Psychologically dependent on Xanax

[Kabukicho]

I can't sleep without large quantities of Xanax. I can't feel "normal" during the day without it. When I don't take it, I don't have any physical withdrawal symptoms besides insomnia. I've been taking around 1.0 mg of Xanax at night for 6 months. No off days.

I want to get off the Xanax but nothing else works. I've tried every antidepressant known to man (slight exaggeration) and I've tried every holistic approach to anxiety and sleep in the book.

Advice?

[needtogetwell]

I can't sleep without large quantities of Xanax. I can't feel "normal" during the day without it. When I don't take it, I don't have any physical withdrawal symptoms besides insomnia. I've been taking around 1.0 mg of Xanax at night for 6 months. No off days. I want to get off the Xanax but nothing else works. I've tried every antidepressant known to man (slight exaggeration) and I've tried every holistic approach to anxiety and sleep in the book. Advice?

Hi Kabukicho, god I hope I spelled that right, lol!

First of all, don't kid yourself that you are psychologically dependent on this stuff. You are quite likely physically dependent on it too. Benzos are NOT something to fool with. If you want to come off them do so with help from your doctor.

I spent 2 months with my mother-in-law in the hospital this past summer because of Benzo withdrawal. It was truly a nasty time and I would never ever wish that on anyone.

Benzos while extremely helpful to those if us suffering with anxiety, need to be handled with respect!

Do what you have to to find what works for you but please please get help if you want to be free of them.

Don't mean to be a downer or scare you, just don't want to see you do any harm to yourself.

Be well!
Pam

[Fourteen14]

Hi Kabukicho, god I hope I spelled that right, lol! First of all, don't kid yourself that you are psychologically dependent on this stuff. You are quite likely physically dependent on it too. Benzos are NOT something to fool with. If you want to come off them do so with help from your doctor. I spent 2 months with my mother-in-law in the hospital this past summer because of Benzo withdrawal. It was truly a nasty time and I would never ever wish that on anyone. Benzos while extremely helpful to those if us suffering with anxiety, need to be handled with respect! Do what you have to to find what works for you but please please get help if you want to be free of them. Don't mean to be a downer or scare you, just don't want to see you do any harm to yourself. Be well! Pam

Great post Pam!

[Kabukicho]

Perfect spelling!

No need to worry about scaring me, either. I have anxiety. I scare myself constantly about everything. Especially my nasty little mistress drug, Xanax.

I meet with my pdoc monthly and we are being very careful about proceeding with the Xanax. It's just that NOTHING else works. I'm dependent on it, and if that's how it has to be for me to function properly, then maybe that's okay. But I do hate feeling like a junky when I ask for a refill. And I hate worrying about when the next refill is coming / what happens when I move to a different city, etc.

I'm going to take as little as possible (probably .5 to .75 mg) for the foreseeable future and just choke down the lingering, breakthrough anxiety symptoms. And aim to cut down with my pdoc's help.

I just wish there was ONE other thing that worked.

[needtogetwell]

So glad that you have your head screwed on straight regarding the Xanax. (Pardon the analogy, not implying anything)

You seem to have the desire to find what will work for you and that is half the battle! Don't give up, you just haven't found the right combination. It will come, as will relief from the anxiety.

Hang in there!
Pam

[Enduronman]

I also used to take 3mg just to go to sleep, PLUS 150mg of benedryl too...Not anymore. I just quit one day. and flopped around like a fish for 10 days, then it was overwith.
I don't know if 1mg per day is a huggggeeeee ordeal, its when you get up over 3mg where it can present a huge problem and it becomes a physical dependance obviously at that high a dose...
I take 1mg XR now everyday to keep me leveled out...
Maybe ask your Doc about the long acting slow release to see if that works???...

Just some thoughts...

Welcome Kabuchiko....:)

Enduronman....