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I am addicted to Lorazepam 1mg. I do not get sleep without this tablet
Mental Disorders
Question #9346
98 days ago
2,854

I am addicted to Lorazepam 1mg. I do not get sleep without this tablet - #9346

Francis

I have got addicted to Lorazepam 1 mg tabs. Earlier also I have taken psychiatric medicine and got well. But later I again started taking psychiatric medicine which i Tend to abuse. How to get over this addiction

Age: 61
Chronic illnesses: Only cardiac medicine being taken since I had a bypass in 2019 I am also diabetic and take diabetic medicine
Lack of sleep
100 INR (~1.18 USD)
Question is closed

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Doctors’ responses

Hello Mr. Francis, from whatever history you have provided, it appears that you have become dependent on Lorazepam and not taking it would cause sleep issues for you. One solution for this would be very gradual tapering of Lorazepam over months and at the same time, following a proper sleep hygiene. There are other alternative drugs to use for detoxification like Diazepam and Chlordiazepoxide as they are available in bigger doses and easy to taper than Lorazepam. Also, these drugs are collectively called Benzodiazepines and they cannot be prescribed online as per telemedicine guidelines of India 2020. Hence, kindly consult your nearest psychiatrist in person for proper evaluation and assessment. Regards, Dr. Charan Kumar, MD Psychiatry (NIMHANS).
Accepted response

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Hello, At 61, with heart and diabetes history, don’t stop Lorazepam suddenly—it can cause serious withdrawal. Consult a psychiatrist to taper the dose safely and possibly switch to a safer alternative. Therapy (like CBT) helps manage anxiety without addiction. Keep BP, sugar, and sleep under control, avoid alcohol/caffeine, and build a routine. With medical support and slow tapering, you can overcome this addiction safely and prevent relapse.

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Overcoming an addiction to Lorazepam (1 mg), especially with a history of psychiatric treatment and existing medical conditions, requires a safe, structured, and compassionate approach. Here are two focused paragraphs that can guide your next steps: Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that can cause dependence, especially with long-term use or higher-than-prescribed doses. Since you've had a history of psychiatric treatment and are currently managing cardiac and diabetic conditions, it's essential to approach withdrawal with medical supervision. Suddenly stopping Lorazepam can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, or even seizures. The best course is a gradual tapering plan designed by a psychiatrist — ideally someone who also collaborates with your cardiologist and diabetologist to ensure your overall health stays stable during the process. Psychological support, through counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can also help you understand the emotional triggers that lead to misuse and build healthier coping strategies. Since you've previously improved with psychiatric care, there's strong hope for recovery again. The key difference now is to set up ongoing support even after tapering — this could include regular psychiatric follow-ups, a therapist you trust, and perhaps a local addiction support group. Your age and health make it crucial to not delay seeking help. Talk to your current doctor about this openly, or if you're not comfortable, consider seeing a new psychiatrist with experience in geriatric psychiatry or addiction. You're not alone, and with the right care, it's very possible to feel better and live free of dependency.

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