Alprazolam and Addiction: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 2, 2014

For Anxiety "In my experience, alprazolam can be extremely effective against anxiety, considerably addictive, and can easily create tolerance if the dosages are not carefully managed. It should not be used as a sleeping aid since it tends to lose its hypnotic effects after some time of continuous usage. To avoid the tolerance and addictive issues, I recommend people only take alprazolam in or before moments of anxiety. For cases of social anxiety, I recommend one take alprazolam 2 hours before social interaction. The dosage is, in my view, subjective, thus, one should discover his optimal dosage on an incremental basis. I personally take 1 to 1.5 mg, 2 hours before leaving home, and then sustain it throughout the day with 1 mg individual dosages."

• Wil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2015

For Anxiety "I've been on Xanax for 20 years. I have a problem with low self-esteem due to chronic psoriasis. People staring at me, feeling like a freak. Besides that, I have always felt nervous inside, can't slow myself down. My mind can't focus, always overthinking. So I started out on 0.25 mg. Through the years, I kept needing my dosage increased. Now, I take 2 mg three times a day, usually two times. Yes, it's addicting, but it works for me. I don't get high from them. They just keep my mind and body feeling more normal to me. I don't slur my words or sleep all the time. So they work for me, and I'm thankful! Without Xanax, I start to panic big-time, and that scares me. So if they work for you, then take them. Yes, I'm addicted to them, but I need them."

• Bar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 7, 2021

For Anxiety "I have taken Xanax over 30 years now. I had horrible anxiety with agoraphobia. I started on 4 mg a day, now take 3 mg, sometimes only 2. It helped me tremendously. Was scared to take it at first because it's so addictive, but it's the only really medication to help me. I've only taken a couple at a time, one time when I went to the dentist. I don't abuse them, in fact, just the opposite. I know they say not a long-term drug, but I sure would hate to be taken off because anxiety and agoraphobia are horrible."

• Now...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2016

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "I took Prozac for 12 years, and it became more or less useful to me as I became more tolerant. However, I cannot live without it due to my condition of extreme severe anxiety and panic. I grew up with this disorder, and as an adult, I can't control it at points. I have never had an addictive nature. And I do not take it on a daily regimen. I refuse to be addicted or forever bound to a drug. So, I use other methods of meditation and zen relaxation techniques, even sleeping all I need to when I can on days I can. However, I have high-stress days that even Prozac doesn't help these nature elements and body chemicals, so I had to look for an alternative. I started using Xanax. Due to its addictive nature, I broke them in 4, taking smaller doses."

• Fox...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 24, 2016

For Anxiety "I have social and generalized anxiety, along with panic attacks. I am at a max dose of 2 mg 3 times per day. This medication is a lifesaver in terms of allowing me to not be afraid around myself, allowing me to go out and socialize with friends. The only downside is I will most likely be on this medication the rest of my life as it has proven to be extremely addictive both physically and psychologically. Your brain naturally creates GABA, which takes up to a year or longer to start creating on its own. This medicine also wipes out your short-term memory, and tolerance is a huge problem, along with creating more extreme panic attacks if a dose is missed. However, this medication is a lifesaver for me. 15 years and counting."

• Liv...
• February 13, 2010

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I am a 19-year-old male prescribed a 0.5 mg dosage of Xanax to be taken twice daily. Depending on my bouts of anxiety or an occasional panic attack, I either take one or a half of one to calm my state of mind. I try to just take a half of one because this medication can be addicting. I noticed these effects and feelings right after my first intake. It does indeed help suppress my anxiety and panic attacks. Due to the addiction-prone aspects, I'm giving it an 8."

• GJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 13, 2018

Alprazolam for Anxiety "Careful with this one. Very addictive. It was prescribed for anxiety, but after a while, I found myself habitually taking it and getting desperately anxious when I didn’t. Addiction to barbiturates in my mid-forties was not part of the plan, so I stopped. Withdrawals were terrible. I also experienced short-term memory issues. I achieved safer results with antidepressants, although they take a week or more to ‘work,’ they are not addictive. Lifestyle changes also helped: no drinking, took up jogging, gym, and watching what I eat and being more mindful of the spiritual aspects of life. Pretty obvious stuff, really..."

• Mic...
• February 7, 2010

Alprazolam for Anxiety "I had 2 panic attacks in my entire life. I went to a doctor and was given Xanax at half mg to take immediately and 6 hrs later. It worked, and I thought I would keep some handy for any possible future attacks. He prescribed 0.25 mg pills 3 times a day. I looked it up on the internet and didn't like the information on addiction. I went to my doctor when I got back home, and he prescribed Ativan. I believe Xanax should be used only when having a panic attack and not as a maintenance drug."

• Ada...
• March 6, 2010

For Anxiety "I've been on Xanax for a little over a year, and it really helps with my anxiety and depression. However, I tried to stop taking it cold turkey a few months back...bad idea. I had the most horrifying withdrawals ever. I thought I was going to die. So now I'm back on it, but I've developed a tolerance and an addiction, which scares me. As with most of the other reviews, I agree that it is a great drug when taken correctly. Just don't ever suddenly stop taking it. Taper off slowly."

• Anonymous
• April 30, 2011

Alprazolam for Anxiety "Xanax is an excellent medicine for myself. It has prevented panic attacks and helped me through times of rough anxiety. Ativan never worked for me, and Klonopin makes me drunk-like and put me in the hospital 3 times. The hospital finally said I have an allergy to Klonopin and could no longer take it. After going on Xanax, I felt so much better and relieved. I try not to take Xanax every day, as it is not meant to be a long-term solution to anxiety and can be very addicting, so be very careful. I am on Paxil CR and Risperdal on top of Xanax for my anxiety, PTSD, panic disorder, and OCD."

• Mol...
• September 15, 2009

Alprazolam "I'm a 64 yr old female and have been on 0.05 mgs of Xanax four times daily as needed. I don't always use four but have found that it has helped me a lot. I sometimes wonder if I'll be on it for the rest of my life because I realize the older I become it may or may not affect me differently. I know it's addictive, but since most of my anxiety is genetically related, I feel I must stay on it."

• JLR...
• September 12, 2008

For Anxiety "I used to be prescribed this drug when I was about 17. I was taken off it because the doctors said it can be addicting. It really helped me get through my panic attacks. They switched me to Xanax. I'm just on Paxil now. My father takes alprazolam once a day, and it helps him, along with therapy."

• mag...
• May 23, 2010

For Panic Disorder "At first, I resisted taking Xanax because of things I'd heard about it, but I've got to say... it works. Just remember, after a couple of weeks, it can become addictive, and you don't want to feel that withdrawal. My doctor has given me a once-daily medicine (citalopram) that took 5 to 7 days to fully take effect, but it's working great. I'm down to 1 Xanax every day or 2 and plan to be totally off of it soon, as this new medicine has fully taken its place now. And yes, it can be taken with the Xanax until you are ready to stop taking it."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2011

For Anxiety "Xanax (Alprazolam) has been a miracle for me. I suffer from depression, severe anxiety from GAD, panic disorder, OCD, and PTSD. Xanax helps prevent panic attacks and stops them once they start. Be careful about taking it every day due to tolerance being built up to the medicine (needing more and more to get the same effect) and because of addiction issues. I don't take regular Xanax every day. I try to stick with the extended-release version, if possible, to avoid addiction to regular Xanax. Regular Xanax, however, works hard and fast and is great for those who really need it. I give it a 10/10!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2024

For Panic Disorder "The first time I tried Xanax was when I had colitis. This medicine is quite good at preventing pain and making you sleep. Use with a doctor's or psychiatrist's prescription, don't use a lot because it will cause addiction."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 6, 2025

Alprazolam for Anxiety "This medicine is the best at stopping panic attacks. It's really a shame that it's addictive, I personally never had problems with that, but it does seem like it's not the best to take long term, and that's the only problem!"

• Daf...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 14, 2020

Alprazolam for Anxiety "Xanax worked within 20-30 minutes. Excellent for anxiety and sleep. The low dose works. Took 0.5 mg PRN for anxiety. It is addictive, so do not take routinely."

• Inc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2019

Alprazolam for Anxiety "Really helps instantly, just remember benzodiazepines are very addictive. Do not use alcohol while using this!"

• Aan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 18, 2021

Alprazolam for Depression "Highly addictive. Brain fog, weight gain. Horrible, please don't take! These are so hard to get off of."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 21, 2021

For Anxiety "Great for anxiety. I only recommend that you take it only as needed, as it is addictive."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 2, 2017

For Anxiety "The one medication that has helped so drastically with depression and anxiety, but so addictive. If other methods can be found, I suggest going down another road."

• Tri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 5, 2021

For Anxiety "Works great on severe anxiety and severe social anxiety and panic attacks. Only take as needed, though, or you'll become addicted."

• Bar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 3, 2021

Alprazolam for Panic Disorder "Xanax has worked incredibly well for me, sucks it’s addicting. I am prescribed 6 mg Xanax a day, I take 4 mg and it takes all my anxiety away. ALL of it."