Xanax - Anyone Else On It?
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Xanax - Anyone Else On It?
| Wed, 07-26-2006 - 11:31am |
Hello to all! Just rx'd by pdoc and I believe it to be very addictive. Anyone with any personal experience with this drug? Thanks! Kelli

I started taking Xanax a last year. I haven't experienced addiction but I think some people like to abuse them just like any other drug. It makes me a bit sleepy and dopey, but when I start getting anxiety I dont' have a choice but to take it. I usually only take half a pill and then the other half if I'm still not feeling better.
I only get 30 at a time and just call my doc when I need more. She has discussed the addictive possibilities of the drug but it really depends on the person too. I don't have that type of personality to abuse it, but I do somewhat feel dependant on it at times since i know I can't calm myself down without it at this point.
I've had a few problems when I've run out of Xanax and forgotten to get a refill and then get anxiety. It puts my into a full-on freakout mode because I don't know what to do. It usually happens at work and I have to go home early so I don't have a meltdown in front of the co-workers :)
Kelli,
I struggle with the addictiveness but they help *so much* when I need them. I think being aware they are addictive and watching out makes a big difference. My pdoc gives them to me 3 months at a time and increases the dosage when I have times of high anxiety. As long as I stay at the low dosage she doesn't seem to be too worried about addiction. They are much more worried about the effects of untreated anxiety. I do have to be careful though. I've been popping them like candy lately and if I keep going I'll run out before I can get a refill. I think I've needed them more because of an increase in stress. I don't see pdoc again until 8/11.
Hugs,
Morgaine
Hi Kelli...sorry I'm late here...but I just wanted you to know that I have a diagnosed addictive personality...was on drugs for a long time...and I take Ativan...which is almost exactly like Xanax...very addictive. I've been on it for 4.5 years, and I probably am addicted to it at this point, chemically. But my pdoc says that we'll deal with that if I ever come off it. Right now, its my LIFESAVER! I couldn't do without it...I know of others who are on Xanax and its the same way. The help it gives is worth more than the possible addiction.
Good Luck!
Keli
Hi,
I have been on Xanax for years. I know they can be addictive, but I dont' care. They work so good for me! I don't feel like I'm addicted though. During my hospitalization...I had to see another pdoc instead of my regular one. He prescribed Xanax XR (time release), and they are wonderful. I only take 1mg. in the morning, and it works all day! Before, I was taking three .5 of regular xanax.
~Renee
I started taking xanax last Sept. I took 1/2 to 1 pill every 6 hours. I did that for a few weeks. Once my panic attacs seemed to be more under control, I started weening myself back. Now I just use them as needed. I found I built up a "tolerance" to the 1/2 pill pretty quickly and needed to go to the whole pill to get the same effect, but that was just me. I do think they work great. They really take the edge off.
I have a neighbor who was a drug addict in high school. Now, as an adult, he was taking 4-6 xanax/day, weened down to 1 to try kava-kava and had no problmes with addiction to it. The kava-kava didn't work so he is back on the xanax, but at a lower dose.
Don't know how much that helps, but, just my $0.02.
Peg