focused on achieving optimal treatment outcomes and promoting long-term recovery.
Addiction to Ativan requires quality clinical care in a medically managed environment in order to ensure optimal treatment outcomes and minimize the risk of relapse.
Following successful initial detox, many clients choose to enroll in treatment at a designated residential facility. This treatment method is known as inpatient treatment and provides a number of advantages, including:
Inpatient treatment programs offer a safe and supportive environment where recovery remains a top priority, with environmental risks and triggers strategically minimized for a period of 30 to 90 days.
Certain inpatient treatment programs also offer an impressive list of ancillary benefits and services that include:
Outpatient treatment is a popular option that is well-suited for those with demanding personal or professional schedules.
Unlike inpatient treatment, which occurs in a residential setting, outpatient treatment is available only on a non-residential basis. It is based upon a convenient routine of pre-scheduled individual and group therapy sessions. In most outpatient facilities, group sessions are conducted in the mornings or evenings three to five times per week to ensure maximum flexibility, and clients enjoy a more casual, low-key treatment environment.
Although flexible and affordable, outpatient treatment is typically not recommended for moderate to severe Ativan addiction.
We treat Ativan addiction with a mix of evidence-based and holistic therapies, such as:
These services support whole-person wellness, helping patients develop practical coping skills and emotional resilience.
Ativan addiction is best treated with a combination of ongoing psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions, also known as the MAT protocol. The staple of Ativan addiction treatment is based on a variety of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications combined with the following evidence-based therapies:
Medications may include Ativan or other benzodiazepines (during initial detox), antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and a wide range of other primary or supplemental medications. In certain patients, medications are explored on a trial basis, depending on symptoms, and switched based on the findings of a thorough follow-up evaluation.
Although established Ativan treatment protocols are generally followed, administering physicians demonstrate flexibility when attending to individual client needs.
Ativan addiction is frequently the result of co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Similarly, painful physical ailments or medical conditions can serve as precipitating or aggravating factors.
As a result, clinicians may include additional medications to address these conditions in the treatment protocol.
After detox, the real recovery work begins. We help patients build and follow:
This support continues through rehabilitation and as long as needed after discharge.
Ongoing engagement in peer support groups, alumni meetups, and individual counseling is crucial for maintaining long-term recovery. At Beach House Center for Recovery, we offer compassionate and supportive aftercare programming to help patients maintain a substance-free life and maintain long-term sobriety. Aftercare programs may include:
If you or someone you care about is struggling with Ativan addiction, the dedicated team at Beach House Center for Recovery can help guide you toward sobriety and lasting recovery. Our campus-based environment offers compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to meet your unique needs and recovery goals.
Ativan has a shorter half-life than most other benzodiazepines. This means withdrawal symptoms may begin sooner and peak more quickly.
The best way friends and family can support their loved one in detox is by offering emotional support, encouragement, and help with daily responsibilities. Beach House Center for Recovery also offers family counseling to help strengthen communication and connection, supporting better recovery outcomes for our patients.
Many insurance plans cover medically supervised detox programs and follow-up treatment. Our admissions team will work directly with your insurance plan to verify your benefits and help you understand your financial responsibility.
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Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
We accept most major insurance plans and can verify your benefits quickly and confidentially.
We’re committed to helping you access the care you need, our admissions counselors can guide you through your coverage options and available resources.
