Dr rx'd .5mg ativan (lorazepam) 1x/day as needed for short-term relief of recent anxiety & assoc muscle tension. am worried abt dependence. how do i avoid that?

You're right.: Benzo's do promote dependence if unchecked. You have awareness of this, which is a good prognosticator. Talk with your doc, but you could alternate the ativan (lorazepam) with other things that do not have as high a dependency-inducing profile. Valerian root comes to mind. Stay away from alcohol. What about aerobic exercise (including sex)?