Xanax questions, panic, anxiety, need help?

Question

I suffer from extreme Anxiety,I have for years. My doc prescribed me Xanax to be taken as NEEDED. I only want to use it when I really need it and so far that has been once, maybe twice weekly. The dose is between .15-50 mg per time I take it. I break the pills up and disolve them under my tongue. Sometimes I only need a very small amount, other times more is required. I am fearful of addiction. Is taking xanax like this once or twice per week going to lead to addiction? The drug works VERY well and stops my panic and anxiety in 15 minutes or less. I have also noticed I'm very relaxed the next day, even after it wears off, as if my anxiety is reset itself and then it starts to build over the next 4-5 days again. I know they say xanax only lasts about 4 hours, but for me, even after the heavy affect is gone, I'm left in a relaxed state. Very strange but i like it.

Answer 1

It is so easy to get addicted to this drug....it is excellent for getting rid of panic attacks..and if it helps you, then take it...but be careful...because the seizures you can get when weening off it it AREN'T so fun....if you are able to not take them but every four or five days, then you will be fine...but it is when you start to rely on them, that they can cause terrible consequences...it is a highly addictive drug..yes, you are right to be concerned...i still often take just a .10,.....broken up into fourths...just to sleep...but even then, I can see the little withdrawals, when I don't take them..it took me three months to ween myself off before...so be careful with this mircacle drug..in the long run,..it does help.

Answer 2

I think you should be absolutely fine taking it exactly how you have been. This is why they make this medication in the first place!

Yes, benzodiazapines can be addictive and can be abused. Personally, as someone who tends to enjoy abusing substances and has an "addictive personality", I do not see anything about the benzos that makes me want to abuse them. They just work for stopping the excessive anxiety when I become unable to function like a relatively normal person. (I'm bipolar and I do have times when I become a raging lunatic.) The medication brings me back to normal. I get no sort of "high" from it. If I take more than the recommended dose, it makes me want to sleep, and I don't find that to be fun at all. So I continue to take it as prescribed and do quite well on it.

I have been taking a low dose of Ativan, a similar medication to Xanax, (.5 mg) at night and as needed (which I actually think to take it for very infrequently, usually by the time I realize I needed it, the episode has passed, in the midst of it I am not thinking clearly enough to remember I have the Ativan) for 4 or 5 years. It's true it is usually prescribed for a short time, but my doctor doesn't have a problem with me still being on it. I clearly do not abuse it. My tolerance has not gotten higher and higher, so that I need a higher and higher dose to have the same effect. I do not feel any negative effects if I miss a dose or two or a week. I do not crave it. I have had no problem whatsoever with physical or psychological addiction with this drug.

I have, however, dealt with the physical addicition that comes along with most antidepressants (don't believe me? how many people go through withdrawal if they stop antidepressants cold turkey? Almost all!)

Anyway, point being, you are not abusing your medication. Xanax is a highly effective antianxiety med. If you continue to take it this way, you are going to be fine. However, if you find yourself taking more and more of it and seeming to need it, you might want to reevaluate.

Answer 3

My mother was prescribed xanax for about 7 years. It was awful! Xanax shouldn't be prescribed to anyone. Last year she became so bad that we had to put her in the hospital. The side effects of xanax are terrible and I never want to see anyone coming off of that horrible drug again. Your mom needs a different doctor because she could have a different mental illness that xanax isn't treating. Kind of like putting a band aid on a broken arm. Do a search about mental illness. There are lots of websites that show the signs and symptoms of different mental illnesses.

Answer 4

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 5

Xanax is an addicting drug
in fact it is a used as a tranquilizer as well as allot more other medical uses they only really prescribe that to sever cases of anxiety i would seek a second opinion and a different possibility of drugs

Answer 6

When taken properly, Xanax is a great drug for anxiety. Most doctors will not let you stay on Xanax forever, they will change it or whatever. Make sure you have a good doctor who really care about you, and ask your doctor these questions.

Answer 7

I have suffered from severe anxiety disorder for about 20 years now. It is horrible at times and very hard to live with. I have tried sooo many meds for this. Antidepressants, beta blockers, tranquilizers, you name it. About a year ago my doctor prescribed Xanax to me and it has worked wonders for my anxiety! It's the only medicine that has ever really worked and made the anxiety go away. Just like you I take it only as needed, and as little as possible. Sometimes I break my pills in half too. I was very concerned about it at first. Scared to death of becoming addicted. I only take them when I just absolutely have to. I have even went without taking them at first because of my addiction fear. I have came to a conclusion now though. I am going to keep taking them no matter what. Who even cares if I get addicted. My quality of life is horrible without them. The anxiety makes me so miserable that I cant even stand to get out of bed. People who have other medical problems HAVE to take their meds or they could possibly die. Heart patients, diabetics, etc. The fact is we have a condition too that requires medication. I am going to take it and not worry about it. This is just something to think about...

Good luck to you.

Answer 8

Yes, xanex is very addictive, especially if you say you like the relaxed state it puts you in. I used to also have a xanex prescription and became unbelievably addicted. I also liked the way they made me feel. It got to where I needed them even if I wasn't having a panic attact. I just took it "just in case." They ruined a big part of my life, I got fired from my job, almost lost my kids. I have a very addictive personality though. If you can tell yourself no then you probably have nothing to worry about. Whatever helps the problem is good for you, right?

Answer 9

If it works well the way you are taking it, then take it that way...but you are right to be concerned with becoming addicted...my exH was addicted to it until he got help from a psychiatrist who changed his meds...my ex was really bad, he would have two different doctors write him a script, which he would fill at two different pharmacies and only use insurance for one, as well as driving up to his father's house any time, day or night to get his father's filled prescriptions as well...actually, I personally think, his father only filled them so his son could have them...

If you are concerned with how you are taking it, it is actually better to ask your doctor than to ask any of us here!

Good luck either way!

Answer 10

I love em