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 ?????

[Doris102]

I need help... Is there another way to fight depression without taking more drugs???
I have stopped taking my anti depressants, i dont like the side effects.they are awful.
than kyou for any information.

Doris

[Moosiegirl]

Hi,

I am so sorry you lost your husband and that you are dependent on Xanax. Ouch! I lost my Dad, and I became dependent on Ativan, and I couldn't get off it by tapering, and I wound up in cold turkey detox. Never even try that! What you really need to do is go to the website, benzo.org.uk and download a copy of the Ashton Manual. It will tell you to switch to Valium, the longest-acting benzo and to taper off it very slowly. I have Graves' disease, and I became accidentally addicted to Ativan, and now I am in the midst of a slow taper. It is really quite horrendous, but at least I can taper off that drug, whereas, with the Ativan, this was impossible for me. Considering switching to Valium, but first find a benzo-wise doctor in your area.

MoosieGirl

[sadinmichigan]

i just have been thinking about you..I really hope you find a competant Dr. who understands the nature of this drug..I know how bad xanax w/d is and I had no idea that they were addicting when I first started taking them..not until I decided to flush them..I was in the e.r by the next day unable to breath thinking I was having a heart attack..I didn't even think to tell them in the e.r that I had flushed them until hours later..as soon as I said that..the dr gave me ativan in my i.v and i was fine pretty much right away..He looked at me and said ..You are addicted to xanax and don't ever do that again. I did wean down very very slowly and felt little discomfort. I know everybodys experiences are different. I agree how horrid they are to w/d from IF you do not go slow..for you as I said before might mean 1/2 of a1/2 of a 1/2..you know what I'm saying..it could literally mean a crumb..I eventually had got to the point where I forgot to even take them and I was just done..(from 7mg.day-for 1 1/2 yrs) but total I guess it has been longer than I thought..6 yrs or so..You can do this but I believe you are going to need help.  I am so glad you are posting...we are all here for you..xo your friend..Lisa

[toomanytimes]

I love to hear when a person has a great dr like it sounds like you had to help you get off the xanax-too often they are not so helpful getting off as they were getting you started.  Also hats off to you for sticking to that taper plan for so long, thats awesome!  And also great example that it CAN be Done!

[Needhelp59]

You can do this.  My marriage is fine; however I have to admit that if my husband had not made the effort and gone to the doctor to discuss my abuse, I would most likely still be using them.  It was tough, but you can do it.  If I can make it, anyone can.  Stay on here for support - the people are great!!

[Doris102]

hi there, i am so glad to hear from you,this is a great site,glad i found it.
i am so sorry about your marriage,that hurts big time.
i am so glad your off of this drug xanax,is hell to know your addicted to a drug.never thought i would be one of them.
thank you for your kind words,i need that.  im going to see what i can do to
get off this drug.
many thanks
God Bless