Hi! I just read your post, as well as numerous replies, and thought my own story would be of help. 🙂
I’ve had anxiety since 1990, and have been on Alprazolam (generic Xanax) successfully & daily all 30 years. For me, it has been no different than a diabetic who may need insulin their whole lives. It has been extremely beneficial and essential, and I take it responsibly. Always have.

Since we’ve lived in numerous states, or have had to change doctors on occasion due to our insurance changing, I’ve had the “pleasure” of having doctors’ responses to Alprazolam ranging from (and I’m being funny now) “clearly it’s like taking crack and we must get you off it,” to “well, we at least need to taper you back because it could be addictive,” to “oh my goodness, you’re totally fine to take it as it helps people so much.”

We need to be careful when we throw around the word “addiction” when it comes to Alprazolam. Yes, there is that factor in some people who take it, and usually it becomes obvious, I would imagine, by them abusing it or needing more before their refill. For me, it is a very very essential maintenance medication. I get my refills at the appropriate time, and after all these years I know exactly when I need it, and how much. I’m in the no-guilt/no shame zone on this one. We wouldn’t do that to someone who needed their medicine for whatever condition they have. Like them, the ability to have a quality of life on a daily basis would be extremely hard and diminished if it weren’t for my depression and anxiety medications. End of story.

As far as which ones and doses on those, again keep in mind I’ve been on meds, for both, for 30 years. So, I’ve been on depression meds that work, absolutely don’t work, and some “work okay” ones. Same for dosages on each one. Hang in there until you find the right one, and above all else, get a doctor who has a clue about mental health! If one doesn’t, move on!

Right now, I have .5 mg 3x/day. Sometimes I need all 3, sometimes I only need 2, and sometimes 2-1/2. At one point years ago, going through a very stressful time, my doctor had me go to 1mg 3x/day. I actually found that to be too much, so after that stressful time passed, I told him I wanted to go back down to my original dose. Now THAT’S a doctor who understands this whole area. And yes, he healthily monitored me.

Oh, I’m also one where the depression medicines with built-in anti-anxiety portions don’t work for me. I’ve tried many! So....I have to have both meds. to stay even-steven.

I’m also a rare bird that not only uses it for my anxiety, but also as a very effective sleep medication. While I know that I am the exception rather than the rule on the sleep part, frankly I don’t care. I know my body, and I know what works for me. Plus, that’s why studies always have the small percentage where a medication is also effective for such ‘n such in a small percentage of people. Make sense?

Gosh I hope this has helped. I am passionate about the area of Alprazolam, because when someone that is new on it hears every which way, I’m always afraid they will be so fearful of it that they will either not take it, or be afraid to ask for the right dose for them. That is such a disservice to all of us who greatly use it properly as an absolute life-saver.

To end, my mom (now 88 and still lives in her own apartment, has many standing weekly engagements, and is sharp as a tack) always tells me: “have something to look forward to each day.” That is such wise advice. It could be as simply as watching “Wheel of Fortune” at 7pm! 😊