Can You Smoke Ativan? | Dangers Of Smoking Ativan

Ativan, the brand name for lorazepam, is a prescription drug classified as a benzodiazepine. Ativan is primarily prescribed to those suffering from a variety of health problems such as:

• epilepsy 
• panic attacks
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• insomnia 
• anxiety disorders

Ativan gives those taking the prescription drug a feeling of sedation. Those addicted to lorazepam may smoke the drug to receive the feeling of sedation faster.

How Ativan Works

Known as benzos, benzodiazepines work by jumpstarting the effects of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA decreases brain activity and causes calmness and sedation. 

Many times, benzodiazepines are prescribed to help those struggling with mental health issues. Some of the common benzos you might be aware of include:

• Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
• Klonopin (clonazepam)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Restoril (temazepam)
• Valium (diazepam)

How Ativan Is Abused

Ativan is taken orally. However, those addicted to lorazepam and the people struggling with substance abuse can choose other methods of administering the drug such as:

• smoking 
• snorting 
• injecting 
• ingesting 

Smoking a benzodiazepine is highly dangerous due to the fact that the drug will enter your bloodstream at a much faster rate compared to taking the drug orally.

Side Effects & Dangers Of Smoking Ativan

Alone, Ativan can cause common side effects including:

• the inability to concentrate
• drowsiness 
• fatigue 
• impaired coordination
• dizziness 

Smoking Ativan is a strong indicator that a person is suffering from addiction. Abusing a prescription drug in this manner can have devastating consequences such as damage to your lungs, respiratory depression, and an increased risk of overdose.

Central Nervous System Sedation

By smoking Ativan, a person’s tolerance level can become extremely high. Abusing Ativan in this manner can cause damage to your lungs and to your central nervous system. 

The sleepiness and fatigue one might experience can cause more than just mild sedation. Since smoking lorazepam causes the drug to enter your brain at a rapid rate via the lungs, addiction can happen more quickly. 

From there, those suffering from an Ativan addiction will begin to increase their use to try and mimic the same feeling they’ve become accustomed to.

Accidental Overdose

Not only will smoking Ativan cause the feeling of sedation to be much more intense, but the risk of accidental overdose is also increased. Symptoms of an overdose may include:

• impaired coordination
• slow reflexes
• confusion 
• respiratory depression
• coma 

Flumazenil is a medicine that can treat an Ativan overdose. Doctors and nurses in an emergency room can administer Flumazenil with an IV. This medicine can reverse the effects of Ativan.

Smoking lorazepam represents an extreme form of prescription drug misuse. This escalation in drug abuse wreaks havoc on the body and can make withdrawal symptoms worse. 

Withdrawal Symptoms

Some of the Ativan withdrawal symptoms you might experience include:

• changes in blood pressure
• seizures 
• nausea 
• tremors 
• a fluctuating heart rate
• dizziness 

Unleashing lorazepam into your body faster by smoking it may cause withdrawal symptoms to be much stronger. This may result in a much-needed detox program at a treatment facility.

Ativan Addiction Treatment 

If you or a loved one is addicted to Ativan, healthcare professionals at our treatment centers are here to give you medical advice, treat medical conditions related to addiction, and offer both inpatient and outpatient care.

Our clinicians and doctors have a long history of providing quality, professional care for patients with substance use disorders. 

If you’re dealing with drug abuse and don’t know where to begin, simply call our hotline and speak to one of our professionals today.