My roommate started a new job and she has anxiety issues as do I and I have been giving her a quarter of a 2 mg bar at bedtime to help her sleep. She only takes it every other night or so. She has only been doing this for a week. Will she go through withdrawals if she keeps taking the Xanax at bedtime and then tries to quit? I know that I am on 5mg a day and I would probably die if I quit but I will never be without some sort of benzo. I know it's illegal to share my script but she cannot sleep and she came to me and asked. I just don't want to hurt her in any way. She says the little 0.5mg helps her sleep and she wakes up calm and energized. Will she be able to quit without problems?
Will you have withdrawals from stopping 0.5mg of Xanax? It is only taken at bedtime?
Question posted by taylorco105 on 25 Jan 2012
Last updated on 18 January 2021 by jakeTom546
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10 Answers
jakeTom546
18 Jan 2021
I am on 1/2 of 0.5 mg of Xanax. I would like to withdraw ASAP. How long will have to take to complete this process?
WildcatVet
28 Sep 2019
Are you for real?
Daisyforever
28 Sep 2019
Stop Wildcat ... YES we are for real. I'm depressed I can't laugh...
WildcatVet
29 Sep 2019
For your sake I hope you never develop diabetes, hepatitis, HIV, renal failure, cancer or any number of serious mental disorders...
@Daisy. This person knows it's illegal and extremely dangerous and she's still considering doing it if it's okay to "help" her friend? And what's she going to do when she runs out of her medication too soon and can't get a refill? Double Duh!
norseman5150
9 July 2017
quit now... if you have withdraw you will know it..if you dont withdraw your very lucky... Benzos are like playing with fire..you will get burned..
chris65
4 April 2012
I am not going to even address the legal or illegal part of your question for you know the answer.
I think that if she were to go to a doctor and get her own script that would be where the Dr would start at 0.5 is the lowest dose. The things to look at are if she becomes tolerate and needs a higher dose. Withdraw is highly unlikely at that dose. I would look into another sleep aid that is not a controlled substance because most jobs will pull a drug screen and without a script she could lose more than a nights sleep
vonner
27 Oct 2014
I thought .25 was the lowest dose?
dsac6060
28 Feb 2012
No
taylorco105
28 Feb 2012
No she won't be able to quit without problems? or No she will not get addicted to .5 taking only about three times a week?
dsac6060
28 Feb 2012
If she only took .5 mg for a week or so and not every day she WILL NOT WD
taylorco105
28 Feb 2012
It is not for just a week. It has been ongoing. 3 times a week for two months now getting ready to start three months.
sedrickusa
27 Feb 2012
One thing that has been told to me when perscribed medicine is not to share. I think though well intended she should consult a doctor for her sleep issues. I think she will get the proper medication and dose. You are being a good friend and want to help. But what was perscribed to you should be for you. Shareing can end up hurting her in the long run.
Inactive
27 Feb 2012
I did not see this question back in January when it posted. You already know the answer to the question as you are taking 2mg how many times a day? At any rate tell your roomate that it is illegal to share your script, & suggesst she try taking a couple of benadryl at bedtime or 20 minutes before. It is not addictive, & will produce the same results as .5mg of xanax. My best to you & her...
Inactive
27 Feb 2012
Or him as the case may be... Mary
taylorco105
28 Feb 2012
I am a "he" and she is a "she". Benedryl makes her feel groggy in the morning as does most over the counter sleep aids such as Tylenol PM. .5 of Xanax gives her a full nights sleep and she is up and not groggy at all in the morning.
Tired Texan
27 Feb 2012
Its awesome you care so much about your friend - but stop it. Let a doctor make that call. Yes, It can have side affects and it can alter her for LIFE. Most sleep aids (Ambien) contain similar Xanex ingredients. Let her see the doctor and let him/her prescribe that. It is much safer than straight Xanex - but I still hear it can have withdraw problems if taken for a long period.
Love your passion and friendship - good luck.
Tired Texan
27 Feb 2012
and OMG - you are taking 5 MG EACH DAY of Xanex? Great Scott. I took three MG once and it knocked me out so bad I couldn't tell you what time it was. I'm not your doctor, so I presume you must need it - but wow. Honey, that will cause you some challenges later in life (been there). I'm a large man (not overweight - just large) - I don't know your physical characteristics, but MAN that is a serious dose.
taylorco105
27 Feb 2012
To the one who was worried about me being on such a high dose. I am 38 years old, male and am only 5 foot 3 145 pounds. I have EXTREME social anxiety to the point where I was unable to leave my home as was sitting in a ball shaking and crying and throwing up for no reason. I started on a low dose as does everyone but have been on this drug for more than a decade. As time went by my tolerance grew more and more because my body got used to the drug. Now I am at a point where it just normalizes me. I do not get sleepy when I take it nor do I feel high as some people have often asked me. I just feel normal. Now if I skip a dose, my body feels it and I start to shake uncontrollably. So I always make sure not to let that happen. Thanks for worrying about me but I am fine. Every person/s body is different and some people have more tolerance than others.
taylorco105
27 Feb 2012
Oh and I also take 12.5 mg of Ambien at bedtime as well.
babyr0423
25 Jan 2012
Dear taylorco105,
I am not here to judge anyone. I don't people period. I'm just giving you my opinion. It is never ok to give someone else you're medication. She needs to get her own prescription if she needs it that badly. And yes, if she keeps taking it..she will get withdrawls eventually if she stops taking it, due to benzo's are highly addictive. I take them. I know all about them. Please don't think I'm coming down on you. I just think it would be wise if she got her own prescription. If anything should happen..it would be in your hands, and you would feel bad. And it is illegal to do so anyway. Best wishes to you, and I hope you can talk her into going to the doctor and getting her own. God Bless. Ruth
taylorco105
28 Feb 2012
We both know this would be the ideal situation but the problem lies in that she does not yet have insurance with this new job and has no way to pay to see a doctor to get on the medication. Since I started the initial post she only takes .5 about 3 times a week tops. She goes to bed each night without it and if after an hour she is still awake then she will take one and fall instantly to sleep. I wish Xanax still worked like that for me. I'm on 5 mgs. a day and it doesn't make me tired at all. It just makes me normal
Inactive
25 Jan 2012
I applaud the fact you care so much for your friend. Its sweet. Now on the other hand, remember " no good deed goes unpunished" (not really but maybe in this case) the longer your roomate continues to take xanax the more likely she will become dependant on them. And if abruptly stopped could cause some very uncomfortable withdrawls. this is a personal choice between you two. So I'm not going to say what's wrong what's right... blah, blah... just be cautious, and maybe think about her getting her own script of something, that will help her too sleep. Good luck to y'all... Taylor
Related topics
xanax, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, sleep disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, withdrawal, sleep
Further information
- Xanax uses and safety info
- Xanax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Xanax (detailed)
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