Xanax withdrawal?

Question

I take Xanax 1.5-2MG three or four times a week for bad anxiety. SSRIs and therapy have been, to put it frankly, garbage. I don't take it every day because I don't want to become too dependent. It is nice to know I can have some relief every now and then. Point of the question: Will this regiment cause more anxiety on the days I don't take it? I've heard of "rebound anxiety" but is 3-4 days a week enough to cause that?

Answer 1

As a psychologist, I can tell you that Xanax is the worst of the worst. I'm in medical school to become a psychiatrist, and I've learned that you are never, ever to perscribe Xanax unless the person is a danger to themselves or others. It's only for serious circumstances. Xanax used to be the "wonder pill" for anxiety, however it is now known to cause issues in a great number of patients. Xanax, specifically, is worse than other benzodiazepines, because Xanax causes intense euphoric feelings. These euphoric feelings cause a high resk for addiction, abuse, and dependency. That's why Xanax is so dangerous. You should not take benzodiapines regularly. You should only take them when you are feeling anxious or nervous, like you may have an attack. Otherwise you risk becoming so dependent on them that you have attacks without the benzodiapines. Check with your psychiatrist (I hope you are seeing a psychiatrist, and not getting these medications from a general practitioner doctor because GPs don't know anything about psychiatric disorders) to see if Xanax, specifically, is necessary. Xanax is a very harsh benzo and you shouldn't take it unless you're dangerous. If you need the Xanax, only take it when you're feeling an attack. Otherwise, addiction, abuse, and dependency can arise.

Answer 2

At that dosing, I don't believe it's possible to give a blanket answer. While rebound anxiety is possible, since you're not a daily user, it's entirely possible that your anxiety on the off days is low enough not to be any more noticeable than had you not taken the Xanax.

The problem with benzodiazepines is that they become less useful over time. And if you are going to take Xanax, which is designed primarily for acute anxiety, you're more likely to experience this increased drug tolerance. Ask your doctor about whether you should take Klonapin, which is longer acting and supposedly less habit forming.

I also encourage you to consider taking a meditation class. You can train your brain to provide for you the same effects as the benzos, but it will require daily practice for up to several weeks before you can see the benefit. And your body would probably benefit with lowered blood-pressure, better sleep, and more alertness than is usually possible on the benzos.

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Answer 3

Yes it is enough to cause more anxiety on other days. In my opinion Xanax is the garbage. It just temporarily masks your symptoms, like having a drink. If you have to use something other than an SSRI, and you do not need it daily, then try Klonopin, it is longer acting and your body gets rid of it more slowly, so it would cause less withdrowal, and less anxiety on the times you are not taking it.