xanax addiction

[Doris102]

I have been on xanax for many years,never thought for a minute i would get addicted.
my panic and anxiety attacts are awful, i cant function without xanax.
the doctors kept me on this drug all this time, i know i have to get help.
i am starting to count my pills now,this is so awful.
last week i was running low,asked my doctor for more,he rufused,the pharmacist
filled it.
the doctor was so incinsitive,told me to cut back.how can i cut back,when my body craves it.
i am now taking 1 mg ,the directions say to take 1 every 6 hours...what a laugh...
i take 1 about every 3 hours. when i get company or have to go to the store.(ETC)
i have to take another one,sometime i take 1\2, but it last only about an hour.
I recently lost my husband of 33 years,I am so heartsick and lonley.its just me and my 2 dogs.
i have 3 grown sons,they dont know how to cope with me.i am also a grandmother of 4.
how did i get myself in this mess???? when i talk on the phone,i get so nervous talking,i have to tell them i have to go.
getting to nervous to talk.I dont know how much longer i have in this world of ours.
but i would like it to be somewhat normal. idont know how to kick this awful addition.
I need HELP NOW !!! I should have done something about this years ago,
I didnt, so now im in limbo and want off this up and down roller coaster im on.
PLEASE !! CAN ANYONE HELP ME ?????

[sadinmichigan]

I am so sorry that you lost your husband..And also that you are in this position with xanax..It's a tiny, but powerful pill..The problem with xanax is it is a short acting drug..That is why you need to take more per day.. You have been on this medication a very long time so I would insist to your Dr. that you need help..You can die from withdrawals or have a stroke,seizures etc..If your Dr. is not taking this serious than you need to find another Dr..I know we talked awhile back and I had suggested slowly tapering but I that was befor I knew how long you had been on this..I really think you are going to need a dr's assistance here to avoid serious medical risks from w/d..You must really try to not take any more than you are because I don;t think it is really helping you anymore..Your tolerance is too great. Have you asked about switching to another type of Benzo? Like klonopin ? Please seek a good Dr. that can help you..I wish I could be of more help. I take xanax also and know how the w/ds go to that..Hopefully someone with more knowledge about some other longer acting benzo's can help..

[louise65]

i dont know that i can help but i can empathise with you, i also suffer from anxiety and depression and also have a an opiate addiction. its hard to cut back when you feel so terrible, i also cant do it. im in the process of trying to reduce my valium intake and have been given seroquel instead for anxiety but honestly some days like today nothing seems to take it away. i try to use meditation and when i do it regularly it helps. maybe speak to your doc about other meds that can be used more long term for anxiety, i hope ive been of some help, but mostly i just wanted you to know you are not alone, louise

[10356]

I I have no advice for you I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in this and that I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your Dear Husband.. Lesa

[malenurse57]

My heart goes out to you for your loss. Concerning your addiction you have some potions contact your regular Dr. and be very straight forward with him or her. Contact a local substance abuse counselor and let them help you to get the help you need  or look into seeing another Dr. but no matter what option you choose honesty is a must. God Bless

[juliewave]

I feel for you.  I had to come of benzos.    You are going to need a doctor that specializes in addiction. Most doctors have no idea of the hell you are going through. Maybe they can put you on a longer acting benzo like valum.  Don't wait around too long.  You don't want to run out of your zanax and end up in the hospital. Go to a 12 step meeting and ask if anyone knows of a good doctor with some knowledge who can work with you.  There is no magic bullet but the slower the tapering the better. I send you my prayers.

[Doris102]

hi hun, just now getting back with you,are you trying to get off xanax?
it is so hard for me to wean myself off of it. i try to take 1/2 pill, doesnt last that long,and then my body,starts to go through all sorts of things.i cant walk straight,confused,
trembling,dizzy,you name it. my body needs it. i dont know if i can do this.
it seems like everydayi have to meet some sort of obligation.if i could just stay at home fora few weeks and try it,maybe it would help. yesterday i had to sell my truck,took 1 xanax before i left the house,tomorow i have to go to the bank and come monday,i have to see the dentist.to many obligations now. and i am getting low on the zanaz.ohhhhhhhhh i start to panic when that happens.
thank you for getting back with me..i need all the help i can get.
tomorrow i will try to get back with all of you out there who are giving me support.

[duckandcover]

The symptoms you are describing are what i read about when my Dr gave me a small script to cope from anxiety from withdrawals.  It scared me to the point that I only take them when it's reeelay bad.

I realize it's hard for you to think clearly but unless one of you kids can come in and help you you really need to see a new doctor who understands your situation or possibly print out some information about xanex withdrawals and make your current doctor read it.  It's amazing how ignorant doctors can be about these drugs the prescribe so casually.  

It really is a dangerous drug to quit cold turkey.  You should find real help with this one.  You may want to see an anxiety specialist.  You are probably at the point where they would do you a world of good.  Hang in there and get it done.  It's really worth it.  you are really worth it.

All my best wishes are yours.

[Doris102]

Hi Louise,
thank you for your support,my doctor subscribed just a few days ago
(celexa)for anxiety. i have only take 2 of them, they made me very sleepy,alittle dizzy.
i hope that they help some. but they dont take the place of xanax.
I HATE THIS XANAX.!!! but i cant do without them yet.my body graves them.
i never thought in my wildest dreams i would ever get addicted to any drug.
i used to think  how in the world can people take drugs.!!!! well guess what
i am now one of those people..it makes me sick. when my doctor started me on them,
my world was upside down for a very long time. now my world is upside down
because of xanax.i hope and pray that i can get off of them,trying to cut down
1/4 at a time.
thank you so much. and good luck to you.i will try the meditation.thank you Louise, as your not alone either hun.

[sadinmichigan]

please go very very slow weaning off them..You have had them for 25 yrs? (if I remember correctly) Honey that is a long time..I still suggest you need a dr. that understands this. It is not impossible but you may even need to go down 1/8 at a time..I don't know if you remember what I told you before, but I really think you should at least try and stick to the dose you have first and then gradually taper off 1/8 of a time if you have too, stay there for several weeks before trying to take more away..Xanax is another one of those horrible w/ds..so please be careful. And your right,, the celexa is not going to replace the xanax..whatever you do...please do not go up on them..It's so easy to take another one when we are stressed out..I am presently taking 1 mg/day..I did however successfully wean off of @6 mg/dy..I went really slow..I was on them for about 3 years when i did that..you can do this..it's just going to take some time..

[toomanytimes]

I can't imagine what you are going through with the loss of your husband and now being worried about this. I'm so sorry. I know that you have to taper off xanax VERY slowly, but you will be able to do it. To me, the single most important thing is that you find a dr that you can talk to and is willing to help you, if you are having so much anxiety i agree with others that say you may need a longer acting med, and i'm sorry but shame on your current dr for not helping you with this sooner.  Please keep posting and use the support of this forum for help. And plz feel free to pm if you need someone one on one to talk to.

[ready2help]

I am sorry to hear of your loss - and I can hear the suffering you are going through with the Xanax. I think you have some serious issues that may warrant professional help. The issues that concern me are:

1. It is very dangerous to detox from Xanax without medical supervision (inpatient would be ideal). I strongly suggest you do not attempt this by yourself. Depending on several factors/variables, it could be miserable at best and fatal at worst. And it takes many days to get through it.

2. Your anxiety and panic attacks sound so consuming that I don't see you as an ideal candidate for home detox - it would be optimal to have this part of it addressed with the detox ("which came first, the chicken or the egg")

3. You would benefit from finding a qualified doctor to help you (do you live in a large city?) - go to a psychiatrist - get a referral from someone you trust - see if you can find one that is an addiction specialist (asam.org) - if all else fails or you just can't get it together = go to any emergency room (this is the last choice because you may sit there forever - and the care may be abrupt - after all, they are busy with all kinds of crises) - but if you get desperate, you always have that option.

Those are my best ideas.

Doris, if you have a knowledgeable, level-headed friend that could help you navigate this, that would be terrific. Perhaps one of your kids? This is the time to reach out and ask for help. Good luck to you - I pray you find the help you need. Know that there are plenty of folks here to talk to until then.

[carliejo]

i just wanted to wrtie and let u know that i was HOOKED on xanaxs,once in my life time ;I REALLY HOOKED,THEY WERE MY LIFE AND SOUL !!!,EVEN HAD MED.PROBLEMS WITH THEM!!!!! DIDINT I COULD DO IT I GOT OFF OF THEM,AMD IT WAS HELLL !!!!!!!!! I DONT WISH THAT ON NOBODY!!!! ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK U 4 EVERYTHING AND HOLD ME !!!!! TO ME COMING OFF XANAXS.WAS HELL!!!! BY RIGHTS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN  THEG TO DIE THAT NIGHT,BUT IT WAS ME TO GO WITH A XANAX HABIT THAT I WAS TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM.ITS WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS I HAVE EVER TRIED TO DO I CALL WHAT I WENT THROUGH IS X -HELL !BUT I DID AND I CAN SAY XANAX FREE!!!!GOOD LUCK IF U EVER NEED SOMEONE I AM HERE

[carliejo]

I FORGOT TO TELL WHEN MY HUSBAND O.D IT WAS XANAXS ANS SOMA,LORCET THAT KILLED HIM AND BY RIGHTS I STILL WONDER TO THIS DAY WHY    AM   I ?????A LIVE CAUSE I DONE ALOT MORE DRUGS THAT HIM WHEN HE DIED!!!!!!!

[Doris102]

Hi Lesa,
i want to thank youfor your response.It means alot to me.
i am trying,but i dont know how much of this i can take.what drugs
are you on or getting over.i hope its getting over  !!!
i never realized what drugs can do to a person.it s awful.
take care hun
Doris

[Doris102]

Hello,
what a wonderful site  that i found,i cant believe the support group
here.it make everthing worthwhile.
you have some very good advice.i knew all along that i should havetried
harder along time ago that i should try to get off of xanax.didnt really
know that it would be so hard,
I thank you for your response,I pray everyday for guidence from God to help
methrough this.
thanking you so much.
Doris

[troubleinohio]

Ive been on xanax for years too. Im on .5 mg and was Rx'd to take up to 3 a day. I usully only take 2 or less a day- i break them in half and take them 4x a day (at .25 a dose). The last month I almost ran out early, i only had one left when refill day came and Ive never had that happen in years. I had used a lot when i was really sick with bronchitiis and asthma-- i was having massive panic attacks due to not being able to breathe, and was popping them ALOT to get through that, so that is why i almost ran out early. normally i have extras each month when refill time comes. But my time is comign soon where my Dr will cut me off. He already dropped my quantity from 90 to 60 the last time. So Im trying very hard to take less each day. So far Im doing well, not having worse panic attacks or anything. Alot of times I would take one as preventive when i wasnt even panicking, KWIM? Id get scared that if i didnt take a dose before i ate, that Id get a panic attack and then the xanax wouldnt work fast enough if i had a bunch of food in my stomach in the way. So ive stopped doing this, not using it as a preventive.  YOu have to start somewhere too. GO to the store without taking an X first. Keep it in your purse at first, in case you do have a panic attack in the store or something, but dont take it before you go. you have to retrain yourself. Also you might want to read some books on panic attacks and taking control of your life again.  I know its hard, but you need to do something. you can PM me anytime if you want to talk more.  Keep us posted on how you do. THis place is awesome.  

[Doris102]

Hi there,
so nice of everyone ,what a great site this is.
I really like your advice.yes i always take a pill before i go anywhere.
i dont like the feeling when they wear off.i never leave home without them.
i have taken more everyday since i lost my wonderful husband.
it has been shear hell.  im alone with my 2 dogs. i cant sleep
or eat,to many sorrowsi have been up since 1:30 this am.
this is why i  am taking more xanax.
my doc put me on a new anti depressent,they make me feel strange.
but i guess i had better do something,the depression is killing me.
i have to look into a drug program.otherwise i am not going to make it.
thank you so much for your concern.
hugs to you.

[Doris102]

Hello there,
than kyou so much for your response,this is a great site.glad i found it.
you are so right ,about doctors be ignorant,i wish that he had never given me more
when i ask him for them.he should have kept me on a low dose.
since i lost my husband ,i have taken more and i am up all hours of the night,cant sleep.
the sorrow is killing me.mysons are all grown adults,have there own lifes plus working,so they cant help me. i wish i had someone to live with me,i wouldnt be so lonley.
my 2 dogs are my comfort.
i am going to try my best with xanax thing,alittle at a time.
thank you soooooooo much for your help.
sending you lots of hugs

[malenurse57]

Just remember you can do this. I have 2 scriptures that have helped me.
1. If God be for who can be against me.
2. I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.

Good Luck and God bless.
"T"

[Doris102]

hi there,
thank you so much and for the invitation to the pm.that means alot to me.
yes it has been hell since i lost my husband.i still cantaccept thought
that he he is gone. im up all hours of the night,cant sleep,or eat.my 2 dogs
are my comfort,thank goodness for them.
my doctor should have never kept me onthis drug for so long.
i cant leave the house without them.i am taking more since i lost my husband.
that is why i am running out to soon. i have to find a drug place to get some help.
this is a great site to come to.am glad i found it.
thanks again for your support.
sending you hugs

[Doris102]

hello ,
thank youso much for the advice,this is a great site to come to forhelp.
those that are going through as me,either they have conqured itor trying.
you cant believe that my so called friends have left me since i lost
my husband.i guess they dont know what to say. it a shame people do that.
i get lonley,my sons cant be with me,as they have there own lifes to lead.
i have taken more xanax since loosing my husband, i never thought in a million
years that i would get hooked on a drug.
i knoweveryone in here is supportive,i thank them for that.
i do need help, because i cant do this alone.i have to find professional
help.I thank you so much for your response.
hugs to you

[Needhelp59]

Hi Doris,

Please talk to your doctor.  I too was on xanax for years.  It got so bad that I almost lost my marriage.  My husband spoke with my doctor and when I went in for a visit he talked to me and set up a taper plan.  It took months, but it worked.  I have been off them now for almost 2 years.  I took lexapro for a short time afterwards, but now I am on nothing.  PLEASE do not give up.  It is doable and with guidance you can come off with minimal withdrawal.  The dosage I was on was lowered like 1/8 mg. every few weeks.  Feel free to PM me if I can be of help.  God bless.

[Doris102]

Hello,
i am so glad to find this site.so many wonderful people here.
I am also so sorry about your husband.i know that i am not the same
since i lost my wonderful husband. i cant seem to accept it yet.i hear that it
takes time....for me its going to take alot of that.
I can feel your pain, my heart goes out to you.we have to just hang in there
together,and do the best we can.
please take care hun

[Doris102]

hi there,
yes,this place is awesome,thank you so much .i am so glad your off the pills.
you had a good doctor.i am taking alot more than you did, sorry to say,you were taking 1/2 of what i take. i only wish that i was taking that little.
i need another way out of this mess,get a new doctor,or counseling or something.
i have to look into that.
thank you for welcoming me here. that means alot to me. i have been under so much stress.
take care and many hugs