Lorazepam and Addiction: What Users Say

• Pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2023

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I am 67 years old. I was prescribed Ativan in the early 1980s. I got addicted and after 5 months was taking 12 a day instead of the prescribed 6. I threw them down the toilet, then ended up at my GP with acute withdrawal symptoms. He did a six-week withdrawal plan. I lost the memory of that 6 months. I also lost a lot of my memory up to that point. As a person who has suffered memory loss and lack of emotion for the last 40 years and my life wrecked, I implore people not to take this drug."

• Onl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2023

For Anxiety "Works great until it doesn't, and you are pitifully addicted. Do NOT, under ANY circumstances, let a medical professional tell you that Ativan (lorazepam) is not addictive or doesn't cause dependency if used 'as prescribed.' This drug is being prescribed completely inappropriately. ALL the prescribing literature says to use it for '2 to 4 weeks.' PERIOD. Regular use after this point could lead to dependency/addiction. The withdrawal is nearly unbearable. Stopping abruptly causes withdrawal that can be deadly. It took me 8 months, using the life-saving 'Ashton Manual,' to slowly wean myself off Ativan after 15 months of daily, physician-prescribed use (0.5 mg TID/3x per day). The interdose tolerance started very quickly, and the need for it skyrocketed."

• Bon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 19, 2018

For Anxiety "Has anyone been on this drug for 25 - 30 years? Once it was a miracle for me. Now, not so much. Doc never said it was addicting but had me take 1 mg 3 x per day and Ambien for sleep. Lexapro, too. No one in the medical field admits to this drug affecting the heart, I mean so that you have to take it. So what should ya do? Try to taper? Tried a detox program/crash course 7 days. Trying melatonin for sleep, not benzos. Down to 1 mg each morning, would like to get off or have them work like they did in the beginning. Any comments?"

• Bry...
• September 12, 2015

For Panic Disorder "The drug works amazingly, except one HUGE problem. You will get addicted. I am not a druggie and took all my medications as prescribed. I went off my medications 19 months ago and still feel like living hell. Panic attacks are hell, but at least they end. Imagine living that way nonstop for 19 months with no end in sight. The only thing that has helped me is drug-free treatments, which are becoming more and more mainstream. Please, please, please do not take any form of benzos. I think they are bad and will destroy your life, taking away your health, your sanity, and your close relationships."

• Pm1...
• April 4, 2017

For Anxiety "I've been taking lorazepam for many years, but usually not more than once a week for really bad anxiety. The problem is it's addictive, and you want and need to take more to get the relief you were getting before. So the more you take, the higher the tolerance, and you need to keep going up and taking it more often. Another problem is the half-life for lorazepam is between 4 and 8 hours. This means you should really take it 3 times per day. If you don't, you start getting reflex anxiety. After the dosage wears out, your anxiety goes up. This was what I experienced, and I went through the worst time in my 17 years. Eight weeks ago, I stopped taking lorazepam and switched to diazepam to taper off. I suggest staying off this drug."

• Jra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 17, 2019

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I like Ativan better than Valium but not Xanax. Be careful with any benzodiazepines. They will mess with your brain and cause memory loss. I've been on them for 20 years. There's no way I can go off them now. I'm in a tough spot. I tried to stop twice and it drove me insane. I managed to kick a 4-year opiate addiction with the help of Suboxone, and that was challenging. Getting off benzos is even harder than kicking opiates. Believe me, benzodiazepines are dangerous. My doctor never warned me about the addiction until I switched medications, after about 5 years. Isn't that nice? I rely on them to keep me calm. I suffer from very severe anxiety, but knowing what I know now, I would have preferred to have a shot of vodka a couple of times a day. I'm not a drinker, but it's better than dealing with the side effects of benzos. Moderation is the key."

• sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2018

For Anxiety "I have had anxiety and depression real bad for 7 months. Was prescribed venlafaxine and lorazepam. Venlafaxine was increased every two weeks till I was on the higher dosage, but it did not work. Now on sertraline 150 mg, have been using 1 month no difference yet. Lorazepam I was on 1 mg once daily and it was great. I felt normal, then it started to be less effective, so I was told to take 2 a day. Now it is less effective again as I am tolerant to it. I know I am addicted to it, but I need help to get through this. I am tired of the anxiety and crying all the time."

• Ben...
• February 13, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Be careful with this sneaky drug. At first, it works great, but very quickly, I mean within days, it is highly addictive. Before you know it, you’ll be using it daily, and withdrawal syndrome associated with benzos is horrible. Use with caution."

• coo...
• May 10, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I had 2 panic attacks in a week, took this med at ER. I thought I was dying. My whole body got warm, all the classic symptoms. I'm afraid of becoming addicted since the mental health nurse said benzos are becoming a thing of the past due to high addiction rates."

• Lau...
• June 25, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I used this after my anxiety got so bad that I had constant horrible, racing thoughts. Many involved suicide and death. The first time I took it, I felt like I grew wings, so relaxing. I started taking it every day because the calming effect was so comforting. I then started taking it at night - big mistake for me personally. I became addicted. If I didn’t take it for one night, I was awake for the entire night and became extremely paranoid. I had to see a doctor and admit to addiction, then was given a very slow tapering-off plan. It also made my hair fall out. Use with caution. Easily addictive."

• hel...
• February 21, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "OK OK, Ativan does work, especially when you're having a full-on attack in the psychiatric unit. But just like everything else, it does become addicting. Beware."

• Anx...
• March 11, 2008

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Be careful when using Ativan. Do not take doses more than 1 or 2 mg. It is easy to get carried away and addicted to Ativan. I find that it is a very effective treatment for anxiety when the RECOMMENDED DOSES are used though."

• Dia...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 9, 2018

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Prescribed by G.P. for anxiety, 4 mg a day, approximately 10 years ago, along with Zopiclone for 15 mg for insomnia. I started to abuse both about 2 years ago. Sitting in a treatment center for drug addicts while I type this. Do not take Ativan or Zopiclone, easy to become addicted to both. Went through hell detoxing, and it took 19 days to get off the Ativan. There are better medications out there for you."

• JAC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 7, 2017

For Anxiety "I have taken lorazepam off and on for about 17 years. Sometimes high anxiety events come up, like losing your job, or finding out someone spent all your money, or the loss of a loved one in your family. I don't abuse this drug. It has the potential to be very addictive. Getting off it can be very rough. In the last 10 years, I have taken it very sparingly. Only 1.5 MG, and I try not to take it more than 2 days in a row. I tried to learn to reduce the anxiety or pressure by other methods like running, reading music, etc. I tried to space out usage at least 2 to 3 weeks even if I am going through the most difficult time, like now, with the loss of my son. It's not a cure, since your body requires more the more you use."

• CCM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I have chronic anxiety, and this has been the only medication I can take that gives me steady nerves yet doesn't make me feel drowsy. I know it can be addictive, however, I believe if you are suffering from this type of constant anxiety in life and something helps that does not include alcohol, which inebriates you, there should not be a problem staying on it. I'd rather be on this for years than turn to alcohol. Physicians and pharmacists should stop the harassment to those of us with PTSD or chronic anxiety. Accusing those on it of selling the drug just adds to the anxiety. Everyone on Lorazepam is not selling or abusing it. It helps. What more is there to say?"

• AnS...
• August 1, 2016

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I started off at 0.50 mg, then to 1 mg before bed. I had many issues going on in life, and I was having trouble falling asleep. This helped in the beginning, but my dose is going up and up. I admit, I take this more than I should, so I understand there's an addictive nature to this. Just be careful and talk to your doctor if you notice that. The best part of this drug: I get a good night's sleep, and I'm not waking up 3 times a night."

• Aar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Excellent for dealing with anxiety-induced panic attacks, helped regulate mood swings, and really helped with sleep. However, tolerance builds up quickly, and addiction is a serious concern. As such, it helped only as a short-term solution to bridge the gap into a more stable regiment of medication."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2016

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Ativan has been so, so helpful for anxiety and panic attacks. It can be addicting, so I try to only take it when I really need to, not more than a couple of times a week. But it definitely has helped me, and I would recommend it to those with bad anxiety."

• dud...
• January 10, 2010

For Anxiety "This drug works very well for anxiety, and I find it works better than Klonopin without causing the unbearable drowsiness from Xanax. I would give it a 10 because of how much it helped me control some irrational thinking and anger problems, along with frequent panic attacks. Yes, I am physically addicted to this drug, but it has made a great difference in my life for the better."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2023

Lorazepam for Nausea/Vomiting "I have anxiety-related nausea and loss of appetite constantly and found that Ativan is the only thing that helps. The problem is, it can be addictive, so I only allow myself 0.5 mg every second day."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2022

For Anxiety "This medication has helped tremendously in my battle with mental health. I was having multiple panic attacks a day, and it stopped them all! It allowed me to function again! Surprisingly, I also got off of it pretty easily as well. This med worked amazingly, but I urge you to only ask your doctor to prescribe it as a last resort. For many, it’s hard to get off of and can lead to severe addiction. There’s no need in fixing a problem by creating another one. I can’t deny that this med works, and I’m rating it off my experience, but please be careful when taking it! But yes, it works and is a great med if used properly!"

• rip...
• October 25, 2021

Lorazepam for Insomnia "I have been using Ativan for nearly 18 years. I went for years sleeping 4 and a half hours a night. [daytime zombie] About 4 years ago, I was having short-term memory problems. I reduced from 1 mg to 0.5, and memory very much improved, and I still sleep 6-7 hours, but keep extra 0.5s if some nights I need extra, which isn't often. I would suggest that for first timers to start with 0.5, and it might be all you need. As far as 'addiction' goes, I am totally addicted to a good night's sleep. I am grateful to the lucky stars for Ativan. Do not use often for anxiety, although helpful from time to time. I am 78 years old. Only my story, everyone has their own experience with Ativan. Good luck and goodnight, you sleepy heads. Rip Van Winkle [almost twenty years.]"

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2020

For Anxiety "I have severe anxiety disorder. And lorazepam is my life-saving drug. Last time I was taking 2.5 mg/day of it for 5 months, and I got addicted to the pills. My doctor prescribed me trazodone to help me overcome my lorazepam addiction. And just after 1.5 months, I was completely okay again. Those who struggle with lorazepam addiction, ask your doctor about trazodone treatment. I live in Italy, and here it's a common treatment for lorazepam addiction."

• Dru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2020

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Ativan does the job. But you do NOT want to go through the withdrawal. It's very bad. I have generalized anxiety and panic disorder to the point where I can't leave the house unless I really have to. And Ativan makes it a lot easier to leave the house. The withdrawal makes your anxiety come back with vengeance. It's bad. For the short term, it's great, but long term you become addicted and physically dependent on it. And you build a tolerance so it doesn't help you as much as initially taking it. I love Ativan and recommend it to anyone suffering from anxiety. Just make sure you wean off it, or you will feel like life becomes a nightmare."

• coo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 15, 2017

For Panic Disorder "At 16, I had a traumatic experience that gave me my first panic attack. Since that day, I have suffered from on-again-off-again anxiety that sometimes spirals into full-blown panic attacks. Simply put, this medication has been a gift from the heavens. I rarely take it because I am told it is addictive, but if I feel like I am getting anxiety and spiraling, it literally stops a panic attack cold. In fact, since I have been prescribed the medicine, my panic attacks have plummeted, simply because I have gained control over them. I know in my head that if my anxiety wants to test me, I can stop it. This gives me a feeling of control and has reduced my attacks by 95%. It has changed my life."