Xanax question

I was prescribed 1 mg of xanax to help me sleep at night. I was taking them everynight and had to stop for other reasons. I seemed to have some bad withdrawal symptoms when I stopped. I am able to take the xanax again, but I am trying not to take it every night so I don't become dependent on it, however, I can't really sleep well without it. It feels so good to be able to sleep for more than 3 hrs. If I take it for 2 to 3 nights in a row and then don't take it for 2 to 4 nights, will this prevent my becoming dependent on it? Thanks!

Kitty - Intermittent dosing of a hypnotic (sleeping pill) can help stop dependence, but not all that well. It is very hard to retrain your body to sleep properly without medication after taking hypnotics for any extended length of time.

I would suggest taking them only when you absolutely need to. I know this is easy to say/hard to do, but it is the best way to avoid becoming dependent on benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam).

Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine. When withdrawing from it, it may be wise to use a longer acting benzo like Valium (diazepam) or Librium (chlordiazepoxide). This will decrease the incidence and severity of benzodiazepine withdrawl syndrome.

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam

P.S. - Sorry that it has taken so long to reply, but I was on holidays.

<font color=blue>"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened." - Winston Churchill</font color=blue>

Thanks for your reply Cam. I was hesitant to discuss this with my dr because I did not want her to know I was becoming dependent on xanax. I decided to stop cold turkey and did not sleep much for 2 wks, but I think it is now out of my system. I hope your holiday was nice! Where did you go?

Kitty - This time of year we always take holidays. It has become a tradition to show up for various pre-Stampede barbeques and keggers, square dance benefits, etc. Then 10 days of hard drinking (start at 8:00am), hard living, and even harder dancing. We teach square dancing on the street in downtown Calgary during the Calgary Stampede. We have been with the Stampede's Square Dance Committee (part of Downtown Attractions) for 16 years now. Geez, I'm getting old.


<font color=blue>"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened." - Winston Churchill</font color=blue>

Sounds like great fun! I desperately need a vacation. I will be taking one day off in about 2 wks. At least it is something!

You just now figuring out that you're getting old?

I've been telling you that for years.

"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was
'committed'."

I'm still younger than you, Grandpa!

<font color=blue>"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened." - Winston Churchill</font color=blue>

Alright, I started this thread and I think I am younger than you both!

Hey guys I thought I'd get in on the disscusion. I toke xanax during my hospital stay and three weeks after it. (Sorry I mention the hospital in almost all my posts, kind of haven't gotten over it) Glad I don't have to take it any more, but I haven't been sleeping well so I kind of miss it. But it was a hard drug to be on totally knocked me out and I couldn't drive any where
Catch ya later

Oh hey did ya know that Jeb Bush's daughter got arrested for faking a prescription for xanax

<font color=purple> Whatever you can do, or believe you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Goethe </font color=purple>

Moonlight: She was actually just caught breaking her probation and I think had to spend some time in jail. Someone very close to me also was recently arrested for the same thing, but a different drug. However, it did cause her to break her addiction and seek treatment, so maybe it was not such a bad thing.

I use both Valium and Xanax for panic disorder and other related disorders, but I have a much better answer for sleeping. I discovered it a few years ago, and never need to take benzos to go to sleep now the way I used to.

Melatonin. I use the sublingual kind. I just slip this little peppermint flavored tablet under my tongue when I lie down and before it is dissolved I'm asleep! It's a miracle considering I've battled insomnia all of my life.

Most health food stores should have it. If not, you can always buy it online. The brand I use is Source Naturals, though I'm sure there are other reputable companies that manufacture it.

--jen