Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

Hi. I’m being weaned off by
my psychiatrist right now.
I do take CBD gummies
which are very helpful.

Please Google and read The Ashton Manual. This is the gold standard (at least in the UK where their NHI isn’t controlled by Big Pharma) for benzodiazepine drug discontinuation practices. US and Canadian doctors wean dangerously fast.

Do not chance a rapid taper. It’s serious stuff. If you fail and reinstate, each consecutive attempt will be harder for your body to adjust to causing major problems. Benzodiazepines now come with an FDA Black Box warning, of course doctors don’t read these, but benzodiazepines should NEVER be prescribed long term (over 4 weeks) and should be very slowly discontinued.

Also look at https://www.benzoinfo.com/
You will find all the info you need here, including the Ashton Manual.

There are some who are lucky and can just jump off these drugs fairly easily, but it’s a crap shoot. Better to start slowly and see how you feel. Do not bother telling your doctor about it. They know very little and you do not want to be ripped off these drugs rapidly by a nervous doctor.

If you doubt this, look at some of the online forums: Benzo Warriors on FB or BenzoBuddies.org and see what’s going on in the real world where people have been gaslighted by the medical profession simply because the medical profession doesn’t have time or money to research these very dangerous drugs. It’s not their fault, but most certainty aren’t bothering to learn anything new. You will see horror stories beyond belief, but also tremendous support. It’s all they have. Not for the faint of heart and, trust me, you do not want to become one of the rapid taper persons. Slow tapers can be bad enough. BTW, dosing every other or few days doesn’t make tapering off easier. The body needs a steady stream of the drug to alleviate interdose withdrawal while tapering. Ativan has a very short half-life so one would feel the withdrawal effects more quickly.

If you choose to stay on these drugs, they most likely will eventually stop working and your prescriber will suggest a higher dose when the SANE thing to do is to slowly taper off and use CBT and other coping techniques. Benzodiazepines are NOT recommended for anxiety or insomnia anymore. They never should have been. There is no research on long-term use (past 4 months). NONE! ZERO! ZILCH! That should make anyone worry.

Best of luck to anyone reading this on a benzodiazepine.

It sounds like you have done your homework. Your husband is lucky to have you. It seems he is in tolerance, meaning the drug has stopped working and should be tapered very, very slowly. It probably won’t be easy, but he can heal his CNS with a very slow taper, clean nutrition, moderate exercise, coping skills and support. Supplements are not always recommended because the CNS is so stressed and over-sensitized. If you try any, go very low and very slow. Most people steer clear. Functional medicine is not necessary if they are just selling supplements. Many people end up having to taper off the supplements! Just eat a clean, plant-based diet and watch for histamine intolerance.

I’d recommend looking at the following link and any other info the site has to offer. Benzo Warriors on FB has every other weekly zoom meetings (Sunday nights) for caregivers of those tapering off of benzodiazepines. You could join that group for more information, but I would recommend that you not read too much into the posts as many are pretty scary. A lot of people have been cold turkeyed (rapidly tapered off) these drugs and are suffering horribly. Those who are tapering slowly and have good support do much better, but it’s still pretty tough for a lot of people.
https://www.benzoinfo.com/ashtonmanual/
This is a highly regarded site and responsible for getting the black box warning for benzodiazepines.

I wish you the best and please, if his doctor insists on a quick taper, tell them you’ve changed your mind and start hoarding pills. Most have given up on their doctors for anything more than a prescription. That is critical. Doctors do not know anything about slow tapers. It’s not in their education.

Best to you and your husband

I just realized I was replying to a VERY old post. I hope the original poster is well and off of these drugs,

I truly hope that your ClonazePam keeps working for you. If you suddenly go into tolerance, you will understand why so many others have been forced to taper off. The smart ones choose to slowly taper off (and I mean years in your case) BEFORE they develop tolerance. Tolerance means your body is already exhibiting signs of withdrawal because the drug is no longer effective. Do you understand that?

No one is happy about having to suffer from excruciatingly long withdrawals. They were put on a medication that was never researched for long term use and took, as prescribed, not knowing the consequences.

Yes, the drugs can just stop working after 30-40 years on them. I know because it happened to me! Educate yourself if you wish, but don’t think those who have had to discontinue are fools. You could find yourself in a similar situation one day. I hope you don’t.

I am currently taking 7.5 mg mirtazapine. I tapered lorazepam (Ativan.) Which are you trying to stop?

Hi there, I’m so sorry your husband is having such a hard time getting off Ativan. I was on it for about 15 years. I just got tired of having to have it to function. One day I just decided to do it and I did. I didn’t do it slowly, I just did it. I never looked back. I’m so glad I did. I can honestly say I didn’t have any after effects. Maybe it was just a fluke but it worked for me. Good luck

I have started a very slow taper. .5 one night 2/3 of that the next. I will be going up to 2/3 of the .5mg every night for awhile. Not sure what I'll do after that.

That still seems too fast. Please look over the Ashton Manual for the correct tapering guidance if you don’t want to really suffer. ❤️