Short & Long-Term Effects of Lorazepam Abuse

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that your provider may prescribe to help you manage anxiety, insomnia, or acute stress by calming your central nervous system. When you take it as directed, it can be effective and helpful. However, if you misuse it or take it for a long time, it can lead to short-term and long-term effects, including dependence or addiction.1

Understanding the effects of lorazepam misuse is an important step in recognizing when occasional use has become a more serious problem. While some effects may seem mild at first, ongoing misuse can increase your risk of physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, overdose, and other health complications. Keep reading to learn more about the short- and long-term effects of lorazepam abuse or contact our rehab in Kansas City today to learn about your treatment options and begin your recovery journey.

Short-Term Effects of Lorazepam

Like many prescription medications, lorazepam side effects may appear, especially when you first start taking it or if the dose changes. While not everyone experiences side effects, it’s important to be aware of how they may affect you.

Some common short-term effects of lorazepam include2:

• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• Memory problems
• Unsteadiness or poor coordination
• Headache
• Nausea

Ativan side effects can become more intense and more dangerous if you misuse the drug, like taking it in higher doses or more often than prescribed. Misuse also increases the risk of dependence and other serious health complications.1

Some effects of lorazepam abuse include1:

• Extreme drowsiness or sedation
• Confusion or mental fog
• Slurred speech
• Poor coordination or loss of balance
• Memory loss or blackouts
• Mood changes, including irritability or depression
• Slowed or difficult breathing
• Increased risk of overdose, especially when combined with other substances

These are just some of the Ativan effects you may experience. Each person will experience varying effects based on personal factors such as weight, age, other health conditions, metabolism, and tolerance.1

Long-Term Effects of Lorazepam

If you abuse Ativan (lorazepam) over time, it can start to affect both your physical and mental health seriously. What might begin as occasional misuse can turn into dependence or addiction, leading to lasting changes in how your brain and body function.3

Some long-term effects and health risks of lorazepam include:

• Persistent memory problems or cognitive impairment1
• Depression or worsening anxiety1
• Sleep disturbances1
• Decreased coordination and increased risk of falls or injuries1
• Respiratory issues, especially when combined with other depressants1
• Increased risk of overdose1
• Social, work, or relationship difficulties6

The more you use lorazepam, the more your tolerance for the drug builds, and you need to take it in higher doses to feel the same effects. Also, taking it for longer periods can lead to dependence, where you experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit or go without the drug.1,2

Other Risks of Lorazepam Misuse

Mixing lorazepam with other substances can significantly increase your risks of adverse effects of lorazepam addiction. Because lorazepam is a central nervous system depressant, combining it with other drugs that affect breathing, heart rate, or alertness can quickly become dangerous and unpredictable.1

When lorazepam is taken with other benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or alprazolam, the sedative effects can compound, making you feel extreme drowsiness, confusion, and slow your breathing. Combining it with opioids like oxycodone, heroin, or fentanyl is especially dangerous, as both substances suppress breathing. Lorazepam risks can involve severe respiratory depression, unconsciousness, or death.2

Alcohol has similar depressant effects of Ativan abuse on the central nervous system, so mixing it with lorazepam can intensify sedation, impair coordination, and increase the likelihood of memory loss and overdose, even at lower doses.3

On the other hand, combining lorazepam with stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine can mask the effects of lorazepam abuse and those of each drug, making it harder to recognize how much you’ve taken and increasing blood pressure, heart rate, and making you think the drugs are not affecting you. However, this combination can increase the risk of dangerous health effects and overdose because the effects of each drug may be harder to recognize.4

Lorazepam (Ativan) Overdose Symptoms

If you or someone else is experiencing a lorazepam overdose, the symptoms usually involve extreme sedation and slowed body functions.

You might notice lorazepam overdose signs, like1,5:

• Feeling extremely drowsy or unable to stay awake
• Confusion or not responding to others
• Slurred or slowed speech
• Trouble with coordination or walking
• Slow or weak breathing
• A weak pulse or low blood pressure
• Losing consciousness or slipping into a coma

These lorazepam overdose symptoms can quickly become life-threatening, especially if the drug is mixed with alcohol or opioids, so it’s important to get help right away. If you suspect an overdose, follow these steps:

• Call 911 immediately—get professional medical help as fast as possible.
• Stay with the person—do not leave them alone until help arrives.
• Keep them awake and responsive if possible.
• Monitor their breathing and pulse—be ready to inform emergency responders.
• If they are unconscious, place them on their side—this helps prevent choking in case of vomiting.
• Do not try to make them vomit or give them anything to eat or drink unless instructed by a professional.

Take these steps quickly if you notice any of the signs. You can help keep someone safe while they wait for emergency care.

Lorazepam Withdrawal Symptoms & Treatment

If you become dependent or addicted to lorazepam, stopping or even reducing your dose can trigger withdrawal symptoms. Because lorazepam is a benzodiazepine, these withdrawal symptoms can be more intense and potentially dangerous6, so it’s important to be aware of what to expect and seek professional guidance.

Common withdrawal symptoms from lorazepam can include6:

• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Irritability or mood swings
• Insomnia or disturbed sleep
• Tremors or shaking
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Rapid heart rate or palpitations
• Hallucinations or paranoid thinking
• Seizures (in severe cases)

Withdrawal effects of Ativan addiction can be severe. Plus, trying to withdraw on your own can be risky because of the intensity and potential lorazepam dangers associated with withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox provides a safe, supervised environment where healthcare professionals can help manage symptoms, adjust dosing gradually, and monitor your health to reduce the risk of serious complications.6

After detox, ongoing treatment can support long-term recovery. This may include therapy, counseling, behavioral support, and treatment for any co-occurring substance use or mental health disorders. Combining these approaches gives you the best chance of maintaining sobriety, rebuilding your daily life, and improving your overall well-being.7

Lorazepam (Ativan) Addiction Treatment in Kansas City

Getting started with treatment at Empowered Recovery Center Kansas City is simple, and our team is here to guide you every step of the way. We offer a range of rehab programs designed to meet different needs, including outpatient care, intensive outpatient programs, therapy services, and support for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) when appropriate.

Our rehab admissions team can help you choose the program that best fits your situation and goals. We can also walk you through the steps of paying for rehab, including using insurance to pay for rehab.

If you’re ready to take the next step, give us a call or verify your benefits online today. Our team is ready to help you start your journey toward recovery.

References

1. Ghiasi N, Bhansali RK, Marwaha R. (2024). Lorazepam. Retrieved on 4/9/2026 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532890/.
2. Bounds CG, Patel P. (2024). Benzodiazepines. Retrieved on 4/9/2026 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470159/.
3. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2025). Alcohol-medication interactions: Potentially dangerous mixes.Retrieved on 4/9/2026 from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/alcohol-medication-interactions-potentially-dangerous-mixes.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Polysubstance use facts. Retrieved on 4/9/2026 from https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/polysubstance-use.html.
5. Kang M, Galuska MA, Ghassemzadeh S. (2023). Benzodiazepine toxicity. Retrieved on 4/9/2026 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482238/.
6. Edinoff, A. N., Nix, C. A., Hollier, J., Sagrera, C. E., Delacroix, B. M., Abubakar, T., Cornett, E. M., Kaye, A. M., & Kaye, A. D. (2021). Benzodiazepines: Uses, Dangers, and Clinical Considerations. Neurology international, 13(4), 594–607. https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint13040059. Retrieved on 4/9/2026 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8629021/.
7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Treatment and recovery. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery.