question about xanax

[erin626]

Usually I take .25mg of xanax as needed to help control my panic attacks. That was normally 3-4 times a week at most. This past week has been incredibly stressful..I just moved and had to travel for family and worked 2 double shifts this weekend. So I've taken my xanax for the past 4 days. Can I get addicted from that?

I became addicted to xanax and experienced horrible withdrawals but I was taking 1.5mg a day for a couple months. I'm so scared to have that happen again but my doc doesn't seem to think that it will happen again at .25mg. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

[RubyWitch]

Erin,
You wrote..............." But having to drive 4 hours on the interstate on tues and wed caused me a lot of anxiety and I was scared of getting a panic attack while driving so I took them then."

That is what is known as "anticipatory anxiety." The fear of having a panic attack. It is one of the major criteria they look at when diagnosing someone with an anxiety disorder.

You were anxious about driving on the freeway and afraid you'd have a panic attack, so you took the extra Xanax. This can often turn into a slippery slope. Next week, you might be stressed about last minute Christmas shopping and overcrowed malls, so you begin to think "what if I have a panic attack there?" So you take another Xanax. Then you get anxious about the Christmas party and down goes another Xanax..............often you're thinking then includes just about every situation, it becomes very easy to think "I'll just take a Xanax and then I won't have to worry about a panic attack." By this time, you're taking way too many Xanax.
I think you should talk with your doctor about going on a long term benzo such as Klonopin which will cover you for a full 24 hours and stops the anticpatory type thinking.  
My way is not the right way or the only way...........it's simply an option. I just don't want to see you get into the Xanax "tar pit."
I wish you the best
Peace
Greenlydia  

[erin626]

I'm currently in therapy. They have me on xanax for my really bad panic attacks. Taking 4 xanax a week is my absolute most. I normally am at 3. And I generally take them at work. But having to drive 4 hours on the interstate on tues and wed caused me a lot of anxiety and I was scared of getting a panic attack while driving so I took them then. That's pretty much what threw my week off and caused me to take more than usual.

[RubyWitch]

No, you won't get "addicted" from upping your dose for those 4 days, but stop taking that extra dose NOW. It is very easy to let meds like Xanax become crutches for all the stuff life throws at us. I understand all too well that sometimes we absolutely need the extra help, but you saw for yourself what happened before.
Try to keep your dose of Xanax at a bare minimum and use it only when the anxiety or panic become unbearable. Xanax used on a PRN (as needed basis) can be used for years, but 3-4X per week is edging up there. If you begin to go above 4X a week, I'd speak with your doctor about getting onto a long term benzo like Klonopin, but before that I'd try some therapy to deal with WHY you have anxiety. Benzos will help with the symptoms, but they won't fix the problem.
Peace
Greenlydia    

[Rich99]

While .25 is not that heavy,  you certainly can sense some withdraw even when that small dose begins to wear off.    You're asking for opinions from members here so I'll give you mine.  You've already experienced how addicting the heavier dose was and how tough it was to wean off of that.    I would not only resist any higher doses but would also begin to use the .25 less and less frequently until you are completely off of it.    Learn to react differently to life's challenges.