What Lorazepam From White Lotus Season 3 Really Does To Your Body

If there's one thing "The White Lotus" never fails to deliver, it's unforgettable characters making questionable choices in paradise. In Season 3, indie icon Parker Posey joins the chaos as Victoria Ratliff, a North Carolina socialite trying (and failing) to keep her family together — often with the help of a little lorazepam. Whether she's dealing with drama at the resort or just another tense dinner, Victoria is frequently seen popping the anti-anxiety medication like breath mints.

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that's commonly prescribed to treat anxiety for up to four months. According to the National Institutes of Health, lorazepam is preferred in hospitals because it tends to work quickly. People with anxiety disorder may take it two to three times a day, but the daily dose shouldn't exceed 10 milligrams.

Of course, Victoria doesn't always follow the rules. She often washes down her lorazepam with a glass of wine, which isn't exactly doctor-approved. Mixing lorazepam with alcohol increases the risk of dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired thinking, something you can see firsthand when Victoria starts nodding off mid-conversation. Lorazepam isn't meant for long-term use because of its serious side effects and risk of dependence. It can also be fatal if mixed with alcohol or other drugs.

Once lorazepam is metabolized by the liver, it binds to receptors in the brain that respond to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a neurotransmitter that calms the nervous system. StatPearls explains that by enhancing GABA's effects, lorazepam reduces excessive brain activity in areas linked to fear and anxiety, such as the amygdala (via National Library of Medicine). When taken intravenously, these effects can occur within minutes.

Short-term side effects of lorazepam include dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, and unsteadiness. Like other benzodiazepines, lorazepam is not intended for long-term use due to the risk of dependence. Typically, benzodiazepines are prescribed for only two to four weeks unless closely monitored by a doctor. Withdrawal symptoms can occur after just one week of use and may include insomnia, panic attacks, hallucinations, vertigo, and depression.

(Know the difference between substance misuse and dependence.)

Lorazepam also carries a high risk of overdose, especially when combined with alcohol, opioids, or other central nervous system depressants. In severe cases, overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, slowed breathing, dangerously low blood pressure, coma, or death. Because lorazepam is a federally controlled substance, it should be stored securely to prevent accidental overdose or misuse.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

"The White Lotus" may have brought renewed attention to lorazepam, but clinical pharmacist Dr. Marta Miyares at Jackson Health System emphasizes that the drug shouldn't be seen as a quick fix for anxiety. "While such depictions can raise awareness, they also risk glamorizing or trivializing substance misuse," she said. According to a 2019 study in Psychiatric Services, nearly 20% of people prescribed benzodiazepines misuse them, with the most common form of misuse being sharing the medication with a friend or relative.

Lorazepam may pose risks for some individuals. A 2024 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology analyzed the Food and Drug Administration's adverse event reporting database for lorazepam, identifying general side effects such as fever, chills, and fatigue. Among 552 reported side effects, the most frequent were drug abuse, suicide attempts, excessive drowsiness, delirium, and psychiatric disorders.

Some reported side effects were unexpected. Some individuals developed pneumonia, obesity, rapid heartbeat, heart inflammation, and ulcers. Older adults aged 59 to 69 were more likely to experience side effects due to accumulated stress and natural aging.