Is this drug abuse? Does anyone else do this?

So I have a prescription for Xanax .5 MG, and whenever I have a tuff, difficult, emotionally painful day, what I like to do is take 2 of the pills and take a bath and relax.

I do not do this often, in fact, I only take my Xanax once every other week or so. I don't always use it.

Hello, HelloWorld18. Please talk to your psychiatrist about this. My Xanax prescription said as needed. I made sure to let my psychiatrist know how much I was taking. The concern is addiction.

I wish you well.

I know for a fact I'm not addicted. I rarely use them, I just use them on special occasions when i'm feeling vulnerable and a bit anxious and completely stressed out.

I think that is what Xanax is for? I guess I would discuss it with my psychiatrist as glok suggests or my therapist, in the same way I discuss my use of my asthma medication with my primary care physician when I "think" I am out of breath/am "uncomfortable".

Using medication to stop feeling "uncomfortable" is not a whole lot different from going out and having a few drinks? If you never discuss and work on the situations when you feel the desire for the Xanax, not wanting/needing/buying the Xanax won't become possible? You will still experience anxiety and extreme stress the same way and cope with it with the Xanax. Not everyone gets "completely stressed out" and chooses that way to deal with stress when they do. I am not judging you at all (I occasionally drink when anxious), just pointing out other choices one can make.

I use xanax in manner similar to what you've described -- that is, infrequently, as needed for stress; maybe once or twice a month, tops, and for years without any issue at all. It seems to be the most troublesome (taking more than should be, etc.) for people who drink, which I don't, and there are some other combinations that can be dangerous as well. But taken properly, it's a very safe drug, which is why it ultimately replaced valium in the prescription toolbox.

Personally, a whole milligram would knock me out .. my prescription is also for .5's, and I've actually ended up breaking those into quarters (they split really easily), and sometimes only need one quarter, which I still find really relaxing -- so that would be my only suggestion, to try sometime taking less than you are (unless you've already done so more than once on your current medication set), and see if it achieves the desired effect in a way that is still helpful.

Definitely check in with your doc about how you're using it -- I'm sure they would be more than happy to know how you are using it responsibly

i would say no..and i must admit i find xanax quite helpful & it seems like the bath makes them kick in faster, idk maybe it's just me

Do you take 2 because one is not enough, like is it still in the realm of you take it for anxiety, but have taken a bit more on occasion for more effectiveness? I don't know doesn't really seem like abuse to me....I mean that seems quite a bit different than constantly taking it to try and get high.

I know i had to talk to my psychiatrist about 5mg of valium not being effective for some more severe anxiety attacks...so she adjusted my dose to 5-10 for anxiety depending on the level so if I need a little more than 5mg I can take 10.

As long as you aren't doing that too often (because if you are, you'll build a tolerance to the Xanax) it sounds to me like you're using the medication as intended.

I agree about asking your pdoc, if doubling the dose, every other week is appropriate use. My prn states up to three times a day. I'd err to believe that implies spaced out, over a 24 time period, much like an antibiotic would be dosed, haven't had this conversation with my own PDoc. We've only discussed my concern about this meds addictive qualities.
Could perhaps, contact a pharmacist, too? A call to ask, if it's proper use, doubling a dose?

I really don't use it a whole lot. A 60 pill supply of .5 mg has lasted me about 4 months, almost every single time i take two at once and sometimes even 3 (I've only taken 3 when i really needed to go to bed, only happened about 3-4x).

I have built up an immunity towerd the alprazolam (xanax), which is why I'm going to a psychiatrist to get a diff prescription (went to primary dr for all my meds, now they say i need a psych). Ive been looking at valium, and it seems like its something that i could really use as it is long lasting and just as strong.

It seems you are taking them appropriatly. I take 8mg extended release daily and am completely addicted by prescription. Yet since the doctor chose the medication and dosage technically I'm not abusing them, but deep down we all know that I am. Good luck