Does Lorazepam Use in TV Shows Send Mixed Messages?
If done correctly, spreading awareness of how drugs and alcohol can harm people’s lives is a good thing. Unfortunately, some films tend to make substance use seem like the best way to manage stress or to have a good time rather than showing the damage they can cause. For example, recent TV shows like “The White Lotus” and “The Pitt” may be sending mixed messages about lorazepam use and misuse.
In general, prescription drugs help people manage stress, depression, anxiety, and other disorders when used as directed. However, problems arise when the drugs are misused or combined with alcohol and other substances.
If you watch these types of shows, keep in mind that they do not portray some essential details about the drug that you should know.
Lorazepam is in a class of controlled substances called benzodiazepines. Doctors prescribe it to relieve anxiety, stress, or insomnia. Other uses include treating agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal or to treat nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment. It may be taken in tablet, extended-release capsule, or liquid form.
Illicit use of lorazepam is widespread. It is popular because high doses produce a feeling of euphoria. The drug also causes a calming, sedating effect that many people seek.
One mistake people make is to assume lorazepam is safe because it was prescribed by a doctor. In truth, drugs like lorazepam are dangerous if accidentally or intentionally misused. They are intended for short-term use only.
Some of the characters in TV shows and movies use the drug to relax, and sometimes drink alcohol after taking the drug. These mixed messages can be dangerous for several reasons. In reality, mixing drugs with alcohol or other drugs causes a range of dangerous side effects.
Many television shows and movies show people sharing prescription drugs with each other. Studies show that about half of all individuals who misuse prescription drugs get them from a friend or relative. The consequences of taking a drug not prescribed for you can be severe.
The characters in the shows seem to be okay and having fun after combining substances, sending a message that it’s okay to overindulge. These mixed messages from television, movies, and social media have caused many people to suffer overdoses. Young people are especially vulnerable because they don’t always separate fiction from reality when exposed to these kinds of messages.
The side effects of lorazepam alone are enough without adding side effects of other substances. For instance, taking lorazepam while drinking alcohol can be life-threatening. Because lorazepam and alcohol are CNS depressants, you are far more likely to suffer respiratory depression when combining the substances.
Potential lorazepam side effects may include:
The side effects can cause people to engage in risky behaviors like aggression or inappropriate sexual behavior. Combining lorazepam with other CNS depressants heightens the intensity of the side effects. Surprisingly, about 90% of people who abuse opiates also abuse benzos like lorazepam.
Like most addictive substances, abruptly quitting benzodiazepines like lorazepam will cause withdrawal symptoms including, but not limited to:
Due to the severity of some of the symptoms, medical detox is the best way to achieve safe, effective withdrawal. Our medical detox program is staffed with professionals who provide 24/7 monitoring and treatment. After detox, our rehabilitation program provides a full continuum of care based on each client’s specific needs.
Lorazepam causes an increase in dopamine release. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that controls the reward centers of the brain. Increased dopamine levels play a role in developing addiction.
The DSM-5 has a list of criteria that indicate addiction. If you meet two or more of these criteria, you may be addicted to lorazepam:
If you meet the criteria for addiction, our JCAHO-accredited treatment programs can help you develop the confidence, skills, and motivation to maintain sobriety for a lifetime.
Overcoming lorazepam addiction requires a combination of therapies that address the physiological, psychological, and spiritual aspects concurrently. Simply quitting the pills is not sufficient to ensure lasting sobriety. The other factors that play a role in addiction are still there and may lead you back to using again.
While in our program, you’ll learn about the underlying reasons why you misuse drugs and how to avoid going down that path again. When you finish the program, we provide aftercare services to help you adjust to sober living.
Contact our Lancaster, CA facility to learn more about our programs. One of our admissions specialists will be available to assist you in any way.
Sources:
medlineplus.gov -Lorazepam
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ – Benzodiazepines
psychiatry.org – About DSM-5-TR
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – DSM-5 / Criteria for Substance Use Disorders: Recommendations and Rationale