I used to take Alprazolam (Xanax) in doses up to 2mg at a time. It works fast for anxiety and really calms you down but has a short life so the anxiety can return after 4 or so hours. It is very addictive too so be careful. I would suggest only using it I'm emergencies. Right now I am addicted to Clonazepam (another benzodiazepine like Alprazolam). I have been taking doses raging from 0.5mg to 8mg a day for seven years depending on the severity of my symptoms. Right now I am down to 1mg a day and trying to taper off. It is hell as the withdrawals can cause severe anxiety, sleeplessness, agitation, irritability and even dissociation. I am going slow to avoid as much of that as possible.