You are correct to be VERY careful with the ativan. I ended up on klonopin to stop drinking and ended up addicted to THAT...which was a FAR worse withdrawal. With PAWS.
My experience is that the post WD anxiety gets easier over time if you stop completely. Benzos are a great tool for detox, but I cannot be trusted with them, I had to do an inpatient detox largely for this reason.
YMMV.