Ativan is not the least strong benzo. The strength of benzodiazepine is measured by its metabolic rate or 'half-life'... basically from how long it takes from the time you swallow the pill to half of it already out of your body, this also varies per person. For example the half life of Xanax is 6-12 hours and Ativan 10-20 hours. Your goal should be to take the benzo with the shortest half life at the lowest mg value that relieves your anxiety. I'm currently on Xanax .25mg/day. Though I know for some people have built an immunity to benzos and need something stronger. You can look up the full chart of every benzo, its actually quite interesting.