For me, it is worth the possibility of being dependent on benzos (xanax) and being able to function. I do not abuse this but have been on it (same dose) for 6 years. I have withdrawn from both Valium (in the late '70's) and atavan. The atavan withdrawal was sheer hell. I was inpatient at the time, and I was watched carefully but that didn't help the insomnia, tactile hallucinations, panic, shaking etc.... Back in the 70's my p doc gave me valium. He said it was perfectly safe and continued to prescribe it when my maintenance dose was 100 mg a day. I was fully functioning , held a full time job and felt it wasn't an issue because the doctor said it wasn't. In my defense, I was young, didn't question doctors, and thought they knew best. Only after taking an overdose of over 1000mg of valium with wine, ending up in ICU, then a state hospital, did someone catch on that I had a serious addiction to it. Never touched valium again...never will but the xanax in moderation keeps me functional.
I guess it's a toss up whether one wants relief with dependence, or fullbolown symptoms and being benzo free.