1 in 5 people experience a common mental health issue, most commonly anxiety, every week in the UK. For those who suffer more severe anxiety, a medication called lorazepam can be prescribed.
Though it can help, lorazepam can cause physical dependence and withdrawal, particularly if you use it regularly and for a long time.
Many people do not mean to get addicted to lorazepam, but it is not something you can always control. Even if you know you are struggling, stopping suddenly can be dangerous, so it’s important to know more about lorazepam and its dangers.
Knowing more about lorazepam withdrawal effects, why they happen and what you should do next can help you make a more informed and safer decision. If you are considering reducing your lorazepam dosage, you should speak to your prescriber for professional advice.
What Is Lorazepam?
Lorazepam is a medication that belongs to a group of prescription drugs called benzodiazepines. Lorazepam is commonly associated in the UK with the brand name Ativan.
It is primarily used to treat anxiety, insomnia related to anxiety, seizures and to help you relax before an operation or other medical or dental procedure.
Lorazepam works on you by increasing GABA levels in your brain. This is a neurotransmitter that produces a calming effect, slowing down nerve signals to reduce anxiety, relax muscles and act as a sedative.
Due to the addiction potential of lorazepam and its dangers, it is only prescribed for short-term use and is a Class C controlled drug that is only available via prescription from a doctor.
Why Does Lorazepam Cause Withdrawal?
When you put medication into your body regularly over a period of time, eventually the changes it causes become the norm. Your brain and body adapt to the presence of the drug and the effects it causes, eventually depending on it to function normally.
When you develop this physical dependence on lorazepam, your body has become used to the depressive effects on your central nervous system. When it is abruptly removed, your nervous system becomes temporarily overactive, trying to find a balance once again.
This will bring on withdrawal symptoms.
Experiencing withdrawal is usually equated with severe dependence and addiction, but in the case of lorazepam, dependence may occur even when you take it as prescribed. This happens because your body quickly adapts to the presence of lorazepam.
Common Lorazepam Withdrawal Effects
Lorazepam withdrawal effects that you may experience include:
- Increased anxiety
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Vivid dreams
- Difficulty concentrating
Withdrawal can have physical symptoms too, including:
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Trembling
- Muscle discomfort
Another potential withdrawal effect is that the symptoms which you were using lorazepam to manage may return temporarily or intensify.
Severe Lorazepam Withdrawal Symptoms
While the symptoms above are more common, in some cases you can develop more severe benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of severe lorazepam withdrawal include:
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Extreme agitation
- Seizures
- Psychotic episodes
These symptoms are not something you can just tough out. Going through this type of withdrawal is a medical emergency, and you should get professional help if you believe it is happening.
If someone you know is suffering from a seizure, loss of consciousness, severe confusion or is at immediate risk of harm, call 999 now. Because of the dangers of lorazepam withdrawal, it’s important to get help, as professional planning reduces the risk of this occurring.
When Do Lorazepam Withdrawal Symptoms Begin?
Lorazepam is relatively short-acting, with effects being felt after 20 minutes or so. This means that if you miss a dose or stop, withdrawal symptoms will occur relatively soon after, usually within hours.
This isn’t set in stone, though. The onset of withdrawal, the severity of symptoms and how long they last will depend on several factors, including your usual dose, length of use, health and use of other substances.
Rebound Symptoms vs Withdrawal
When coming off lorazepam, you may experience the return of symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia that the drug was treating, but this time at a greater intensity. This is common and is known as rebound anxiety or insomnia.
When going through withdrawal, it can be hard to distinguish rebound anxiety from it. Rebound anxiety is different because it is the return of symptoms you were managing, whereas withdrawal is a broader range of symptoms caused by physical dependence on a substance.
Suffering rebound symptoms is not a sign you still need your medication; it’s just your body trying to readjust.
This can be why stopping lorazepam is hard, so you should get a clinical assessment rather than self-diagnosis. With professional help, you can work out a safe tapering-off plan, rather than attempting to go it alone.
Who Is at Greater Risk of Severe Withdrawal?
Some people are more at risk of going through severe withdrawal.
- Those taking higher doses
- Those using lorazepam for a longer period of time
- People who have had withdrawal difficulties in the past
- People with a history of seizures, as this can be a feature of severe withdrawal
- Those with current medical and mental health conditions
If you are misusing alcohol, opioids, or other sedatives alongside lorazepam, this can complicate withdrawal and increase the risk of it being more severe.
You should not go through withdrawal alone. A healthcare professional should assess your risk and help determine the best way forward for withdrawal management.
Why You Should Not Stop Lorazepam Suddenly
As lorazepam can have such a calming effect on your brain, trying to detox and stopping suddenly can bring on severe withdrawal symptoms.
If you are seeking to get off lorazepam, your prescriber will help you with an individualised reduction plan. You’ll taper off lorazepam, lowering your dosage slowly to avoid the worst withdrawal symptoms.
You should also go to your doctor about reducing your dose, as what works for others might not be right for you. Don’t copy a schedule you find online or go off someone else’s. Also, whatever plan is decided upon may change depending on symptoms and how you are coping.
Dependence vs Lorazepam Addiction
Dependence is not always addiction. You can be physically dependent on lorazepam, meaning you go through withdrawal when it is not present in your body, without using it compulsively.
Addiction is the next step and likely what you are suffering from if you have lost control over your use of lorazepam, experience cravings and continue to use it despite the harm it is doing.
There are plenty of warning signs of a prescription drug addiction, including lorazepam. By knowing the signs, you can act before the problem worsens. Signs of a lorazepam addiction include:
- Taking more than prescribed
- Seeking additional supplies (getting lorazepam from people who aren’t your doctor)
- Using lorazepam only for its effects
- Getting or using lorazepam is growing in importance in daily life
Mixing Lorazepam With Alcohol or Other Drugs
Lorazepam is a central nervous system depressant, slowing down key processes in the body. If it is combined with other depressants like alcohol, opioids or other sedatives, the depression can increase to a dangerous level.
Combining substances with lorazepam can cause symptoms such as:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Impaired coordination
- Blackouts
- Slowed breathing
These symptoms may be an indication of an overdose, which can be fatal. If someone you are with cannot be woken or is not breathing normally, and you suspect they have been mixing lorazepam and other substances, call 999 immediately.
Treatment and Support for Lorazepam Dependence
When it comes to lorazepam, it is important to get a professional medical assessment before stopping your use. With guidance, you can begin a supervised dose reduction, which means that over time you slowly decrease your lorazepam use.
In some cases, you may be addicted and need to get professional treatment. In these settings, you can go through a supervised detox to end your physical dependence and then receive psychological support for anxiety, sleep problems and addictive behaviour. During this time, you will take part in addiction counselling, group therapies and other forms of treatment.
If you are suffering from addiction, relapse prevention will be part of your treatment. You will learn more about relapse and your triggers, create a plan for if relapse occurs and work out strategies to deal with cravings.
Knowing you have an issue with lorazepam is the first step in the journey. The next is getting help. It can be hard to know where to turn, but you can use Action Rehab to get support in locating appropriate prescription-drug treatment.
Find Professional Withdrawal Support with Action Rehab
Lorazepam can be a helpful drug, but using it for too long leaves you at risk of developing a dependence and having to go through withdrawal. If you are worried about your lorazepam use, contact your doctor and talk to them about making any dose changes.
If you are concerned about your lorazepam misuse or dependence and want confidential advice and support, contact Action Rehab today.
Posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2026 at 10:39 am in Addiction.
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