“Where’s My Lorazepam?!” All About the Most In-Demand Drug at ‘The White Lotus’

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If, like me, you’ve been glued to your sofa each Sunday night time to catch the newest episode of The White Lotus, then you definately’ve certainly been listening to the phrase “lorazepam” in Parker Posey’s drawling accent time and again in your head. It’s the drug of alternative for kooky Southern mother Victoria Ratliff (performed by Posey), who can’t appear to go wherever—not even dinner along with her household at a wellness retreat—with out popping one of many anti-anxiety drugs and stashing the prescription in her purse. She’s typically seen zoning out, slurring her phrases, and even falling asleep on the desk after sipping white wine.

On the lastest episode of the hit HBO sequence (season 3, episode 5, which dropped on March 16), it is much more clear that Victoria and her husband, troubled businessman Timothy Ratliff (performed by Jason Isaacs), have each grow to be depending on the drug. Victoria cannot recover from the truth that her prescription bottle is lacking—”I do not even have my lorazepam, I am gonna need to drink myself to sleep,” she says at one level—and Timothy nonetheless hasn’t come clear that he is the one which stole it.

In case you’re curious what this drug is all about and if it’s even protected to take for nervousness, you’re not alone. That’s why I talked to an professional to get the lowdown on lorazepam. Scroll down for the whole lot you may need to know in regards to the treatment and the way it may be affecting the Ratliffs as they imbibe their manner throughout Koh Samui.

What’s lorazepam?

Lorazepam, additionally identified by the model identify Ativan, is a drug generally prescribed short-term to deal with nervousness and panic issues. It belongs to the category of medicines referred to as benzodiazepines, which work to calm the central nervous system by slowing exercise within the mind. Designed for use as an as-needed therapy that will help you loosen up, it will probably additionally trigger a way of euphoria, drowsiness, and/or cognitive impairment.

“Its accessibility and effectiveness in acute settings makes it a go-to for well being care suppliers seeking to alleviate instant misery,” says Sue Varma, MD, PC, DFAPA. “It’s mostly used for short-term therapy, typically whereas the affected person works on long-term methods like cognitive behavioral remedy (CBT) or way of life modifications that deal with the basis causes of tension or insomnia.”

Is it a simple drug to abuse?

Somebody reaaally ought to have fact-checked Victoria when she handed a lorazepam to her husband and stated, “Take this, they’re not addicting, I simply take one after I want it.” Lorazepam is, in truth, very straightforward to abuse, says Dr. Varma, particularly when it’s taken extra regularly—or in bigger doses—than prescribed. “Continual misuse of lorazepam can result in bodily dependence, tolerance (requiring extra of the drug for a similar impact), and withdrawal signs when discontinuing use,” she says. “It’s so necessary that well being care suppliers intently monitor sufferers on this treatment, however that doesn’t at all times occur.”

In case you’re being given a begin date for lorazepam, your physician needs to be supplying you with an finish date, too, says Dr. Varma, noting that there ought to at all times be a transparent plan for a way you’ll get off the treatment. It’s not the kind of treatment that you just pop everytime you really feel prefer it, regardless of what the Ratliffs may be doing on TV.

The truth is, you shouldn’t even be utilizing it every day: “Taking lorazepam alone two to 3 occasions every week or extra shouldn’t be the usual of take care of any individual with an nervousness dysfunction, reminiscent of generalized nervousness dysfunction,” says Dr. Varma. “Not solely will or not it’s inadequate, however an individual will are likely to take it every day, and shortly discover themselves growing tolerance and a physiological dependence on it.”

Who’s it greatest for?

Lorazepam is greatest as a short-term resolution for these coping with acute nervousness or panic issues, says Dr. Varma. It may also be prescribed for individuals who want short-term reduction from insomnia or stress, or sufferers who require a sedative for sure medical procedures (for instance, when you have claustrophobia and want an MRI).

Are you able to drink whereas taking lorazepam?

Nooooo, Ratliff household, no! It’s not protected to drink whereas on this treatment! “Each lorazepam and alcohol are central nervous system depressants, that means they decelerate mind exercise and may result in profound sedation, impaired coordination, and respiratory despair,” says Dr. Varma. “This mix can enhance the danger of extreme uncomfortable side effects reminiscent of excessive drowsiness, dizziness, fainting, and even respiratory failure, which will be life-threatening.” Put down the vino, Victoria!

Who ought to not take lorazepam?

There are a couple of teams of people that ought to keep away from lorazepam, says Dr. Varma, together with those that are pregnant or breastfeeding, aged sufferers who could also be extra delicate to sedation, and people with sure medical circumstances that will react to the treatment (like extreme liver illness and acute narrow-angle glaucoma).

Folks with a historical past of substance abuse must also steer clear, says Dr. Varma. “Attributable to its potential for habit, people who’ve struggled with alcohol, pharmaceuticals, or different substances ought to usually keep away from lorazepam.”

Is anybody within the Ratliff household taking it the precise manner?

Actually…no. As Dr. Varma talked about, it’s best to actually solely take lorazepam if you’re experiencing excessive nervousness—assume, like, mid-panic assault—and really sparingly, at that. Victoria appears to be popping ’em at any time when she feels any emotion in any respect, a number of occasions a day, and her dependence on the drug started exhibiting all the way in which again in episode 1. (One among my favourite traces this whole season: Piper, Victoria’s daughter, quipping, “You don’t have sufficient lorazepam to get by way of one week at a wellness spa?”)

Victoria additionally supplied up her drugs to her husband, which is at all times a significant no-no. Positive, “what’s mine is yours” in marriage and all that jazz, however let this be a reminder that it’s best to by no means give pharmaceuticals to somebody whose identify isn’t on the bottle. We noticed Timothy sneakily swallow two lorazepam in a row throughout episode 4, and I, for one, am afraid to see what’s going to go down because the season goes on.

MEET THE EXPERT

Sue Varma, MD, PC, DFAPA, is a board-certified psychiatrist, scientific assistant professor at NYU Langone Well being, and a Distinguished Fellow on the American Psychiatric Affiliation. She is the writer of Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being, which got here out in February 2024.

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