I don't actually know much about Xanax; I have only taken it a few times. But I have taken Valerian to help me go to sleep and then more recently to help me with anxiety. I have heard that Xanax can be habit-forming. Valerian is probably much less likely to be. I wouldn't have been able to drive on a Xanax or work--although I think people do work on Xanax, but all drugs with a sedating effect hit me pretty hard. You might want to ask your doctor about both Xanax and Valerian; to weigh the pros and cons of each and when you can take one or the other for either anxiety or sleep. I wish you the best.