Daily Small Dosage Of Xanax For Panic Disorder

Hello everyone,

I am a 23 year old who suffered from extreme and severe agoraphobia, panic attacks and anxiety for around 5 years. To get to the point I was using alcohol as a medication, to go out, to socialize, to go to the airport, train station, you name it. Basically I used alcohol to get on with my life, at first like many of us alcohol helped take the edge off but it was not until around 2 and a half years later that it got complete out of control. I use to wake up and drink, put liquor in water bottles and basically drink the whole day until I sleep. After a heavy drinking session I woke up to extreme withdrawal symptoms and I decided to step up and seek help.

I was prescribed prozac (20mg) once daily and Xanax to wean off the withdrawal. It's been a year now that I have stopped drinking but I am still on medication. My panic disorder was destroying my life and along with alcohol my life was hell. Xanax saved my life, however after a year of taking it I'm a bit worried when looking at posts about addiction. I take 0.5 MG to 0.75 MG of Xanax per day for sleep and anxiety. I always go out with 2 pills in case I have a panic attack, I feel safe when I have them. My life is much better now and I honestly don't understand why Xanax has such a bad reputation for people that need it. I suffered from a severe panic disorder with alcoholism and taking a pill and a half of Xanax for my anxiety does not sound bad to me. However opinions differ and I wanted to see if anyone else takes Xanax daily for panic disorder and agoraphobia and had a history of alcohol consumption. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

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REPORT

Xanax is a benzodiazepine, so it does carry the risk of being habit forming, as reported by the U.S. FDA. It may also cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache and irritability.

However, addiction actually occurs with abuse. People who become addicted tend to like the way a drug makes them feel, but since such side effects often wear off over time as your body gets used to a medication, they have to keep taking more and more, in order to get those side effects back.

Dependence, however, is what occurs with regular use, as prescribed. If you would suddenly stop taking it, you may experience some minor withdrawal symptoms, but other than the risk of seizures, they would not be as severe as if someone with an addiction stopped taking it abruptly.

Thus, if carrying some with you makes you feel better, that's fine. The problem occurs, when you start exceeding your doctor's instructions and taking more than you should.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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I see no problem in the amount you are taking to supplement your other medication. When you carry these 'just in case' 2 pills with you when going out do you also carry the original bottle they came in. If not that can be a big problem with Law enforcement.

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