Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

The Wall Street Journal had an article this week about the growing realization that benzodiazepines can cause major problems when trying to quit using them. The symptoms described aren't all that different from what I experienced when I stopped Effexor. The article also details serious physical problems for those using them, some of them not unlike what you describe. The article only briefly mentions lorazepam and focuses instead on Xanax, but the problems it discusses seem to seep over into all the different benzodiazepines. It's behind a paywall, as is everything on that paper, but if you have a subscription it's worth reading. If you don't, it's probable that your library carries it. Based on what I read, it sounds like getting a doctor involved in tapering him off would be wise.
https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/xanax-drug-benzodiazepines-research-harm-7a60f236?mod=hp_lead_pos7

Thank you for the article. I have to wonder how long Doctors continued to prescribe benzodiazapines, KNOWING they were so dangerous,

I was on Ativan for anxiety after a cancer diagnosis. Started relying on it for sleep. My doctor told me he wanted me off it and I did a very slow taper. I’m thankful that he said I needed to be off it

It has always been pick your poison.

I was on Xanax for years and years when I tried to get off of it. The effects from the withdrawals were horrible. I seriously thought I was gonna die, but I didn’t know I went off of them cold turkey so my cousin being in the health fields help me to wean myself off. I will never ever take that kind of medication again I take Cymbalta 60 mg if I start getting anxiety. I have Cymbalta 20 mg that I could add during the day still struggle with anxiety on and off. I hope your husband succeeds.

@mikaylar
In response to your comment
"It has always been pick your poison".
That does not apply to Benzodiazapines prescribed by Doctors to patients when they KNEW/and KNOW the inherent dangers
The patient did not get to pick anything.
They have been lied to and duped into taking these Benzodiazapines which are now considered very dangerous with harmful side effects and are a horror to get off.
No, no choice here. This is on the medical profession.
Period.

Have your doctor switch you to diazepam (Valium) it is milder…no sharp phase transitions and while still habit forming far less so then the current class like lorazepam and Xanax that like tobacco will prove to be enhanced to create dependence.

Step down…I find it very relieving and no harsh edges and I am not dependent on either, less than .5 a month after 3mg daily for years.

And I really don’t need that, it saves having to pull over on the highway and meditate for minutes, though that works just well if not better.

We have been poisoned for profit.

I just signed a book deal to expose all of it.

If I can heal anyone can.

Peace and Good Health is your birthright insist on it.

I’m positive they knew a long time ago. They just had no idea what to do with all their horribly dependent patients.

A benzo is a benzo. Some have a short half life, some have a long half life. Some are a little weaker, some are a little stronger. Bottom line is they all cause a horrible dependency and they’re all a nightmare to discontinue.

Thank you for sharing.