Lorazepam Mania: How “White Lotus” Put This Anxiety Drug in the Spotlight

In the luxury Thai resort of “The White Lotus,” Victoria treats lorazepam like it’s part of her vacation essentials. Need to relax before a massage? Pop a lorazepam. Feeling a bit anxious at dinner? Lorazepam with a chaser of Chardonnay. Husband stressed about work? Here, have one of mine!

But what exactly is this medication that Victoria can’t seem to live without?

“Lorazepam is a member of the drug family called benzodiazepines,” Dr. Aligeti explains. These powerful medications work by enhancing the effects of a natural chemical in the brain (GABA) that produces a calming effect, essentially slowing down brain activity to reduce anxiety.

Primarily prescribed for anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and certain types of insomnia, lorazepam is commonly sold under brand names including Ativan and Loreev XR. Some doctors may also prescribe it for seizure conditions or to help patients relax before medical procedures.

However, Dr. Aligeti warns: “The medicines in this family are highly addictive in nature and carry substance abuse potential, especially when used on a regular basis.”

By episode 4 of Season 3 of “The White Lotus,” even Victoria’s daughter calls her out, asking, “You don’t have enough lorazepam to get through one week at a wellness spa?”

The medicines in this family are highly addictive in nature and carry substance abuse potential, especially when used on a regular basis.

Unlike Victoria’s casual approach, medical professionals emphasize a stark reality: lorazepam isn’t a vacation companion or everyday relaxation aid—it’s a powerful medication specifically designed for short-term treatment of severe anxiety and panic attacks, not for enhancing already relaxing massages at luxury resorts.

One of the most problematic behaviors showcased in Season 3 of “The White Lotus” is Victoria’s willingness to share her prescription with her husband Timothy (Jason Isaacs). In episode 1, she tells him, “Take this, they’re not addicting, I just take one when I need it.”

This statement would make any medical professional cringe.

“These medications are highly sedative in nature while at the same time, may cause violent behaviors in some,” warns Dr. Aligeti. “Accidental consumption with certain classes of medications may cause severe sedation, respiratory failure, and death.”

Prescription medications are prescribed to specific individuals based on their medical history, current health status, and other medications they may be taking. What’s appropriate for one person could be dangerous—even deadly—for another.

Perhaps most alarming is Victoria’s habit of taking lorazepam with alcohol, a combination that Dr. Aligeti identifies as particularly dangerous.

“When lorazepam is mixed with alcohol, the sedative properties increase, causing an inability to think clearly—which may pose a risk when driving or cause poor decision making,” she explains. “Also, lorazepam may cause agitation, disinhibited behaviors, and severe decreases in blood pressure.”

The consequences can be even more severe: “In overdoses of this alcohol and lorazepam combination, the result may be a slow breath rate causing respiratory failure, coma, or death.”

This isn’t just medical hyperbole. Both lorazepam and alcohol are central nervous system depressants, meaning they slow down brain activity. When combined, they can amplify each other’s effects to dangerous levels.

The show’s portrayal of lorazepam has led to a surge in online searches about the medication, with many people curious about what it is and how it works. While raising awareness about mental health medications isn’t inherently bad, medical professionals worry that seeing it used so casually on screen might normalize misuse.

“These medications are prescribed for a reason,” says Dr. Aligeti. “They’re not meant to be taken casually before routine activities or to enhance relaxation during already relaxing experiences like a massage.”

Lorazepam is typically prescribed for short-term treatment only, and proper use of lorazepam involves:

• Taking exactly as prescribed
• Never mixing with alcohol
• Never sharing with others
• Regular check-ins with your doctor

If you’re watching “The White Lotus” and wondering about the potential consequences when characters misuse lorazepam—especially in combination with alcohol as the characters do—the medical reality is deeply concerning.

Long-term use can lead to physical dependence, where the body becomes accustomed to the medication and experiences withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop. Medical literature indicates that these withdrawal symptoms can include increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, nausea, sweating, and achiness.

If you’re watching “The White Lotus” and wondering about the potential consequences when characters misuse lorazepam—especially in combination with alcohol as the characters do—the medical reality is deeply concerning.

What’s more concerning is that abrupt withdrawal from benzodiazepines like lorazepam can be medically dangerous and should always be supervised by healthcare professionals.

For those experiencing anxiety, healthier approaches exist than Victoria’s pill-popping strategy. Mental health professionals generally recommend a comprehensive approach to anxiety treatment rather than relying solely on medication management.

First-line treatments for anxiety typically include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction
• Learning to recognize and manage anxiety triggers

These approaches address the root causes of anxiety rather than just temporarily masking symptoms.

While “The White Lotus” provides entertaining drama, the characters’ relationship with lorazepam serves as a cautionary tale. The show inadvertently illustrates how easily prescription medication can be misused when treated casually—starting with Victoria’s misguided use for “jet lag,” a condition for which lorazepam is not medically indicated.

In real life, lorazepam is not appropriate for common jet lag, to “take your mind off” everyday worries, or to enhance relaxation during already relaxing activities like spa treatments. These casual uses represent serious misunderstandings of a powerful medication with significant risks.

Proper use of lorazepam requires specific medical conditions, careful physician oversight, and strict adherence to dosing guidelines.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety or may be misusing anxiety medications, speaking with a mental health care provider about evidence-based treatment options—including therapy, lifestyle changes, and appropriate medication when necessary—is a first step toward genuine, lasting relief that doesn’t come with the risks portrayed so vividly on our TV screens.