Ativan is a benzodiazepine medication that is classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule IV substance. It also goes by lorazepam, and can only be obtained with a prescription. The drug was initially thought to be a failure and was shelved for a year. It was later stumbled onto by a colleague of the synthesizer and viewed as a potential to replace barbiturates.Ativan’s sole purpose is to treat anxiety disorder, but in some cases, it may also be used to treat epileptic disorders and seizures. It is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which includes other drugs like opioids, alcohol, and barbiturates.Benzos are not meant to be used in the long-term, and doctors seldom prescribe them for more than three weeks of use. Using benzos for more than three or four weeks may lead to chemical dependency. Once you have developed a dependence, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the drug.