I've been on Xanax XR since late summer of 2007. I was a complete disaster without it. I have a rather bad case of permanent PTSD, and my ability to cope with myself is marginal at best. Before the Xanax, I was using some fairly extreme coping methods which my pdoc decided were unhealthy..... mostly extreme physical exertion. I was in panic mode most of the time.

Now, I have a much better handle on my stress levels.

One might wonder if the meds are really doing anything or if I have become "addicted." Over Christmas, I had a chance to find that out. My prescriptions got all messed up, and I was off the Xanax for 5 days. After a couple days of detox, I was back to extreme panic mode. The Xanax XR keeps me level.

So I guess it really depends on what your situation is and how you cope with certain meds in general. I'm on a low doseage... 0.5mg 2x daily.