HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

xanax-addiction or making things worse??

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/29/2013 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'v recently started cbt therapy, and am very excited and hopeful for the results. However, I'v recently hit a hard spot in my anxiety. :(. I'v been taking .25mg a day for about 4 weeks now. I hope to get off it as soon as my therapy has me feeling confident. I'm really worried I will be addicted to it, or I'v heard extended use can make anxiety worse in the long run. I'm wondering since I'm on such a low dose if I'm worried about these risks for no reason causeing myself even more anxiety. Ugh!!! I went 15 years refusing xanax, but honestly they have helped me greatly the past few weeks. It's very bitter sweet.
Posted 10/29/2013 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Jess, I never used anything but xanax, over 10 years, I was on the strongest ones first over time I worked
down to the size you are taking and only used as needed. The reason I weaned myself off the strong ones
is that I could not take them and work, I would just lay my head down and pass out? Don't worry about
addition if you stay within the instructions of the doctors orders. I have been without one now for over two
years but if I need one I will not hesitate. Peace.

Larry ***
Posted 10/29/2013 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jess,

I have no doubt that you will do just fine if/when you choose to wean off of your Rx.

You are on a low dose, for a short period of time...add to that your concern about an addiction issue...and the fact that you are seeking help through therapy, therefore you simply do not in any way fit the profile of someone who would have an issue with dependency

Like Larry said, following your prescribing doctor's orders will find you doing what it safe and best for your longterm goals and recovery.

All the best, and keep us posted on your progress!

S.C.
Posted 10/29/2013 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
I do believe I am a strong person. I mean as far as not becoming addicted. I try to play it smart. I was taking the .25mg to sleep, then when I realized they can make me feel good during the day I gave myself the choice of day or night. I guess what I fear is now that I found something to help me so greatly have what feels like a normal day I may find it hard to give up. Though I do plan to make it every other day then as needed as I get better with my therapy, but if I don't have you heard that the use of xanax will cause your brain to stop producing the gaba or whatever it is that makes you calm because it thinks it doesn't need to anymore.Lord I'd hate to put a stop to a hormone that is needed to help me. I could be on this dose for another 6months or so. Thank you both for the advice.
Posted 10/29/2013 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Jess,

This is something I believe you can do.............Tapering off when you're at .25mg is relatively easy because there is only a couple of weeks, three at the most and after that you'll be off the pills.  Benzos tend to be useful in the treatment of anxiety  for a few months; as you have only used them for weeks you should not have an awful experience in weaning off this med. Most people at this stage feel dependent  psychologically on the drugs because they have found something that takes away their anxiety and that feels good.  Anxiety is not fun.

From reading your post, am I correct that you take a total of .25mg once daily or on some days you spilt your .25mg in two and that way you have  two dose of .125mg to take when you feel you need a Xanax?

For treatment of anxiety disorders the drug of choice is antidepressants; SSRIs are a class of antidepressants which are considered as a first line drug for treatment of anxiety disorders.


Benzodiazepines such as Xanax are used in combination with SSRIs and after continuing Xanax for short term it is slowly tapered and SSRIs are continued.

I would kindly suggest you throw all your energy into therapy and learn how to cope with the anxiety before having dreams of feeling good on Xanax for another 6 months. 

7 years ago  I had a major depressive episode with extremely high anxiety and my PCP start me on Ativan eventually  upping the dose to 4 mgs per day. One day, after none of the SSRIs he tried me on did not work, he referred me to our clinic's psychiatrist.  She shook her head when she saw the Ativan order and the amount I was on.  Right from the start we put a plan in place  to wean from the 4 mg of Ativan daily by using a substitute drug - Valium.  4 mg of Ativan is = to 40 mg of Valium therefore we could do a very slow wean.  It took me 7 months to finally get down to 2 mg once daily as needed.  I chose to keep 2 mg  on hand which was my security blanket. 

 

I am here to support you so talk with your Dr. and make a plan to wean ASAP as with each day you use Xanax it becomes harder to give it up.

 

Kindly,

Kitt

 

 




 

Posted 10/31/2013 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys again. I'v decided to stop my worry about the addiction part. I know I'm smart and for now, so long as I only use my .125 or .25 up to 5 times a week I should be just fine. I feel I need it right now while I learn new ways through therapy to cope. I truly do hold out and try to re-train my brain for as long as I can before taking the xanax, but when I feel to bad for to long, I just need an aide. I wish it wasn't like that, but it is, and for now, I'm okay with that. I'm only three sessions into my cbt, and I must admit I'm not sure we are doing what needs to be done. However, that may be just me trying to rush everything. We have spoke of doing more deep breathing each day, restateing my worries, asking myself whats the worst that can happen, and doing the thought chart. I just don't feel I'm making much progress. :(
Posted 10/31/2013 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad to discover this site! It has already been a blessing to me. I suffer with Erythromelalgia which is Burning Feet Syndrome and it causes terrible severe pain in the feet as if you are putting your feet into a fire. I also battle anxiety, depression and other things and sometimes it is hard to relax or sleep at all. I can tell you many things about Xanax and it is very difficult to get off of, just like people say. There is a book that really helped me through much of my pain and anxiety, and it was called Mystery Diseases and Me. I believe meditation is very powerful and can take the place of Xanax, and this book teaches a lot about it because the author went cold turkey off of Xanax. Good luck and love to all.
Posted 10/31/2013 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Jess C,

I thing that you plan and atttitude are very good! I believe that you are on your way, and that you are going to enjoy a great recovery.

When you are doing all that you are doing, and have a good mindset such as you have, you really can't go wrong.:)

Three sessions of CBT is just getting started, so try to be patient with yourself and the process. I found that much of my gains happened toward the end of my time in therapy...and even after I had stopped! The results continued to increase as time went on.:)

High fives, and encouragement to keep going!!!

S.C.
Posted 10/31/2013 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi HotFoot and welcome!

I am glad that you have joined us, and found something that is helpful for you. I hope that you continue to find relief for the things that challenge you.

Feel free to post with us anytime in regards to your anxiety issues.

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply