Well, the 3 benzos that you mentioned are all similar in strength-- the difference with Klonopin is that it lasts much longer than the others. While Xanax and Ativan may give off their effects for 3 or 4 hours, Klonopin is more like 6-8.

Are you on any of the SSRIs for depression/anxiety?

Any antipsychotics for the schizoaffective?

Stopping the benzos is a nerve-wracking process indeed. I have been prescribed benzos since I was 17. I'm 26 now. Normally it is not advised to keep prescribing someone benzos for that long-- however, my pdoc trusts that I only use them when I really, really need them-- and he's right. I am at the point in which sometimes I will only take a Klonopin once per week. Sometimes I have more anxious/agitated weeks than others, and I will take one for a couple days in a row. But for the most part, it's very spaced out.

Take them responsibly. That's what I have always done. They are easy to get addicted to. I know that I am dependent on them in the sense that I can go a week without taking one, but the thought of not having the bottle with me ever again scares me. Just having them in my purse helps-- I don't necessarily need to take one.