Addicted to Ativan (Lorazapam)

Among other things, I brought up that I would like to, at some point, get off of the drug Ativan (Lorazapam).  I was first prescribed the drug over a decade ago, and I’ve used it on and off, as prescribed, for anxiety and insomnia episodes.

At one point, my Dr. had me on 1mg at bedtime, every night.  It was eventually reduced to 0.5mg,  but I haven’t been able to kick that teeny tiny amount. I asked her if it was common for people to become addicted/dependent on such a small amount for sleep. Unfortunately, she confirmed that it is.

I noticed on a few occasions when I forgot to take my dose, I tossed and turned all night and barely got any quality sleep. Lo and behold, the next morning, when I went to take my morning meds, I saw that I had forgotten to take the Ativan the night before.

According to my doctor, the process, which she recommends waiting on doing until situations in my life are more stable, involves starting to take a drug called Klonopin, and then tapering off of both drugs.

She then said, “Or you might just need to stay on it.”

I was a bit upset. “I’d actually really like to work on this.”

She said that sleep is more important right now and that she recommended that we talk about it more in-depth at my next visit. I really don’t want to be addicted to a narcotic for the rest of my life.

Right now, fine, it continues to help me sleep…but this is not supposed to be a long-term drug…and I’ve been on it for a very long time.

More Soon.