I just read the article. I thought he said that it is hard to conclude the effect of benzos on life expectancy from the studies they've done.

If you've had access to Xanax for over a year and you're still only using it 2 or 3 times a week, then you have been pretty responsible. I don't think you have anything to get in a panic about. Here's one downside, though. Taking it every single time you go somewhere is going to condition you to think you absolutely need it whenever you go somewhere. Then you will get in a worse state, if you go somewhere and don't have it. Try to make up your mind to go places without taking it and think positively about your own coping skills. Pick outings that are not the most stressful. Tell yourself that you will wait, say, 2 hours before taking it. You'll probably find that you don't always need it.