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1539379 tn?1294332115

Anxious About Xanax

I'll be honest...I have a serious love/hate relationship with xanax.  On the bright side, it alleviates all of my symptoms, and puts me at ease...back to my good old self.  I sleep for 10 hours, uninterrupted at a time.  On the dark side, I'm daily fighting the urge to pop a pill to make all my troubles go away - which just adds to my anxiety.  So what's a guy to do?  Be anxious all day, sometimes to the urge of a panic attack, but be xanax free?  -Or- pop a xanax whenever I feel anxious and risk developing benzo dependence?

How do you guys look at taking medications to alleviate your symptoms?
7 Responses
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Avatar universal
Ok. I know how you feel. I am prescribed klonopin and there is no way im addicted to it because I am scared to take it. I only give in and take it when I feel like I might faint or something from the anxiety. I see your dilema..... If I take it during the day I will have no anxiety and then ill be happy and back to my old self but if I become addicted that would be bad as well. there has got to be a natural way to calm down! Let me know how your appt goes.
Helpful - 0
1552748 tn?1294211776
I am glad You have an appointment let us know how it goes
Helpful - 0
1492418 tn?1289149263
i have only had short spurts of time where i used it regular otherwise i get 20 a year and don't even use those up. I hate anxiety soooo bad but i figure i have to learn the tools to get myself thru them eventually so why also get in the position to have to detox as well. No thank you. I actually get crap for not using them enough but after reading on this forum for awhile i am glad i keep them at a minimum for the very worst of the worst times, that way i know they will work to and will not become habituated
Helpful - 0
1539379 tn?1294332115
Well...that certainly is frightening...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you're fighting the urge to take Xanax a lot of the time then there is a very good chance that you are becoming addicted to it and it's very easy to become addicted to. I have been on it for over 2 years now and while I only take it when I absolutely need to now, I used to pop them all the time because they do make you feel good but I regret it and regret allowing my Doctor to play with my meds and dosages, that also had to do with me becoming addicted. I still have to take it to keep withdrawals away and I'm going to have to go into rehab to get off of it safely. If I were you I would tell my Doctor how I was feeling and ask them what you should do because believe me you don't want to be addicted to it!!! It doesn't even help my anxiety anymore, like I said I just take it to keep the withdrawals away. It's the worst drug I've ever been on.
Helpful - 0
1539379 tn?1294332115
I've suffered through addictions in the past (gambling)...I don't think it's related to an addiction.  I'm just tired of feeling wound up like a spring all the time from the anxiety, and the xanax provides a quick and easy way out.  The reason I'm fighting not to take it, and choose to just suffer through almost every night is that I don't want to become dependent or suffer the withdrawl symptoms when coming off of it.

I've only taken 1 - 1mg xanax since christmas, and before that, had only taken it as needed since november 20th (which was probably about 15 pills)

I've got an appt to see a psy. for the first time in my life this coming wednesday at 8am...with all the trouble I've been having sleeping lately...heading in that early should be fun (not!)
Helpful - 0
1552748 tn?1294211776
Xanax is an extremely addictive medication if You are struggling to fight the urge to use one now perhaps it is time to see a doctor as it will only go worse or perhaps try posting in the addiction forum
Helpful - 0
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