You’ve probably heard the phrase “popping pills,” right? It’s common slang, often associated with young people who use prescription medication for non-medical reasons. Usually, it’s paired with a dismissive or condescending remark that only reinforces the stigma against substance use disorders.
We know addiction to medication like Ativan is about a lot more than just taking pills for fun, or out of curiosity. It’s about pain – both emotional and physical, and it’s a cycle that’s hard to break on your own.
The good news is, you don’t have to do this alone. Wolf Creek Recovery provides the Ativan addiction treatment that will change your life. Non-medical use of benzodiazepines like Ativan was lower overall in 2023 than it has been in a decade, and that encourages us. It also reinforces something we already know: treatment and education lead to healing and turning away from substance use. It can work for you, too.
What We Treat: Ativan Addiction
It isn’t always clear where a substance use disorder starts. This is especially true if you were prescribed Ativan by a doctor. Did it start when you began needing more Ativan to find relief from your symptoms, and you felt sick without taking it? Was it when you started taking more than your doctor told you to without discussing it with them? If you took Ativan the first time after borrowing it from a friend, did it start with that original dose?
Loved ones might ask those questions even more, trying to find answers to where everything went wrong, and if they could’ve done anything to stop it.
The truth is, how addiction started doesn’t matter as much as how it’s going. You can’t change the past, but you can control this moment, and what you do with it will change your future. Wolf Creek’s staff is in recovery, so we’ve been where you are. We know how difficult it is to seek treatment – and we also know what life is like on the other side of a substance use disorder. We want you to experience it, too.
How We Treat: What to Expect From Ativan Rehab at Wolf Creek
Treatment with Wolf Creek begins with an assessment to determine exactly what you need to get started on the road to recovery. We’ll work with you to decide whether you need mental health treatment alongside treatment for your Ativan addiction, and what your treatment plan looks like.
After that, we may refer you to our trusted partners for a detox program. There, you’ll be carefully attended to by skilled medical staff as you go through Ativan withdrawal and it leaves your system. You’ll be in good hands, with all the help you need to manage your pain and guide you through the process safely.
Once you complete the detox program, you’ll return to our facility, where you’ll attend therapy and other activities that will set you on the path to recovery during the day. At night, you’ll stay in housing provided by Wolf Creek.
Some activities you might participate in during treatment are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). You’ll learn to recognize harmful thought patterns and reframe them into something more positive.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). In this type of talk therapy based on CBT, you’ll develop strategies to manage strong emotions healthily.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). You’ll move your eyes to create bilateral stimulation while thinking about traumatic memories, allowing the brain to reprocess trauma in a healthy way (as opposed to the way you first experienced it).
- Motivational interviewing. You’ll find the internal inspiration you need to make positive life changes through open-ended questions and affirmations from a therapist you trust.
- Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). You’ll focus on altering the harmful thoughts and beliefs that influence your behavior.
- Family therapy. Your entire family will have the opportunity to build healthier lives together.
- Fun outdoor activities. You’ll enjoy nature by paddleboarding, canoeing, camping, and playing team sports.
Understanding Ativan Addiction and How It Happens
Ativan works by making a calming neurotransmitter in your brain, GABA, more active. This is why it’s so good at treating anxiety and insomnia. The problem is, that your brain and body can start relying on Ativan to control your GABA very quickly. That’s why Ativan is rarely used long-term – you can become physically dependent on it.
Physical dependence doesn’t mean you have a substance use disorder, but it does mean you need more Ativan to feel the original effects, and you’ll experience painful withdrawal symptoms when you go without it. It’s the first step toward addiction for a lot of people because they might take more Ativan to cope, which can create a vicious cycle.
If you were prescribed Ativan and believe you have a physical dependence, the best thing to do is contact your doctor. As long as you stay in touch with them and follow their directions, you won’t develop a substance use disorder.
Causes of Ativan Addiction: There’s Not Just One
There’s no single clear cause of Ativan addiction, though the following factors make substance use disorders more likely:
- Genetics
- Family history of substance use disorders
- Exposure to substance misuse at an early age
- Trauma, especially during childhood
- High levels of prolonged stress
- Untreated mental health conditions
When to Seek Help: Signs You or a Loved One Need Treatment for an Ativan Addiction
The biggest sign that someone needs treatment for an Ativan addiction is if their Ativan use is taking a significant toll on their life. It might not be obvious right away, especially to the person taking the medication, so here are some signs:
- Fixating on Ativan and always having it on hand
- Going to multiple doctors to try to get additional prescriptions
- Dedicating a lot of time to obtaining, taking, and recovering from Ativan
- Distancing themselves from loved ones and hobbies
- Taking more Ativan than they intended and feeling like they can’t stop
- Experiencing cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal
- Continuing to take Ativan despite the consequences that come with it
Finding Ativan Addiction Treatment in Arizona: Trust Wolf Creek Recovery
The cycle of Ativan addiction is draining and painful, and it’s not just the person taking the medication who gets caught in it. Their loved ones do, too. Thankfully, it’s possible to break out. Wolf Creek can equip you with everything you need to do it. Contact us and let us help.
Wolf Creek Recovery, located in Prescott, Arizona, is dedicated to delivering treatment rooted in honesty, integrity, respect, compassion, commitment, and courage. We aim to embody these traits every day and inspire them in everyone we work with as they develop the skills and strength they need to achieve lasting recovery. Ready to start building a life you love? Call us at 1-833-732-8202 today.
