Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

Hi
I have been taking 1 mg Lorazepam for more than a year. Initially my psych prescribed it to help me sleep through the night due to AUD (alcoholism). But I’ve managed to cut drinking back significantly (only take a drink if out with friends - not often at all - about once every 3 weeks). My wife and I agreed to stop drinking alcohol at home and that’s been working well and I’m through the AUD withdrawal which wasn’t too bad.

Now comes the Lorazepam as the next challenge. How do I taper (titre) off 1 mg? I know it’s supposed to be done very slowly. I’ll ask my Dr of course but looking for similar experiences. I think the smallest dose marketed is 0.5 mg.

All psychiatric medications make changes to the brain…real changes in the way the brain is wired. Everything you and everyone is experiencing is the brain fighting against these poisons.

They are not therapeutic they treat symptoms not cause and they suck at doing that.

The are poison…full stop.

The body simply rejects them.

Who was the idiot that approved a drug that “might cause suicidal thoughts or actions” if that was the case with antibiotics we’d all be dead from infections or suicide.

Psychiatry is voodoo, there is no science supporting any of this.

We are all the victims of a self organized system that prioritize profit over human suffering.

And I am going to tear it to the ground; watch for Thrive: The Theory of Abundance and The End of Suffering.

They should have killed me when they had the chance. Well I’m still here and I am going to tell the world what they have done. The Single Biggest Crime ever perpetrated against huminaty.

Think Tobacco on steroids.

All that being true do not stop taking your meds cold turkey…I’ve tied to kill myself more times than anyone knows. This has noting to do with being weak willed or “mentally ill” it is because my brain is damaged by childhood trauma, cortisol dis regulation, years of poisonous psychiatric medications, 19 season of ECT , long Covid, a pulmonary embolism caused by the meds…on and on and on.

My brain is swollen, like everyone to one degree or another. My doctors are finally paying attentions.

All “mental health” problems are brain swelling/trauma/cortisol feed back loop. One has to break the feed back loop by address all three.

Nutrition
Exercise
Electrolytes as much a you can stand.
Meditation…it is real it heals the brain.
Love, love, love for yourself and others.
Get away from toxic people especially doctors that don’t listen they are to be feared worse than death.

I review this site everyday and litany of suffering is more than I can take I am going to do something about it. If anyone thinks this is hyperbole from a bipolar patient, Google me…Im back and I want a reckoning.

Hang on, I witness your suffering and intented on making the world witness it…so help me…you know who.

Warn them…I’m coming.

Peace and good heath are your birth right take it back.

PM me anytime.

Enough of this; time they help us get off the poison they addicted us to.

Suffering sucks, unacknowlged suffering really sucks, being blamed for your suffering really, really sucks, suffering caused by those who are supposed to help is criminal…they need psychiatrist in prison to…maybe they can get out early by cleaning the bathrooms.

Oh yeah I’m angry.

By the way I as on 14 mediations 18 months ago…I am on nothing now and have recovered physical mentally and spiritual beyond my base line. If I can make it anyone can. I no what prescription for Cannabis, 100mg a daily versus 3000mg of psyche meds… cannibis being illegal is another artifact of the profit system. The AMA opposed making it Illegal because it is so useful…but its not profitable…cause you can’t patent a plant.

@dfb, I understand and hear your anger. Mental health is complex and no two people are alike. Please be careful about sweeping statements that may not apply to everyone. For some people, medication is a life saver, for others a bridge to better health, and for others not helpful.

It can be a bridge to better health if people are told the truth.

I’m strongly recommending that…good health begins and ends with informed consent.

We are being lied to.

One can not chose what one does not know.

I see nothing threatening about be told what my options are.

Psychiatrist are not gods…

Informed consent is a guiding principle in every area of medicine except psychiatry.

It is wrong.

@dorothy1914

I have an appointment with an actual Doctor, nothing against nurse practitioners or anyone else, but after everything I've been through, just not good experiences with them.
But I have an appointment on the 10th at 10:45. So thankful it's a morning appointment. I just pray that she will be able to help me.
I'm going to be alone from Monday till, I think Thursday. I'm worried about being alone while I'm feeling like this.
I am seriously so scared to be alone. I don't have friends, and absolutely no one I can talk to. What if I do have a nervous breakdown and I'm alone?
Amy

I came of Lorazepam after 9 years at 3mg for sleep. After coming off nothing allowed me to sleep. I was advised through friends to try tea, melatonin and CBD. If only it were that easy!! After 1 year of literally 1-3 hours of sleep at night and my husband moving to the spare bedroom so he did not interrupt the little sleep I was getting, I admitted myself to a 30 day program for med review and counseling. During my stay I was put on 3 different meds plus melatonin and magnesium. Although I miss the almost immediate gratification of my 3mg of Ativan, I am slowly forcing myself to take the prescription nighttime drugs and going to bed an hour after taking. I am now getting 8-9 hours of sleep but with help of prescriptions. My Doctors swear this is better than continuing benzos. I struggle everyday like an alcoholic wanting to find a Dr. to give me my benzos, but the hell I have put my family through, I refuse to give up trying.

My point exactly…failure to inform and gain consent is prima facia legal malpractice. There is going to be hell to pay.

On can not choose what one does not know.

I Will contend with debilitating side effects for the rest of my life and they knew from the before anyone ever wrote a prescription.

If one knows and chooses…fine. Chemo makes people sick…my sister refused it.

Would you have refused psych meds if you’d known?

Especially if you were told there were other options that did not poison you.

This is criminal malpractice on an epic scale…watch it is all coming down.

If your meds work for you, bless you, change nothing. In my experience you are one of a very small minority be very grateful…having one’s psyche torn to pieces is not a side effect anyone should agree to.

There is a reckoning coming and not from me…as is the case with most corrupt systems it will implode all by itself..it’s already happening. That risks meds not being available to the minority who do need them.

The crime committed against humanity is unquantifiable…but some lawyer will try to…count on it.

Claim your birth rite to peace and good health.