I only ever had about 5 weeks on xanax but I combined it with copious amounts of alcohol. I also took too many of the pills. Sure, it cured anxiety for a short while but I was at risk of overdose. And when i was in detox and in withdrawals from all that, it was the worst anxiety I've ever felt in my life. I'm terrified of ever taking xanax again. that's my experience. have you tried 12 step meetings like NA for support. It's very very hard to deal with this sort of thing on your own.

Thank you so much for the advice. No I have not tried the meetings. I'm terrified that even knowing what hell withdrawal was, I'm in such desperate need of relief I dint care about the long term.consequences. Sad. I have not tried any meetings or groups... Always find an excuse not to go

My husband was addicted to xanax for two years and was very addicted to it. He went into a detox facility to safely get off it because it's a long process and xanax actually gets into your muscle tissue making it very difficult and painful to get off of. He has been off xanax for 15 years now. He has bad panic attacks and high anxiety. His doctor told him the only effective way to manage both is by taking a benzo. After seeing many specialists, because he was scared to death of triggering his addiction he decided to take Klonopin. It is the best benzo for helping anxiety and panic attacks, and it is the easiest to wean off of because it doesn't get into the muscle tissue. He has been taking Klonopin for about 8 years now and it has helped him immensely with his anxiety and panic attacks. He takes 4 mg a day and has never taken more than he's been prescribed. It has not triggered any addiction problems for him. I think as long as you take it as prescribed and don't abuse it by taking more than you are prescribed you will be fine. It is such a helpful medication if taken correctly and used only for what it's prescribed for. If you can see a doctor and discuss your problems, as well as you history with addiction to another benzo it could be very beneficial for you. I would not take it without it being prescribed for you though. I also take Klonopin for ptsd and it has helped me immensely. Without it I am a total basket case due to the panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and insomnia I suffer with. I think that saying you are an addict means that you can't take anything that's in the same classification it not always true. Your body is looking for the drug you were addicted to. Not all medications in the same classification will trigger your addiction. That being said, you have to take the medication as prescribed and for the reasons it was prescribed for. Always be cognizant of the fact that you are an addict and use any medication for what it's needed for and the amount you are prescribed. If you can do that... I think that if your doctor agrees that klonopin would be helpful to you in controlling your medical problems it's something you should think about taking. I hope this helps..If you would like more information please don't hesitate to ask me...I wish you luck and good health...:)

I, too have struggled with addiction in my past but my therapist says that it is common to self medicate when we are in so much pain. If there was any way you could see a good psyciatrist, you could figure out the best medications that you REALLY need and that work without turning you into a zombie or making you feel the guilt that you are using. For example, I take a beta blocker that is not addicting at all for my extreme anxiety and panic attacks. It has helped me so much. I have an as-needed anxiety medication for when things get really tough and I have my regular daily medication of 3 different antidepressants. It took some time to find the right combination of drugs, but now I am not constantly in severe emotional pain. I hope you can get the help you need.

I may be a bit naive here, but people use "what works" to curb their anxiety and pain.

The doctors prescribe plenty of things to curb these things and people are dependent all over the place. I think it's by design on some levels...hey...it makes money.

We can spin our wheels treating symptoms when causes go misunderstood and not treated. We are still in the dark ages when it comes to brain chemistry and Psychology.

It's time to exit self judgment, if at all possible. I don't see 12 step programs doing much. The suicide rate in 12 step programs is twice that of the population in general, so they may be contributing to people's break point just as much as they are helping others.

The first label you have to wear is "helpless"...and it goes down hill from there.

I realize I may get flamed for this comment.

Everyone needs to be cared for and loved individually with "treatment".

Benzos can be very helpful if you do not have an addictive personality.You mention you kind of do (that's really tough).

I have to agree with tiger.
Depending on what kind of trauma i think 12 step programs can be dangerous for child abuse survivors.

I would also caution that they do attract a lot of control freaks too.

But i may add.A benzo saved my life for 19 years.But i never abused it or changed the dose at all.
No, a lot of doctors know what works an prescribe the right meds for the very right reasons not to create dependance or make money.

These meds can be very helpful for PTSD sufferers.

If there are addiction probs than of course the docs need to take that in consideration.

If you can afford it, get some Gabatrol. It is all natural and helps raise the glycine, neropenephrine, and serotonin. I rely on xanax and I'm at the end of my script and I don't think my md gets how bad the anxiety is - it's the insomnia that does me in. I don't need xanax during the day - usually - except like the last couple of weeks when I found out my ex was, on top of everything else, a pedophile - I was taking xanax during the day on that one . . .but Gabatrol is amazing, actually, it is the only thing that has helped me sleep - even two .5 xanax wasn't cutting it - I wasn't waking in a sweat on two xanax, over and over again, but nor was I waking rested. Gabatrol I can take in the morning (like a couple) and I can take five at night and sleep. $52 a bottle for 90 capsules from supervits.com and they ship fast - I ordered on the 17th and had my bottle by the 20th.