xanax addiction

is xanax going to eventually gonna kill me if i take it everyday ?

[Jizi]

Well I wouldn't say kill you but definitly highly addictive, My aunt has been taking xanax for over 10 years, but she has really bad anxiety and panic attacks. She can't go a day without them, can't even go to sleep without them.

[nursegirl6572]

HI There...

One, it will definitely not kill you (unless you take the whole bottle at once, which of course is a totally different topic).

How much (dose?) are you taking and how frequently?  How long have you been on it?

If it is something you need long term (as in more than a few weeks), there are definitely better benzo options out there.  For short term use, while you are getting used to an anti-depressant type med....it would be fine...just remember not to stop it (or any med really) suddenly.  You would need to be tapered off of it.

Hope that helps a bit.

[xanweaner]

That is a good question for your treating physician....
I'm not aware of xanax "killing" anyone, but I'm sure all health factors would have to be considered. How long have you been taking it and how much do you take daily?
Are you interested in getting off of it or switching over to something else for your anxiety?

Hope you find the answers that you're looking for...
xan♫

[dmbfan07cb]

seems like if you took it for... Lets say 50 years, you would have had to increase the dosage so much that it may infact kill you.  As far as I know the body builds a tolerance to xanax.  You would need to add more and more over the years to get the desired effect and eventually I guess it COULD build up to toxic levels.  

But all in all i'd talk with my doctor about this, because it seems like your doctor wouldn't want you on this long term.  I'd go with a longer acting benzo.

[cj29]

Many people have to take a benzo like xanax everyday; the REALLY important factor is that you follow your prescription's instructions.  Xanax has a shorter half life than some benzos and, in my opinion, is usually used in short term relief from anxiety.  How long have you been on it and what is your daily dose (2mgs?)?  Xanax can be addicting and your body can build up a tolerance to it, but there are also other benzos that have a longer half life and are indicated for longer use (i.e. Klonopin).  I am not a doctor or a pharmacist, but I would go back to your doctor and express your concerns and ask any questions you have about the drug; I also use my pharmacist as a great resource for questions like this.

Having said that, there is no 'magic pill' that will 'cure' you of this.  Only by learning about your anxiety can you about it and gain the knowledge to defeat it.  I am a big proponent of medication COMBINED with talk therapy with a therapist. I look at medication as a tool to help me along the way.  Furthermore, keep using this forum and post as many questions as you like.  There are so many of us that have been EXACTLY where you were and care deeply about how things turn out.

[dogmansis]

I'd been on 0.25mgs of xanax three times daily for almost ten years (when my bro killed himself).  Finally decided to get off it...not easy!  Haven't slept in almost a week, but no panic/anxiety attacks.  Hopefully tonight I'll get some sleep. At your dosage, don't stop it like I did!