I suspect that taking the Xanax at bedtime helped me sleep better which gave me needed relief without thinking about it, and then my days went pretty well for coping with the stress.
So I was not at all anxiety ridden most of the time and thus less dependent on medication for coping well enough to do all my work needed during the ten year period. Perhaps that made it easier to drop the medication when I realized my troubles were about over. I am 87 now after 16 years of healing from my past, and have no need for dealing with stress and anxiety. I was married 50 years and have five wonderful, successful children and five grandchildren who are grown and forming families, so I am grateful for my bright future even though it may be short. Dorisena