My girlfriend is a U.S. Army veteran who became disabled while serving in Iraq. She has both a traumatic brain injury and PTSD. In 2012, the VA psychiatrist prescribed Ativan to my girlfriend for her anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia. She now has been taking 1.5 mg of Ativan for over 7 years now. This really concerns me because Ativan is only suppose to be used for a short time (generally 2 to 4 weeks) and it never is suppose to be prescribed to anyone with either a traumatic brain injury or PTSD. My girlfriend has both conditions and has been taking this drug for 7 years now. I am very worried because this long-term use has caused her to become dependent on Ativan and has negatively affected her judgement, memory and mood. Her behavior has become irritable, erratic and confusing in nature. I want to get her in a treatment program to get off Ativan, but every time I bring it up, she denys that she has a problem and gets angry with me for bringing it up. I am so worried about my girlfriend's long-term use of Ativan and how it is negatively impacting our relationship and her mental and emotional health. What do I do?
Hi jmg,
I'm so sorry for the suffering your girlfriend has gone through, and I'm impressed by how loving and responsible you are being towards her.
Does she have a regular doctor? If so, could you make an appointment to talk with him/her in confidence, about your concerns for her addiction, her mental & emotional health, and the long-term use of the drug? If she is connected to the VA, could you talk to someone there in confidence about the situation? Is there a support group for partners of vets that you could join? Either google it or contact the VA. Many vets have PTSD, TBI, addictions, etc. and people there could probably give you helpful pointers. Another possibility is that you could attend a free 12-step support group for family & friends of people who are addicted. Like Nar-Anon or AlAnon. (Note: Do not go to Narconon, which is a Scientology front group with a 12-step type of name, but no connection to 12 step groups.). Or you may find it helpful to call the SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline.
https://www.samhsa.gov › find-help › national-helpline
SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357), is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Hope some of this is helpful. Blessings.