AarnThis is WAY TO FAST in coming off benzos. Not sure how long you have been on the benzos, but I have been on either xanax or klonopin (3-5mg. per day) for over 25 years. I have tried 3 times to get off of them in the past 10-years and psychiatrist just don't seem to "get it" when it comes to HOW TO SAFELY TAPER!
I got fed up with the "mental health industry" as a whole when I went in-patient for the 3rd time in October 2015 to taper off 4mg. of Klonopin & they took me off in less than 14-days. The withdrawal was horrific. I was delusional & felt like I was going crazy.
End result: Just like the 1st 2 times I tried to taper & it was unsuccessful because it was too fast, my psychiatrist but me right back on them. I am now on 1mg. of klonopin 3 x day (am, noon, pm). I am going to my PCP & they are going to start a very slow taper by adding Valium. You could do the same thing with the Ativan.
Check out "The Ashton Report" taper schedules. Just google "The Ashton Taper" & it will come up. It is from the UK, but I swear the UK seems to be so educated & knowledgeable about benzos. I have done extensive research on this tapering schedule & it won't hurt to check it out. There are different tapering schedules for all of the different benzos.
There is a 6mg. Ativan taper schedule in the Ashton Report Taper Schedule. I strongly suggest you talk to your doctor about this. I know you said you are on 8mg. Ativan, but they can always "tweak" it to add that extra 2mg.
Wish you the best of luck! I sure hope it works for me!