If you need xanax, then by all means take it. But, if you take it for more than about 6 weeks or so, you can just plan on staying on it forever unless you take Zyprexa or something similar. Xanax and Klonopin are sooo helpful, but they are also sooo addicting, that to get off you have to decrease by tiny smidgets and then you Might be able to totally discontinue it. I have been taking 2 mg daily since 1994, except when I was taking Zyprexa I never needed the xanax. But Zyprexa has benzo qualities just like xanax (and klonopin). Sooo, if you have anxiety and /or panic attacks, you will feel so much better taking xanax (or longer lasting, but longer to work, klonopin). Just be extra careful if you try to stop taking it. You'll know right away, because your anxiety will pop up again like a mean monster... so if you want to quit.. go very gradually.

Just FYI