Derek Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I've been on Ativan for about a year 5mgs down to .5mgs. I know some are probably loling at my dosage now, but when I try to stop the ativan completely I find myself having issues again. I've been on .5mg before bed for about 9 months or so. How long should I expect withdrawals or just till I'm not feeling so off-centered? Ativan has a way of centering me in a very good way. Also, what do you think about long-term use of benzo? Sometimes I think I'd just be happier staying on ativan indefinitely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I don't think there is much wrong with using a benzo long term as long as you don't get side effects from it. They've been around forever and their safety profile is... fairly safe. The things docs worry about most are addiction and tolerance but that doesn't seem to be the case here since you have successfully reduced. Sometimes we just need that little bit of benzo to be stable. Anna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 It seemed like it was helping me more so with depression. I sometimes think the hypnotic effect of ativan helps me a lot with depression. So I wonder if I'm holding onto that instead of using it for the purpose of anxiety. Does anyone know how long withdrawals will last after 1 year on it. Rough estimate is fine I know everyone is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenahandbasket Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I got off ativan by moving to diazepam (valium) which has a longer half-life so has a less intense withdrawal. Then I withdrew from diazepam. I quit it completely but now take it infrequently because, like you, I find it's really very beneficial for both anxiety and depression. I quit because I had taken it for many years at large doses, and it was effecting my memory and cognitive ability. Even now, my memory is not that good and I have some "lost years". You certainly want to avoid that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfred Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 .5 mg is a very low dose of ativan. If this works for you I would not mess with it. Some people can take benzos for decades without constantly increasing the dose, they do not build tolerance to the beneficial effects. I have taken Ativan for decades without problems. nf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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