Is Ativan as dangerous to withdraw from as Xanax?

I have a neighbor and a cousin the neighbor had been on a prescription of Ativan which was the strongest that it comes in, he was down and described the difference, he said the Ativan was tough due to the fact that until you got it all out of your system that you do not sleep.

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with the Xanax going cold turkey can cause the type of withdrawl that you see in some narcotic pain medications, you dont eat well, you can't sleep, you are extremely anxious, there are in some individuals (SUCH AS MY COUSIN) that experienced a seizure, it is best if you see this coming to save what you have a drop it as slowly as you possibly can, never ever take more of either medication than is written on the label of the prescription, also there is a Thomas recipe that I am going to google off and put on this website maybe some of the side effects from withdrawl can be helped through this as well, remember that you can do whatever you have to, sometimes it doesn't seem like it is possible but trust me we are here to give support and encourage you to make it through, my first name is Billy, my site name is I am willing to help to encourage in whatever way that is possible, always remember that, I am going to friend you and if you ever feel you need to talk then you can contact me and I will listen help encourage you in whatever way possible

Cathleen, I don't want to scare or offend you but I really think you should let the doctor handle the weaning off of the ativan since you are on pain meds. Coming off the ativan too soon could cause seizures, and I would hate to see that happen. Both ativan and xanax are benzos so the risks are the same and they are both dangerous to come off of IF IMPROPERLY DONE. My thoughts and Prayers are with you. If you are not sure your doctor is handling the weaning correctly, a psychiatrist who treats addiction would be a good bet for this. Many don't understand that psychologists and psychiatrists are not the same thing and that it is the psychiatrist who holds the necessary degree to dispense medications. A psychiatrist who specializes in addiction is trained to properly taper you off. Weaning off the sub and norco may also be contributing to the anxiety. The fear of coming off medications is also very frightening for most people and can easily be causing the anxiety.

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Plus, you do have some physical problems that might be contributing. I know you are so very frightened, but hang in there, it will be ok. You have our support and you are liked and needed here on the site. Let the doc call this one. Patti Keeping you in my Prayers.

Ativan and Xanax are in the same family so yes they carry the same risks of withdrawl. They are both benzos and yes you can have seizures withdrawing from either of them. I say this because my mother was on both for extended lengths of tme at one time or another and I know that she went through a very slow taper to get off of both of them comfortably and safely.Xanax is the stronger medication, however if your putting back three at a time than more your aquiring the same type of dependency. The real question is are you ready to be clean or are you not. It is frightening to think about our lives at times without ANY vices. The comfort of the ativan is most likely making your fear about leaving subs behind less scary. Yet when you are ready to get clean without reservation you'll be trying to leave ALL of your addictions behind.

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You should of course discuss with a doctor what to do or how to go about tapering off of them because of the dangers involed, but the bottom line is, when your ready, your ready. Don't give your life to any drugs anymore. It is just not worth it. Yes there will be pain and suffering involved but in the end you will have your freedom and there is nothing more valuable than that. You should get yourself involved with a 12 step program like NA. We don't get clean alone.. or we wouldn't be on a site looking for others who are going though what we are going though. I wish you all the luck. I am coming off H and am taking 2mg of subs.. Bring on the uncomfrotability.. I am done. I've had five years clean at one point and these things... these substances we give ourselves to rob us of who we truly are.. "old dreams awaken and new ones are rediscovered".. let it all go..don't be a slave to a bottle or let yourself be consumed any longer with the "next one"... You can do it! (<--- cheesy, but true)

Cathleen, please tell me you aren't mixing Benzo's-Ativan with Suboxone!!! That is very dangerous. As I told you before, if you need to take pain meds, take them . If you are trying to detox from narcotics by taking Ativan, it will only help you temporarily. Ativan makes you feel less stressful and helps you get through the withdrawals of narcotics, but then you will go through withdrawals from the Ativan. My suggestion is the same as before. Stick with one medication. If you are in a place where you feel you need to take pain meds, then take them. Right now you probably have a double addiction to pain meds and also to Benzo's , which is the class of drug that Ativan is in. I recommend that you only take one or the other. Then later, when you feel you can get off of the pain meds, go back to taking the Suoxone to get off everything. Going back and forth like that was just my way of trying to fool my body into thinking that I wasn't addicted to either.

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It doesn't work. I'm sorry!! people generally start taking Suboxone because a lot of people have convinced them that be addicted to pain meds is a bad thing. it can be, but isn't always the case. Some people have a legitimate reason for taking pain meds. So, if you need them, take them. Worry about detox later, when your better able to focus on just that. NIK