Lorazepam and Addiction: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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?"

• 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.]"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2009

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Overall, great medication. Keep it at a small dose and use it only when you really need it. First, try fighting your anxiety and then if that doesn't help, use your medicines. This drug has been proven to be addictive. I hope this has helped some out there like me suffering from panic attacks and anxiety."

• Can...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 19, 2017

Lorazepam for Anxiety "Hands down, the best immediate solution for anxiety or panic attacks. I prefer Ativan to other benzos, and it usually lifts my depression too, even suicidal thoughts (well, for the few hours that it works). Just be very careful not to become addicted, but this is extremely helpful as an occasional tool in stressful situations. Do not take every day for many days unless instructed to, but even then do your research."

• 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."

• Pol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2016

Lorazepam for Anxiety "An excellent medication, out of all meds I tried, none were as effective for managing my PTSD symptoms. Completely prevented flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety at night, and allowed me to fall asleep very calmly. However, I can't give it a 10 because I gained tolerance to the doses incredibly quickly, meaning I had to keep raising the dose to get the same effect, which is dangerous because it is a drug you can become physically addicted to. I would highly recommend this med to those seeking a short-term fix while they are becoming stable on another long-term med, but would not recommend it as a long-term fix due to tolerance and addiction possibilities."

• Mir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 10, 2017

For Anxiety "I started out being prescribed lorazepam for anxiety. Which works wonders for me. I also have chronic nausea with an unknown cause, and I noticed that when I feel really nauseated, whether it's from anxiety or some other reason, it completely takes it away! It is truly a miracle medicine for me. Only downfall is it can be addictive, and if I take it daily on a consistent basis. I did notice when I don't take it, I get shaky all through my body, which is not a nice feeling at all, and my head gets dizzy and just a weird feeling. I would definitely recommend lorazepam to anyone who suffers from anxiety, nervousness, or nausea. It is wonderful!"

• Gol...
• November 2, 2015

For Panic Disorder "Ativan has been a lifesaver to me. I suffer from debilitating anxiety and rumination. I can take 0.5 to 1, and it takes it away within 15 minutes. I've gone to DBT & CBT classes outpatient twice. Therapy. This medicine is what has helped the most. My quality of life is much better with it. The negative is that the doctors don't want you to take it unless you absolutely have to. They say it's addictive. I've not experienced that yet. Oh! I also took Klonopin, which didn't touch the anxiety for me."

• 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."

• cam...
• September 27, 2016

For Anxiety "This medicine saves my life when I'm having a panic attack. Wish I could take this every day, but it's addictive, and I'm told to only take as needed. I also have IBS, and this makes everything go away. When I take this, I never have IBS, I can eat whatever I want, no worries, and sleep amazing!! I'm starting Paxil as my every day and this just as needed, so we will see how that goes. Lorazepam saved my life, though."

• 123...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2024

For Panic Disorder "This works wonders for my panic attacks and panic disorder! I don’t take it every day, of course, but last night my anxiety turned into a panic attack to the point I was hyperventilating, screaming, pulling my hair, and I took one 1 mg, and I felt so calm and serene 10 minutes later. Yes, I know there’s a possibility of addiction to these meds, but Hydroxyzine doesn’t work for my panic, Buspar doesn’t work, SSRIs don’t work, just Ativan and benzodiazepines. I’m sorry."

• 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."

• 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?"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Kvo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2022

Lorazepam for Anxiety "I was put on Ativan 3x daily in the hospital along with my other meds for bipolar 1 disorder. It helped, and I went off it when I left the hospital. It gives relief, but I worried it was addictive, and I believed that the only reason I was put on it was to cope with the stress of the hospital and the ambulance ride over (as I was asked if I wanted Ativan for the ride from the ER to the hospital). So it was useful for the setting I was quickly being transferred into."