Can Xanax become addictive in two months or less? What anti-anxiety meds do you all use?

Question

I've tried many meds in the past for my anxiety, but their side effects made me decide to never take them on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, the next two months will be filled with much anxiety, and I will need something to calm my nerves(moving, recent death in the family, ect).

If I take one 0.5 mg tablet of Xanax daily for two months, could that lead to an addiction? Has anyone here tried Xanax for that short amount of time, without problems?

I've received approval by my doctor to take the prescription? Although, he suggested klonopin might be better. I chose Xanax, because there may be days when I don't need the medication, and Xanax can be taken on an as needed basis.

Answer 1

Hello, I am a pharmacist from Oklahoma.

The drug Xanax (alprazolam) is a schedule IV narcotic which means that is does carry some risk for dependency. However, it is important to differentiate between dependency and addiction.

Dependency is a natural adaptation your body will make to certian medications based on how they act in your body. After taking a medication that has been scheduled by the DEA (like Xanax) you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you discontinue taking the medication abruptly.

Addiction, however, is more of a psychological problem rather than physiological. People who exhibit addictive behavior are often labeled as "seekers". They take the drug not for medically prescribed purposes but rather for the sense of euphoria or the "high" that may follow with drugs of this class. While these users also experience dependency they will experience it at a much faster rate and the withdrawal sympotms from the therapy will be much more severe.

Xanax, like any prescription medication is safe to take in accordance with your physician's instructions. You are correct in that Xanax does not need to be taken daily but rather on a "prn" or "as needed" basis in correlation with your anxiety attacks if it is so prescribed. Klonopin (clonazepam), like your doctor suggested, may be a better choice of therapy for you since you complain of problems with the side-effects of anxiolytics. Klonopin - which can also be taken on an "as needed" basis - is reported to have fewer side effects than Xanax and may be more tolerable for you. If you comply with your physician's instructions on how to take the medication and you specifically do not take it more often than prescribed, then neither two months, nor any amount of time will lead to an addiction to these drugs.

Answer 2

Xanax is a very effective drug for anxiety, but it's because in almost any dosage, it is extremely powerful. It's the ultimate "Fight or Flight" drug and most definitely can become highly addictive because it works so well.

Xanax can and does have side effects--the most obvious one is that if you take a little too much one day, you'll find it near impossible to get out of bed. It also has a strong impact on short term memory. There are times when you can't even remember what you had for lunch. And, if you take too much, it can actually make you aggressive rather than anxious--primarily because you can become fearless when on it.

It is easily one of the most effective drugs for anxiety. Is it addictive--of course it can be--everything that works really well has a high likelihood of becomming addictive. That's not an argument for not using it though.

Good luck with it but be careful of the zombie effect and remember to move out of the way when trains and cars are headed toward you. They can still harm you.

Answer 3

First you are taking a VERY small dose of Xanax, the only smaller dose is 0.25 mg. I have a script that will ALLOW me to take 1-2 0.5mg tablets every 6 hours. I have never needed that much. I take 1/2 - 1 tablet when things get too bad and I might need to take 2 doses in 1 day. I have had it for over 6 months. I was in a similar situation, but I was dealing with my terminal mother and then her death and also was pregnant.

If you are stressed - take it. When a body needs a medication it uses it. Only start worrying about addiction if you only take it to feel a buzz or a high and you are not stressed or if you are taking more that what the prescription says.

Try it and if it does not work for you go with what the Dr. suggested. There is nothing wrong with taking a daily medication. If you end up taking a daily medication when you no longer need it you may need to taper off of it to allow your body to adjust. This is NOT an addition, it is a physical adjustment your body needs to make.

Talking also helps. You can email me if you want.

Answer 4

I have taken Xanax for a long time. For almost 4 months I was taking it daily, 2 times a day, sometimes even 3 times a day. When my stress levels went down, I had no problem coming off of it--no addiction.
Klonopin, Ativan, Haldol and Xanax can all be taken on an as needed basis. Its good that you discussed it with your doctor. Just use it as you need it, continue talking with your doctor, and make an attempt to relax. I know that its easier said than done, but when you need meds, you need meds. Try exercising, its great to release tension and stress.
But you shouldn't have problems taking Xanax for that period of time.

Answer 5

I used Xanax without much luck it had side effects that were undesirable to say the least. I have a panic anxiety disorder and went through the whole gamut of different Med's For Three years now I have been on Effexor and they have done great by me there are no side effects so far with me and they are not addictive I find if I don't need one everyday I can skip one with no effects My mother in law was having a lot of anxiety after her hospital stay and they gave her Xanax and she experienced lots of side effects to I told her about Effexor her Dr wrote her a script for it and she has been fine since Talk to you Dr about it It works and its not habit forming

Answer 6

yes, i have taken for that amount of time. i have taken Xanax also 5 mg and also less, i think gives a little adition, after some hours without taking we feel mor anxiety and sadness... this kind of prescription only helps a little than gives us more problems i guess as all drugs, just this ones aren't so bad.

Try to avoid them, i am trying ....

Good luck from Europe

Answer 7

I took Xanax for about three months and did not have an issue with dependency, BUT... I was advised by my doctor from the beginning to ONLY take it as needed. He told me it could take only two weeks to become addicted to the drug, if it was taken too frequently.

Answer 8

Yes it can be addictive...i have use xanax for most of my adult life. But if the Dr. Has approved the usage he should also help you to ween off the meds if it becomes a problem.

Answer 9

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 10

Xanax was very good to me. used it to sleep. could stop for a few days then take it again. worked real well for about a good 10 hrs of undisturbed sleep. found no addictive qualities with this drug. give it a thumbs up