Xanax Taper

[[am...]]

Hello, I've just joined Benzo Buddies because I am tapering off of Xanax and I need as much support as I can get. I've been taking .25 mg of Xanax for a half a year. I went to the doctors recently for a check up and he said he was going to take me off of Xanax because it's addictive. I knew it was addictive, but I am not addicted. My bottle says "Take 1 tablet by mouth twice a day if needed". So I only take one when I really need one. He basically took me off of it for no reason. But after reading all of these things about how horrible the drug is, I want to really get off of it now. I only have about 15 tablets left over and I need to taper, but I'm not sure how to yet. I need help and support. I'm suppose to go back to the doctors on Wednesday and talk to him and I should be getting a psychiatrist soon. Please help!

[[be...]]

Hi breahchey Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I think the majority of members here took there benzodiazepines as prescribed. They are really only meant to take for a few weeks for several reasons. One, long term they really don't work, and secondly they are highly addictive and sometimes very difficult to come off. However, the majority of people can get off with little to no problems. However, they should be tapered to help reduce the chance of severe or prolonged withdrawal symptoms.

 

You might like to check out The Ashton Manual it is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms.

 

Please feel free to post to any of the dedicated boards, we have a wonderful community of people here, who will give sound advice. Members have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal and are more than willing to share their experiences.

 

Withdrawal Support (during your taper)

 

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again Welcome! 

 

benzos-R-cruel

 

[[am...]]

Thank you for replying! I'm very stressed and confused about tapering though. I don't talk my pills every single day so I feel confused about how I would taper. I am also taking Citalopram for depression. Would my withdrawals not be as bad because my dose is low?

 

~BreahChey

[[be...]]

Thank you for replying! I'm very stressed and confused about tapering though. I don't talk my pills every single day so I feel confused about how I would taper. I am also taking Citalopram for depression. Would my withdrawals not be as bad because my dose is low?

 

~BreahChey

 

Withdrawal can sometimes be just as difficult for a low dose user as it is for someone on a high dose. We are all unique in how we will be affected by them. How often have you been taking them?

[[am...]]

Hmm. Okay. I've been taking them every 2 or 3 days. I used to take one everyday though. I go to school, so my anxiety was high and I would take one to prevent any anxiousness or panic attacks and It worked. And for awhile my doctor prescribed 1 mg for bedtime, but I took them all during the summer and now I'm back down to .25 mg. I never had any withdrawals going back down because sometimes during the day I would take .25 and at night I would take the 1 mg so I could sleep. But I was prescribed Xanax for anxiety and constant panic attacks after being severely dehydrated in March of 2013. So that was when I started the Xanax. I couldn't stand up at all because I was very dizzy and I was also admitted to the hospital to get an IV to be hydrated again, if that makes sense. I'm just very stressed and scared about getting off because I don't know if I'm going to be anxious again, or be normal like I was before the incident.