Addiction is different for everyone. Some have a disposition to addiction. That's where the term a drug is a drug is drug comes from I think, AA meetings. I don't have that dna, but being on Xanax for 30 years might also add to the problem. It's not impossible, but it can be difficult when it's the drug that has worked for you for so long. I question to get off it, once I get to to like .25 twice a day if I can, I think then I may be able to switch to a 100 percent homeopathic path. That is the goal. Anxiety comes from everywhere, and if there is still chronic pain, there may not be anything that does the same thing. It is a difficult road to remove a drug, I wish it were as easy as was for you, I think the need for a drug increases its dependance. I surely will try . You never know if the pain is coming from a chronic/ acute pain issue, or from the withdrawal? Some conditions never heal, measuring the pain level and what can control it is half way there, then you have to get there slowly. My Dad is older and getting off a more addictive drug he took to sleep. The doctor is going to start him on 10 mg of time release melatonin seeing he is 90 years old, once he is able to get off that medication.