How addictive is xanax?

[DI_Dozer]

My doctor perscribed me xanax for when I have trouble with anxiety to help me sleep. I am also takin paxil right now but I just started it yesturday. I was just wondering how addictive xanax are because I heard the withdrawals are very bad. I am only perscribed 20pills at .5mg each with no refills. Should I try other methods to try to sleep or is this not enough to get hooked.

[sadinmichigan]

ditto to all the above..i currently take xanax and have been in the e.r. because of it..

[lilyput]

xanax is very, very addictive, and very very difficult to discontinue once you are addicted.  you become physically dependent on it very fast, and will have a seizure if you try to go cold turkey.

there are natural sleep cures that work just as well if not better. go to a health food store and get a sleep remedy with ingredients such as GABA, passion fruit, valerian root, etc...

trust me...you don't want to go down the xanax route. it should be a last resort, and maybe not even then.

[DI_Dozer]

Thanks, I dont want to risk getting hooked and then having to go through withdrawals. The reason all of this started is I quit smokin cigarettes after 10years and I am thrilled but I also gained anxiety.

[Dieing2Live]

xanax are very addictive and dangerous. you can not quit cold turkey because there are risks of seizures when you do this. you must taper with doctor supervision. i recomend asking for a safer alternative. im not sure if 20 is enough to get hooked but i wouldnt really be willing to find out ya know? i recomend going to the addiction: substance abuse forum.  in the paragraph under the heading addiction:social community there is a link at the end of the paragraph in blue it says substance abuse addiction community, click that and post the question on that side