Ativan Addiction Statistics

Ativan (the brand name for lorazepam) is a prescription benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It’s also prescribed for insomnia related to anxiety and as pre-anesthesia for surgery. Learn more about Ativan addiction statistics, Ativan misuse rates, and its widespread impact across the U.S.

Jessica Miller is the Content Manager of Addiction HelpKent S. Hoffman, D.O. is a founder of Addiction Help
Written by
Medically reviewed by Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.
Last updated October 28, 2024

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How Many People Are Addicted to Ativan in the U.S.?

As a central nervous system depressant, Ativan slows brain activity, providing a calming effect. But as a result, it has the potential for misuse. Ativan is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance, indicating a high potential for addiction and physical dependence when misused or taken in high doses.

Data on Ativan addiction alone is limited. However, benzodiazepine statistics can indicate use and misuse rates for this class of drugs.

In the U.S., around 30.6 million adults report using benzodiazepines, with 5.3 million misusing these drugs. This includes medications such as Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin.

Ativan Addiction Rates in the U.S. vs. Other Nations

Benzodiazepine misuse rates vary globally. In the U.S., approximately 1.4% of the population, or around 3.9 million people, reported misusing benzodiazepines like Ativan in the past year.

Globally, Spain has the highest legal use of benzodiazepines, with benzos being the third most sold medication in 2017. Other countries with high benzodiazepine prescription rates include Israel, Western Europe, Japan, North America, and parts of Latin America.

France ranks among the top countries for benzodiazepine use, while Italy reported high consumption of alprazolam (another benzodiazepine) in 2022.

Lower rates of benzodiazepine use are reported in regions like Russia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Philippines.

Statistics on Ativan Use

Data collected over the past two decades shows the following trends in Ativan use:

  • Significant increase: Between 1996 and 2013, the number of adults filling benzodiazepine prescriptions rose by 67%, from 8.1 million to 13.5 million.
  • High prescription rates: In 2021, approximately 21.3 million Ativan (lorazepam) prescriptions were issued in the U.S.
  • Broad clinical use: Ativan helps millions manage anxiety, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Statistics on Ativan Abuse

Ativan’s sedative effects on the central nervous system (CNS) make it prone to misuse. As it’s a CNS depressant, people take it seeking relief from anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, or stress beyond the prescribed amounts.

An Ativan substance use disorder can involve taking higher doses than prescribed, using someone else’s prescription, or obtaining multiple prescriptions from different doctors.

Data on Ativan abuse shows:

  • Widespread misuse: Approximately 1.7% of the population, or 4.9 million people, reported misusing prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in the past year.
  • High diversion rates: Lorazepam was one of the top five benzodiazepines found on the illegal drug market.
  • Methods of substance abuse: People misuse benzodiazepines by getting multiple prescriptions, forging prescriptions, or buying diverted pharmaceutical products illegally.
  • Combination risk: Misusing benzodiazepines like Ativan, especially when combined with substances like alcohol or opioids, increases overdose risk and fatal outcomes.

Ativan Addiction Statistics by Demographic

Ativan addiction rates vary significantly by demographic. The likelihood of someone accessing and becoming addicted to Ativan can be affected by their gender, age, race, and socioeconomic status.

Gender and Ativan Use

Ativan is a type of benzodiazepine that is often prescribed to women more than men. This is because women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders. In fact, women are twice as likely to use these medications compared to men and experience stronger cravings.

Women often get Ativan through a medical professional’s prescription, while men are more likely to access it illegally.

Age and Ativan Use

Ativan use and misuse rates differ across age groups. Young adults, particularly those between 18 and 35, have the highest rates of benzodiazepine misuse.

Older adults, especially those aged 65 and above, have the highest rates of prescribed Ativan use. From 2014 to 2016, 91% of benzodiazepine prescriptions for people over 65 were renewals, not new prescriptions. Long-term use in these cases is often for sleep issues or anxiety.

In 2020, 4.8 million people aged 12 and older misused prescription benzodiazepines like Ativan.

Race and Ativan Use

Specific data on Ativan use across racial and ethnic groups is limited, but studies show that white adults are more likely to receive benzodiazepine prescriptions and are at greater risk of misuse.

Notable statistics among different racial groups include:

  • White adults: Highest misuse rates, with 2.6% for tranquilizers and 0.6% for sedatives.
  • Black/African American adults: Lower rates, at 1.3% for tranquilizers and 0.2% for sedatives.
  • Asian adults: Lowest misuse rates, with 0.7% for tranquilizers and 0.2% for sedatives.
  • American Indian/Alaska Native adults: Misuse rates are 1.8% for tranquilizers and 0.4% for sedatives.
  • Multiracial adults: Highest overall misuse, at 3.1% for tranquilizers and 0.9% for sedatives.

Socioeconomic Factors and Ativan Use

People from lower-income communities often have less access to prescriptions for medications like Ativan, even if they suffer from anxiety or insomnia. This means that benzo usage rates are typically lower in these areas.

But when they do receive an Ativan prescription, people from lower-income areas are more likely to use it for a longer period of time compared to those in higher-income areas.

This is often due to limited access to alternative addiction treatment, such as therapy, and less equipped healthcare providers or mental health resources nearby.

Ativan Overdose Rates

In the U.S., overdose data is generally collected for all benzodiazepines combined, making it difficult to pinpoint the impact of specific drugs like Ativan.

In 2021, there were approximately 12,499 deaths from benzodiazepine overdose, a significant increase from 1,135 deaths in 1999.

Benzodiazepines, including Ativan, are often involved in overdoses with other substances, especially opioids like fentanyl. This combination greatly increases the risk of heart rate and respiratory depression, leading to a higher chance of life-threatening overdose.

Although the number of deaths slightly decreased to 10,964 in 2022, benzodiazepines continue to pose a serious health risk when combined with other drugs.

Statistics on the Effects of Ativan Misuse

Ativan is intended for short-term use, and misusing it can have serious health effects, impacting both the brain and body. These may continue even after successful detoxification and recovery.

Some of the key effects of Ativan misuse include:

 

  • Addiction development: Regular misuse can quickly lead to physical dependence, with nearly 17.2% of benzodiazepine users developing an addiction.
  • Pregnancy: Studies suggest that using benzodiazepines like Ativan during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm deliveries and low birth weight.
  • Cognitive functioning: Long-term Ativan misuse can result in memory impairment and difficulty concentrating.
  • Ativan withdrawal symptoms: Stopping Ativan suddenly can cause severe symptoms, including anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, and other side effects.
  • Overdose risk: Mixing Ativan with other depressants, such as alcohol or opioids, significantly increases the risk of overdose.
  • Emergencies: From 2004 to 2011, emergency room visits related to benzodiazepines like Ativan rose by 149%, highlighting the severity of misuse.

Find Supportive Resources for Ativan Addiction Now

If you or a loved one is struggling with Ativan addiction, getting professional help is essential. Many treatment centers offer specialized programs designed to meet individual health conditions, including inpatient and outpatient treatment options.

Effective Ativan addiction treatment often begins with medical detox to manage withdrawal symptoms safely, followed by therapy to address the root causes of drug addiction. Exploring different treatment programs can be overwhelming, but support is available.

Reach out today to learn about addiction recovery centers near you and get the help needed to overcome Ativan addiction. You can truly change your life by taking the first step toward recovery.

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Written by
Jessica Miller is the Content Manager of Addiction Help

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

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Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. is a founder of Addiction Help

Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.

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