Ativan, the brand name for lorazepam, is a benzodiazepine often prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, or seizures. While it can be effective, Ativan also carries a risk of misuse and dependence.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that benzodiazepine misuse has risen in recent years, with nearly 30% of opioid-related overdose deaths also involving these medications.
The length of time Ativan stays in your system depends on a variety of factors, but on average, its half-life is about 12 hours. In other words, it takes roughly 12 hours for the body to clear half of the medication.
Since it takes several half-lives for a drug to leave the body completely, Ativan may take about 2–3 days to be fully eliminated from your system.
Several factors can affect how long Ativan stays in your system. Your age, body weight, metabolism, and liver health all play a role in how quickly the medication is processed and cleared from the body.
Because metabolism naturally slows with age, older adults often process Ativan more slowly than younger individuals. As a result, the drug may remain in their system longer.
Individuals who are overweight or obese may metabolize Ativan more slowly than those at a healthy weight. This can cause the drug to remain in their system for a longer period of time.
Women often have a slower metabolism compared to men, which means Ativan may take longer to leave their system.
Metabolism varies from person to person, and those with a faster metabolism can clear Ativan from their system more quickly. On the other hand, certain medications that slow down liver enzymes involved in processing Ativan may cause the drug to stay in the body longer.
Misusing Ativan or taking it alongside other substances can cause the drug to build up in the body, making it stay in your system for a longer period of time.
Knowing Ativan’s half-life helps explain how long it stays in the body. On average, the half-life is about 12 hours, meaning it takes that long for half of the dose to be cleared.
After another 12 hours, half of what remains is eliminated, and this process continues until the drug is fully cleared. Keep in mind, though, that each person’s half-life may differ depending on individual health and metabolism.
Ativan can show up on different types of drug tests, including urine, blood, saliva, and hair. How long it’s detected depends on the test itself, along with personal factors like metabolism and how often the drug is used.
Here are the general detection windows for Ativan:
Urine tests can usually detect Ativan for up to 6 days after the last dose.
Blood tests can generally detect Ativan for about 2–3 days after the last use.
Saliva tests can detect Ativan for up to 8 hours after the last dose.
Hair tests can detect Ativan for much longer than other methods—often up to 30 days or more after the last use.
A single dose of Ativan usually wears off within a few hours, but some effects can linger even after the drug has started leaving your system. These may include drowsiness, slower reaction times, or reduced coordination.
If you want to know when Ativan is fully out of your system, the safest step is to speak with a healthcare professional. They can consider your health, history, and unique situation to give you more personalized guidance.
Sometimes, a drug test may show a false positive for Ativan or other benzodiazepines even if you haven’t taken them. This can happen if you’re using certain prescription medications, such as:
If you receive a positive test result, it’s important to follow up with your doctor. They may recommend a more accurate test to confirm whether the result was truly positive.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with Ativan addiction, reaching out for professional support can make a real difference. At Arizona IOP in Scottsdale, Arizona, we specialize in outpatient addiction treatment, providing compassionate and effective care.
Our holistic approach looks beyond the surface of addiction to address its root causes. With personalized treatment plans, our team works closely with each individual to create therapies that fit their unique needs and support long-term recovery.
At Arizona IOP, we’ve created a calming and supportive environment where individuals can focus fully on healing. Our outpatient programs are designed to provide structure, guidance, and care without disrupting daily responsibilities, making recovery more accessible.
For those seeking added privacy and tailored treatment, we also offer a Luxury Outpatient Program. This option gives professionals and executives the discretion and personalized support they need while still receiving high-quality care.
If you or a loved one is ready to overcome Ativan addiction and take back control of life, Arizona IOP is here to walk with you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our outpatient treatment options and start your journey toward lasting recovery.
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