Xanax addiciton?

Question

I think I may be addicted to Xanax. I have been taking xanax for 3 years straight now . I was prescribed a high dosage of 6 mg a day for the first 6 months and I am now taking 3-4 mg a day. everytime I stop taking it even for a few hours I feel panic like. this really scares me and my brother has phsycosis. I am afraid I will get this. I like the way I feel when I take xanax, like I am safe but I dont think this is very good for me. could someone please help?

Answer 1

You didn't state the reason for your Xanax prescription. Long term Panic Disorder is a justifiable reason for taking a benzo, perhaps indefinitely, if it is the only way to control the symptoms. Xanax is one of the shorter-acting tranquilizers. You need to switch to one that stays in the system at least 24 hours (such as Klonipin or Valium). This way you could take only one tablet per day and not experience withdrawal. If you are trying to get off of them altogether, you must do this under the supervision of a doctor familiar with tapering. It must be done very slowly, over a period of months with very gradual dose reductions. If you go cold turkey, you will have an ungodly withdrawal syndrome which can possibly cause seizures.

Answer 2

I am on a low dose now of Xanax. Only .5 mg a day. I started off 0n 2 mg a day about 18 years ago. Everytime I have tried to come off them completely, I have become extremely ill- losing about 7 pounds a week, not being able to eat or function at all. I am pretty sure at the high dose you are on your withdrawal symptoms would be the same if not worse. You should wean yourself off this drug with a doctor/rehab facility's help. To stop cold turkey could bring about a very unfavorable outcome.

Answer 3

You can get psychosis from an abrupt or over rapid withdrawal from xanax however if you cut the dose down very very gradually over a period of many months then you will not experience psychosis, seizures or the severe panic and anxiety withdrawal effects. There is a really good support group online with several people who are trying to come off of xanax. The support forum address is http://www.non-benzodiazepines.org.uk

Also it is often recommended that people cross over to a more long acting benzodiazepine such as diazepam. Short acting benzodiazepines like xanax have more severe withdrawal effects.

Answer 4

I dont know about phychosis, but I do know that if you stop taking the Xanax after taking that amount for so long you will have seizures. I have seen this happen before. It will happen about three days after quitting.
You are going to have to go to your dr and ask for help getting off of this and onto a not so harsh benzo. It will take a long wean off process, but in the end it will be well worth it.
Xanax is a short acting benzo. Others such as klonopin will stay in your system for much longer without dropping you with the immediate panic symptoms and possible rage fits.
Wish you luck!

Answer 5

i was addicted to xanax, biggest mistake in my life ... used to take 10 pills (1.5mg/pill) a day.. but now I'm OK, i stopped taking it without help. you shouldn't stop taking it at once. like now you are having 3-4mg/day.. try making it 3mg/day and take it at a specific time, like if you take it in the morning, choose a time like 9:00 am, if twice a day, 9 am and 9 pm.. stick with the plan. DO NOT INCREASE THE DOSE!!! if you feel the panic coming, make your best to fight or resist it.. this is your body asking for more. DO NOT SURRENDER.. stick with the 3mg/day dose for like a month..then decrease it to 2.5mg, same plan.. until the dose is very little, by then you will feel that you're healthy.. physical exercise helps a lot while doing this, try to keep yourself busy and don't allow yourself to think about it..
if you can't do it, don't give up. seek professional help..
PLEEEEASE DO NOT GIVE UP. IT WILL BE VERY HARD BUT IF I CAN DO IT, ANYONE CAN.. asking someone to keep you company, specially when you feel that you are panicking, helps a lot..
u can contact me whenever you want if you need help..
GOOD LUCK..

Answer 6

I'm surprised you can even get a prescription for that long - my doctor wouldn't because it's so addictive. Coming off of Xanax shouldn't give you a psychotic break, but go talk to a psychiatrist and talk there. He or she can help you to beat the addiction and give you an alternative way of coping.

Answer 7

Okay, I was prescribed xanax for 18 years, yes 18 years. And it was very hard me to get off of them. To long of a story to get into on here. But, they are good for those who have high anxiety and panic attacks. The with drawl symptoms suck, but you can get off of them and it will take a while for you to feel - the so called normal again. Good Luck.

Answer 8

i think meds are made to allow you to function normally,hold down a job comunicate with people, sort out your thoughts feel good instead of bad. if you think you can enjoy life without xanax i think you should taper off and eventually stop using it all together. but i don't understand why people try to get off something when there has to be a reason why they were prescribed it in the first place. not having to take meds for anything would be great for all of us, but i just figure they were made for a reason and if you need them than you just have to take them,but you should use the lowest effective dose and not abuse them

Answer 9

If you are addicted to Xanax and want to withdraw, you can do this by signing yourself into a rehab for drugs and alcohol. If you don't know how to go about this, contact your local crisis hot line, or talk to your doctor.

Answer 10

Well, my grandmother's doctor told her she wanted her addicted to xanax...lol....well she wanted her to be calm. The doctor told her that as long as she is calm, it is ok. However, if I were you, I would talk to the doctor about it. Tell them what's going on, and your doctor will do what he thinks is best.