I've experienced the same thing when I tell people that I take Xanax. They instantly start in with horror stories of addictions and withdrawals. I usually respond by saying that my pdoc and I are monitoring my usage and I have found it more beneficial than not.

I think some people really have had bad experiences with many different meds. And some people just read about the bad experiences and then find it necessary to take what they've read as the eventual end result of anyone taking the medication. There is risk in taking any medication. You have to weigh the risks and benefits, and decide what is right for you. What I've found, though is that the people that have had a bad experience with anything tend to be much more vocal than those that have had a good experience. Those that are doing well on a med tend to just keep taking it and not really say much about it.