How did you successfully taper off of 0.5 lorazepam (Ativan)?

Don't give up 9yearspast. You'll make it. I learned that I am way stronger and brave then I thought I was. So glad that you are off of it. Nature has been,
and always has been, my natural healer.

I was on 0.05 two times daily and I lost memory when I was wrapping presents from Christmas. I couldn’t remember what I had bought and wrapped for my granddaughter’s gifts. It scared me. Asked my doc to reduce me off .05 which she took away and watched me. I have stayed one .05 pill for long term now. I’m doing fine. My doctor told me it’s dangerous to stop Lorezapam and that it has to be tapered. You can’t stop it all once although I told her take me to once a day. I was only on two daily for a month, so it didn’t bother me to lose one dose. I’ve heard it’s impossible to do for many.

You and me both. So glad to be off. I like being able to work on my issues in therapy. Therapy is hard work but worth it. Now I don’t have anyone telling me to be off. I was given a smaller amount in the hospital via IV for an MRI. It knocked me out and they couldn’t do the MRI for hours because they couldn’t wake me to ask me if I had precautions which I did. It made me feel so bad and unable to communicate and remember that I never wanted it again. I am happy to say I am tapered off all psychiatric medication except one trazodone which is a small dose and helps 3x a day. Thank you for reminding me of nature as the body can heal. We are programmed this way. I always find my way. I have a great psychologist who is helping me self soothe and with coping strategies.

This is what I did:
Ativan taper
Reduce every two to three weeks:
Cut pill in half, then quarters
(1) .5, .5, .25, .5, .5, .25…
(2) .5, .25, .5, .25….
(3) .5, .25, .25, .5, .25, .25….
(4) .25 every day
(5) .25, .25, .125, .25, .25, .125…
(6) .25, .125, .25, .125…
(7) .25, .125, .125, .25, .125, .125…
(8) .125 every day
(9) .125, .125, no pill, .125, .125, no pill
(10) .125, no pill, .125, no pill
(11) .125, no pill, no pill, .125, no pill, no pill
(12) Done!!

I am a bit confused, as to how many days in each period you made the changes. Can you show a bit more as to the days and how often to alternate?
Thank you very much

The 1-12 sections are each 2-3 weeks? And how did you alternate for the whole period each time? I am at .75-1mg and unsure how to do this. I think I am trying too fast as I gave alot if anxiety and cannot focus. How long were you taking a benzo?

how long were you on? im now at 0.25mg only at night . was on for 2 and half to 3 months. now having some disruption in sleep. think ill give it a good 10 days then go to 0. 125? never seen a taper bounce back and fourth. did it keep withdrawl symptoms away?

Thank you so much for sharing this. I am not quite sure what the numbers 1-12 stand for? Some of them appear to be for 6 days? others just 4? I am also tapering off 1mg so would I just follow this the same way and reduce by 1/4 each level? Thanks so much for your help. I really want to get this drug out of my life for good! < 3

If you go on YouTube and search for help with weaning yourself off benzodiazepine, you’ll find many people giving advice on how to taper slowly…also, there’s a book called The Ashton Manual, it’s the best information you need to help with tapering off the medication, you can also get it online for free, best of luck with your health.

Can you please give a more detailed breakdown of the length of days of each drop and so forth. It would be a great help.
Thank You.