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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mdertinger on February 21, 2002, at 15:02:02
What is the harm in being addicted to Xanex?
Can taking Xanex regularly for years do harm to your body?How often can I take Xanex without becoming addicted? Recently, I've been taking .5 mg every night to help me sleep.
Posted by jay on February 21, 2002, at 15:37:46
In reply to Is Addiction to Xanex really harmful?, posted by mdertinger on February 21, 2002, at 15:02:02
> What is the harm in being addicted to Xanex?
> Can taking Xanex regularly for years do harm to your body?
>
> How often can I take Xanex without becoming addicted? Recently, I've been taking .5 mg every night to help me sleep.Xanax is a safe, excellent medication when used properly. In fact, it is probably the safest psychiatric medication out there. In fact, it's "withdrawl" is likely safer than even the antidepressants like "Paxil". There is *no* evidence it does any harm to you, and you will get people on here trying to scare you with a bunch of mis-information and lies about things they have *no* proof about.
Stick with it, try to work on some stress reduction, and you will be surprised how well you end up.
Best wishes..
Jay
Posted by IsoM on February 21, 2002, at 16:11:47
In reply to Is Addiction to Xanex really harmful?, posted by mdertinger on February 21, 2002, at 15:02:02
I agree with Jay. I think the only harm with an "addiction" like you mention is if you find that you need increasingly larger & larger doses indicating that you've built up tolerance to it. Your use of Xanax doesn't even begin to raise an issue of abuse of it.
I took Xanax for three years every day when it first came out. One in the morning & another in the afternoon. I, myself, nobody suggesting or pushing me, decided to lower the dose & then eventually to stop all together. I felt that it had trained me to feel calmer & not jump out of my skin so often. I never felt any problems with it, either during its use or afterwards.
Posted by christophrejmc on February 21, 2002, at 17:31:20
In reply to Is Addiction to Xanex really harmful?, posted by mdertinger on February 21, 2002, at 15:02:02
> What is the harm in being addicted to Xanex?
> Can taking Xanex regularly for years do harm to your body?I'm uncomfortable saying "no," as anything is possible when taking any medication, but it is highly unlikely.
> How often can I take Xanex without becoming addicted?
It depends, I don't think most people become addicted, but if you take a lot (.5mg nightly is a relatively small dose), there's the possibility that you will have rebound insomnia or anxiety upon withdrawl.
> Recently, I've been taking .5 mg every night to help me sleep.
Most people develop tolerance to the sedating effects of benzodiazepines within a few weeks of daily use. If your main problem is insomnia, you might try other medications like Ambien, Sonata, or low doses of the antidepressant Desyrel (trazodone) if and when Xanax loses its effect, or if you are experiencing side-effects.
-Chris
Posted by Alan on February 21, 2002, at 17:39:58
In reply to Is Addiction to Xanex really harmful?, posted by mdertinger on February 21, 2002, at 15:02:02
> What is the harm in being addicted to Xanex?
> Can taking Xanex regularly for years do harm to your body?
>
> How often can I take Xanex without becoming addicted? Recently, I've been taking .5 mg every night to help me sleep.
*******************************************Please read:
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
You are misinformed. The medical term is not "addiction" but "medical dependence". This is an excellent article and the book from which it draws is tops in its field.
Alan
Posted by gilbert on February 22, 2002, at 10:35:08
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex really harmful?, posted by Alan on February 21, 2002, at 17:39:58
I have relied on xanax for years and it has worked however I have had to increase my dosage....and I became very dependent or addicted the words really don't matter if you can't go without the med for 8 hours at a time then your in trouble. I am and have always been very pro benzo use because xanax literally gave me my life back. I am now in the process of going off xanax and very slowly and some days are pure hell. Keep in mind I have detoxed from alcohol 3 times and cocaine abuse twice and xanax has been the hardest by far to stay away from while reducing. I have always respected and loved Alans posts but would have to say that everyone reacts differently...being on the drug is no problem going off is another issue completely. Also xanax interferes with deep sleep or r.e.m. cycle so after years of use you actually screw up your sleep patterns. I slept like a baby for two years on xanax...the third year my sleep became very errratic. I also would best describe my long term benzo use as being quite dissonnected over a long period of time. I no longer had any spiritual feelings and was unable to produce any....for some this may not be a problem but for me working a 12 step program was a huge detriment. I became personlly disonnected from family and friends and had a almost too casual approach to situations that required true feelings or emotions. This is of course just my experience many many many have not had this and are quite happy on benzos. The long term dulling effect on my life also put me into my first real depresssion. Panic sucks, benzos work, sometimes they stop working and they are like all drugs side effects do occur with every drug nothing is harmless. Proceed with caution if you nedd img to sleep in 6 months than if you need 2 mg in 2 years and by year 3 if you need 4 mg.....than you will be in the position I am in. The panics are worse now coming off xanax than prior to going on xanax so use it wisely. If you can maintain the same dosage over a long period than go for it. I on the other hand once again proved to myself that almost any mood altering drug no matter how helpfull becomes aproblem for me.
Gil
Posted by kid_A on February 22, 2002, at 12:31:10
In reply to Is Addiction to Xanex really harmful?, posted by mdertinger on February 21, 2002, at 15:02:02
First off, like everyone else says, everyone is different so your mileage may vary...You can develop both physical and psychological dependence to Xanax, but again this all depends on the person. If you have a history of drug abuse that mentality may carry over to your use of Xanax...
When you eventually (and you will) detox off of Xanax there are plenty of recipies to do this, typically involving switching to a longer acting benzo like Klonopin...
Xanax dependence is generally factored not so much by the ammount you take but rather for how long you take it...
I wouldn't stress it, when you feel like youd like to come off it, you should have no problems as long as you taper w/ a longer acting benzo, and you don't rush the process...
Posted by mdertinger on February 22, 2002, at 12:54:11
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? yes, posted by gilbert on February 22, 2002, at 10:35:08
Thanks to all of you that replied. I think I may try and find a more permanent solutions to my sleep problem, other than Xanex everynight. Also, I'm pretty sure I was prescribed .5 mg not 5 mg (the bottle is at home, I'm at work). I do not suffer from a panic disorder. I've suffered from severe depression (when I'm not on meds)for 7 years. I started taking Xanex after I gave birth to my second baby and had stopped all antidepressants while I was pregnant. I got MAJOR post partum depression. I didn't want to drown my baby, but I was experiencing severe anxiety and depression at the same time. My OB gave me the script for Xanex. Once my Prozac kicked in, I felt much better, but still suffered occasionally from some anxiety, so my pdoc was fine with prescribing me more Xanex to use "as needed".
This new sleep problem seems linked to the start of Wellbutrin. I think I may try the one guys suggestion and take the Wellbrutin at night, since it doesn't reach full efficacy for 6 hours. I definitly feel more buzzed in the afternoon than in the morning when I take the pill.
I do like the way I sleep on Xanex. My body feels very relaxed...I sleep wonderfully and wake up refreshed. I guess I just need to watch whether I become tolerant to the drug and require more to feel the effects.
Posted by Alan on February 22, 2002, at 14:36:18
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? thank you, posted by mdertinger on February 22, 2002, at 12:54:11
> Thanks to all of you that replied. I think I may try and find a more permanent solutions to my sleep problem, other than Xanex everynight. Also, I'm pretty sure I was prescribed .5 mg not 5 mg (the bottle is at home, I'm at work). I do not suffer from a panic disorder. I've suffered from severe depression (when I'm not on meds)for 7 years. I started taking Xanex after I gave birth to my second baby and had stopped all antidepressants while I was pregnant. I got MAJOR post partum depression. I didn't want to drown my baby, but I was experiencing severe anxiety and depression at the same time. My OB gave me the script for Xanex. Once my Prozac kicked in, I felt much better, but still suffered occasionally from some anxiety, so my pdoc was fine with prescribing me more Xanex to use "as needed".
>
> This new sleep problem seems linked to the start of Wellbutrin. I think I may try the one guys suggestion and take the Wellbrutin at night, since it doesn't reach full efficacy for 6 hours. I definitly feel more buzzed in the afternoon than in the morning when I take the pill.
>
> I do like the way I sleep on Xanex. My body feels very relaxed...I sleep wonderfully and wake up refreshed. I guess I just need to watch whether I become tolerant to the drug and require more to feel the effects.
****************************************
That's why xanax was not designed for sleep disturbances. It's a result of depression as you describe it now. But it is used as a foil to the sometimes overstimulating effects of Wellbutrin. Perhaps an AD would solve both problems?Alan
Posted by kid_A on February 22, 2002, at 15:10:42
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? thank you » mdertinger, posted by Alan on February 22, 2002, at 14:36:18
> Perhaps an AD would solve both problems?
>I'd recomend Remeron, it will make you sleep, and is a AD as a bonus... You'll need a few weeks to get used to the drowsiness in the morning but overall it works great for sleep... I dont recomend Ambien for long term sleep problems, Remeron is a safer bet...
I think its a pretty common thought that sleep disturbance is linked to depression so might as well go at it from that angle...
Posted by mdertinger on February 22, 2002, at 15:20:12
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? thank you, posted by kid_A on February 22, 2002, at 15:10:42
I tried Remeron first. I gained 20 lbs. No joke, I felt like I was hungry all the time. As soon as I stopped Remeron, the weight came off.
I then tried Serzone, but it made me too sleepy and I couldn't concentrate during the day, even with one small dose at night.I may ask my pdoc about trazedone, but I'm leary about taking a 3rd AD. My sex drive is already in the toilet because of Prozac.
What I really want to do is buy an Elliptical machine and exercise in the evening. I really think that would de-stress me. But alas, I work full time and have a 2 year and 6 month old kids, so squeezing in exercise is hard.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Posted by gilbert on February 22, 2002, at 17:07:49
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? no remeron, posted by mdertinger on February 22, 2002, at 15:20:12
I know the conventional wisdom would have me switch from xanax to klonopin to do the taper but the results were awfull. The longer acting klonopin not only gave me worse withdrawal than coming slow off xanax I had more severe persisitent anxiety at a taper of .25mg per week.off of a 4mg dose. I have been on benzos for 3 years and I think that long of time makes this withdrawal process even worse. But even still I would not change a thing this is the price I am paying for 2 wonderfull years of no panic, no anxiety etc. I am just bummed it's over. Oh by the way my mom is coming off valium....very long acting and she is worse off than I am.....so as usual every ones's mileage varies.
Gil
Posted by Alan on February 22, 2002, at 23:08:56
In reply to Re: tapering xanax, posted by gilbert on February 22, 2002, at 17:07:49
> I know the conventional wisdom would have me switch from xanax to klonopin to do the taper but the results were awfull. The longer acting klonopin not only gave me worse withdrawal than coming slow off xanax I had more severe persisitent anxiety at a taper of .25mg per week.off of a 4mg dose. I have been on benzos for 3 years and I think that long of time makes this withdrawal process even worse. But even still I would not change a thing this is the price I am paying for 2 wonderfull years of no panic, no anxiety etc. I am just bummed it's over. Oh by the way my mom is coming off valium....very long acting and she is worse off than I am.....so as usual every ones's mileage varies.
>
> Gil
*********************************************
If it's working, why's everyone in the family stopping? Anxiety is a chronic condiditon.Alan
Posted by gilbert on February 23, 2002, at 0:24:15
In reply to Re: tapering xanax » gilbert, posted by Alan on February 22, 2002, at 23:08:56
Alan,
All of a sudden this winter out of knowhere my xanax stopped being effective. I was on 2mg per day for 2 years then bam....4mg didn't work and 5 mg didn't work and I got paridoxical effects from the higher doses. The klonopin did the same thing....maybe because I was a practicing alcoholic for so long but I have been sober 16 years. Thank god for the beta blockers to help soften the blow. My mom also was needing more and more valium to the point she was not getting up off the couch and she was having severe panic and depression even on 40mg of valium. Her meds stopped working after 3 years. Must be some weird genetic quirk. I wish it were not true because the panic I have is definitely gabba related. All the drugs and antidepressants make my panic worse and don't give near the results that the benzos do. I am going to try neurontin as a last ditch effort. My case is definitewly not thr norm...I still believe benzos to be the most effective of all the monotherapies for panic my clock just ran out on their effectiveness.
Gil
Posted by kid_A on February 23, 2002, at 3:09:52
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? no remeron, posted by mdertinger on February 22, 2002, at 15:20:12
> I tried Remeron first. I gained 20 lbs. No joke
when i was on remeron i never gained weight, but i couldnt stand the somnolence in the morning so i quit it... i am on (amoung other things) zyprexa now, and i have ganed 25 pounds... i needed to though i was pretty thin before... when i take a zyprexa and an ambien at night i sleep like a baby...
Posted by Joy on February 23, 2002, at 7:40:48
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? thank you, posted by mdertinger on February 22, 2002, at 12:54:11
Hi. I take exactly what you do; Prozac and Xanax .5 at night [Prozac does cause insomnia for many]. I also take a small dose of Trazodone with the Xanax [50 mgs Traz]. I've skipped a few nights with absolutely no problems, though I did not stay asleep as long. There's nothing wrong with .5 Xanax at night. I tried twice that dose and was on that for a while, but I dosed down with no problems at all. Occasionally
if I get very anxious [very seldom] I take a dose it in the datime. I feel this is Xanax 'as needed' as my pdoc advised. I know someone on Xanax for years; then they did not take it a year or two cause they didn't need it. When anxiety attacks came back, they went on it again [no big deal]. I would not change too quickly as long as you and your doc are okay with it.
Joy> Thanks to all of you that replied. I think I may try and find a more permanent solutions to my sleep problem, other than Xanex everynight. Also, I'm pretty sure I was prescribed .5 mg not 5 mg (the bottle is at home, I'm at work). I do not suffer from a panic disorder. I've suffered from severe depression (when I'm not on meds)for 7 years. I started taking Xanex after I gave birth to my second baby and had stopped all antidepressants while I was pregnant. I got MAJOR post partum depression. I didn't want to drown my baby, but I was experiencing severe anxiety and depression at the same time. My OB gave me the script for Xanex. Once my Prozac kicked in, I felt much better, but still suffered occasionally from some anxiety, so my pdoc was fine with prescribing me more Xanex to use "as needed".
>
> This new sleep problem seems linked to the start of Wellbutrin. I think I may try the one guys suggestion and take the Wellbrutin at night, since it doesn't reach full efficacy for 6 hours. I definitly feel more buzzed in the afternoon than in the morning when I take the pill.
>
> I do like the way I sleep on Xanex. My body feels very relaxed...I sleep wonderfully and wake up refreshed. I guess I just need to watch whether I become tolerant to the drug and require more to feel the effects.
Posted by mdertinger on February 23, 2002, at 9:41:46
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? thank you » mdertinger, posted by Joy on February 23, 2002, at 7:40:48
What was the reason your pdoc prescribed Trazedone in addition to the Xanex? Was it to help with sleep, or as a suppliment AD to the Prozac, with the benefit of making you sleepy?
Last night I took my .5 of the Xanex and could not fall asleep. I took a second .5 mg after two hours and then fell asleep.
Posted by gilbert on February 23, 2002, at 13:03:49
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? to joy, posted by mdertinger on February 23, 2002, at 9:41:46
People are making huge generalizations over your ability to use xanax without becoming dependent or vice versa. For every person who has done well on the same dose for years there are an equal number of persons who become tolerant increase dosages and go through bad withdrawal even following a sane tirtration schedule. An earlier post said they new someone who took xanax for years than stopped "no big deal".......Wow I don't know anyone who was on any benzo for years where stopping was not a huge life changing event and difficult...unless of course you never exceeded a .25 per day dose. Even heart medicines like beta blockers must be stopped slowly and cause withdrawal. SSRI's as we now know cause some withdrawal. Look anything you have to ingest that your body is not used to finds ways to either get used to it or build around it with tolerance....specifically benzos and ssri's. This is why tolerance and poop out occur. Then to shock your body after a number of years of ingesting these meds and to think life will be a bowl of cherries and you can restart any time you like is pure speculation. Proceed with caution with all meds and your own experince will probably differ from some one else. I can tell you I love xanax think it is a wonder drug but......in the long term it screws up your sleep it does not enhance it and it is very very hard to get off of. If you find you need more and more or that you wake at 4a.m. and need one to go back to sleep than run like hell from the drug and try to find a new solution. If that is not possible than accept large doses of xanax as a long term solution....my pdoc was not in favor of that solution, I tended to agreee with him because my sleep patterns are whacked now due to xanax worse than prior.
Good Luck,
Gil
Posted by christophrejmc on February 23, 2002, at 13:50:28
In reply to Re: xanax for years is s big deal, posted by gilbert on February 23, 2002, at 13:03:49
Just to provide another example, I took Xanax for anxiety @ 2mg (I lowered the dose to 1mg after a while because it was causing fatigue) for two years and stopped without any problem. I recommend that you taper off just in case, but not everyone has a problem with withdrawl, tolerance, and/or dependence. (Perhaps it should be noted that I've never had a problem with withdrawl from any med; but I think that's quite typical.)
Posted by Alan on February 23, 2002, at 15:28:27
In reply to Re: xanax for years is s big deal, posted by gilbert on February 23, 2002, at 13:03:49
> People are making huge generalizations over your ability to use xanax without becoming dependent or vice versa. For every person who has done well on the same dose for years there are an equal number of persons who become tolerant increase dosages and go through bad withdrawal even following a sane tirtration schedule> Gil
**************************************
I agree that tapering is the order of the day for any drug but you have to admit that your first statemnet above is a generalisation unto itself. If you do not believe it to be a generalisation, can you provide reference to the medical resesarch that says so - that 50% have these problems as you say?This is not the norm by all studies reviewed by years of amalgamated studies by the World Heath Organisation who deem long and short term BZD monotherapy is relatively risk free.
Please read:
http://bearpaw8.tripod.com/pd.html
and scroll down to benzodiazapines. The whole webpage is worth reading.
Also:
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
This will help clarify the difference between "addiction" and "medical dependence" amongst other things about BZD's.
Alan
Posted by gilbert on February 23, 2002, at 17:45:07
In reply to Re: xanax for years is s big deal » gilbert, posted by Alan on February 23, 2002, at 15:28:27
Alan,
I have looked into both references you mentioned and also love the bearpaw panic materil I think it may be the best on the web. You are correct I did generalize, however my experience comes from real life not studies printied on the internet. I would have to say of all my friends relatives and personal contacts I have had over the past 20 years that most people do not have such an easy ride with benzos.....now the population of people I speak of are more addictive than your average Joe. I have been involved with drug addicts and alcoholics since the late 70's. I have been sober for 16 years. Many members of AA and many members of my panic Recovery group have both had trouble not increasing benzo use and coming off benzos. I could site at least 50 people in the last 10 years who have had major major problems. Of course the same can be said for paxil, effexor and zoloft as well. I am not against benzos for the right person. I am gratefull they are around and I know they are usefull but they are a huge let down when they stop working and getting off of them makes detox look like a picnic. I know you read my post about the old klonopin switch not working. I am actually jealous of people who can maintain same dose use year after year. But I do believe that the 2 sources you have sighted are weighted on the optimistic side. I can sight many mnay studies off the internet and even Upjohn studies showing the addictive nature of xanax. I will respect your intelligence and assume if you would like to find those you can with a simple google search. I can also find proponents of their use like DR Shipko. I think to site just the one side of the coin and not the other especially for people wanting to try the drug is misleading. Your experience may be wonderfull, mine was and now is not, who would be able to tell prior to meds how each of us would respond. You site pro benzo references because you are having a very positive experience with them and I think that's great. I can site other refernces which would counter most of what bearpaw, DR shipko, and others have said. We need to be informed of both sides not just one. It does not mean I am right and you are wrong....it just means that drug use is so individual we really can't project our experinces to others even if we have refernces to enforce our beliefs.
Gil
Posted by Joy on February 23, 2002, at 18:02:51
In reply to Re: Is Addiction to Xanex harmful? to joy, posted by mdertinger on February 23, 2002, at 9:41:46
Trazadone is for sleeping. It works for me with generic Xanax [aloprazam]
> What was the reason your pdoc prescribed Trazedone in addition to the Xanex? Was it to help with sleep, or as a suppliment AD to the Prozac, with the benefit of making you sleepy?
>
> Last night I took my .5 of the Xanex and could not fall asleep. I took a second .5 mg after two hours and then fell asleep.
Posted by Alan on February 23, 2002, at 18:19:59
In reply to Re: references on xanax use...alan, posted by gilbert on February 23, 2002, at 17:45:07
> Alan,
>
> I have looked into both references you mentioned and also love the bearpaw panic materil I think it may be the best on the web. You are correct I did generalize, however my experience comes from real life not studies printied on the internet. I would have to say of all my friends relatives and personal contacts I have had over the past 20 years that most people do not have such an easy ride with benzos.....now the population of people I speak of are more addictive than your average Joe. I have been involved with drug addicts and alcoholics since the late 70's. I have been sober for 16 years. Many members of AA and many members of my panic Recovery group have both had trouble not increasing benzo use and coming off benzos. I could site at least 50 people in the last 10 years who have had major major problems. Of course the same can be said for paxil, effexor and zoloft as well. I am not against benzos for the right person. I am gratefull they are around and I know they are usefull but they are a huge let down when they stop working and getting off of them makes detox look like a picnic. I know you read my post about the old klonopin switch not working. I am actually jealous of people who can maintain same dose use year after year. But I do believe that the 2 sources you have sighted are weighted on the optimistic side. I can sight many mnay studies off the internet and even Upjohn studies showing the addictive nature of xanax. I will respect your intelligence and assume if you would like to find those you can with a simple google search. I can also find proponents of their use like DR Shipko. I think to site just the one side of the coin and not the other especially for people wanting to try the drug is misleading. Your experience may be wonderfull, mine was and now is not, who would be able to tell prior to meds how each of us would respond. You site pro benzo references because you are having a very positive experience with them and I think that's great. I can site other refernces which would counter most of what bearpaw, DR shipko, and others have said. We need to be informed of both sides not just one. It does not mean I am right and you are wrong....it just means that drug use is so individual we really can't project our experinces to others even if we have refernces to enforce our beliefs.
>
> Gil*****************************************I don't believe that the research that i cited or the sites mentioned are "pro-benzo". Rather they are pro-choice with proper assessment of risks. In otherwords, pro proper diagnosis, pro treatment with proportional risk assessment, and importantly, pro follow through with the help of a specialist in the treatment of anxiety disordrs.
If you have credible evidence to contradict the research that I've posted, please share.
Perhaps you are still not making the distinction between "addiction" and "medical dependency" in reference to the language you use re: the medication.
Yes, family histories (those in AA would know one way or the other), genetics predisposing one to a higher incidence of "addictive behaivor" (possibly in your case) is a factor but still, respectfully, your information to the "highly addictive nature of xanax" is still highly anecdotal and is not a sample of the typical population - didn't you say you worked with recovering drug addicts?. It may be (and usually is) misleading to those that are considering taking this med including those that read this bboard.
It is true that statistics (cited by studies put onto the internet or not) don't necessarily apply to individual cases but the overall evidence of the safety and effecacy of these drugs is overwhelming.
Alan
Posted by gilbert on February 24, 2002, at 17:51:20
In reply to Re: references on xanax use...alan » gilbert, posted by Alan on February 23, 2002, at 18:19:59
There is certainly very good evidence on the internet including the internet mental health files which indicate addition as a potential occurence with benzo use. I have searched the net from top to bottom and the whole dependecy vs addiction issue appears to be a minority opionion.
Most doctors and sites on the net list ssri's as a first line treatment to panic. Most internet and health sites list benzo use to remain under 4 weeks very very few recomend long term use. The odd thing is most panic patients disagree with medical community on this issue, myself included. Benzos are by far the most effective panic medication with the least side effects. The problem is who will eventually react poorly to them or become tolerant like in my case. If there was a choice of staying on xanax or klonopin vs ssri chemical castration I think we would both agree benzos are best. I am not sure that the same tolerance will not occur with me on an anti depressant either. I wish there were a simple answer. I am currently on low dose prozac which I hate, I am afraid to try nardil, I am going to try neurontin but from what I have read it does not seem to be all it's cracked up to be, I have no more chances with benzos due to my addictivie nature........where to turn......
As far as addiction vs dependency this really get's to splitting hairs because very few people on high doses of xanax cannot stop abrubtly without dyer consequences.....Now I am in the addiction field and I know the true defintions and standards of addiction and certainly I will not equate taking xanax with typical addiction but I will tell you this is by far the hardest drug for me personally to stop without total confusion and panic. I have some experience here.
I was detoxed off vodka in 1981 inpatient, off of vodka again in 1986 and have come off numerous drugs in my "stoner days". This all feels very familiar.Thanks,
Gil
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