I've suffered from anxiety since I was a child. I'm 38 years old now and the only thing that controls my anxiety attacks is xanax. I do not like to take it because I'm terrified of becoming addicted to it. I've researched and xanax addiction is as bad as any other addiction and can kill you. Do people abuse this drug and become dependant on it? Is there any other drugs out there that are not addictive for anxiety?

As with any drug, Xanax can be abused. You can die from taking too much Advil too...I suffer from anxiety and take Xanax in a very small dose before bed every night. I have done so for a few years now. As long as you take your prescribed dose (and nothing more), and you are under the supervision of a doctor, you should be fine. With any sort of drug that deals with brain functionality, you cannot just stop taking it either. That could bring on panic attacks or severe depression. You have to taper off gradually with the direction of your physician. All drugs you take on a daily basis run the risk of creating dependency. Some medications people do have to take for the rest of their life, every case is different.

I have anxiety attacks, but I have always been afraid of Xanx because I have heard of too many, abuse leading to addiction, problems. I have been taking a Loratab to curve my anxiety and it seems to work pretty well. However, the problem I have come across with Loratab is I can not tell my Dr. I want Loratab for anxiety and I find myself taking it to feel good, not just to curve the anxiety.

i don't know what xanak is very popular? i remeber myself having anxiety attacks thinking i am having heart attacks my doctor prescribe those for me, but you know what i did because i was so feed up being scared. I din't bought one instaed i go to a gym and enrolled i remember being scared inside thinking i was going to have heart attck but i mamange to make myself believe i didn;t have this sicknesss and went on to oplay martial arts for my school. of course i still got the same panic feeling but i always contro myslef and tell to me that i am healthy. power of mind does help.

Goddess, why are you scared to tell your doctor that you're taking Lortabs?  I think it'd be best if  you let him know, because there's always health risks and side effects you may not know about.  I used to be hooked on 800 and 1000 mg Ibuprofens and Vicodin, but I got so sick of the side effects and I told my doctor and she helped me get off of them.  It's fun at first, but you're not thinking of the long term effects.  Are you planning on taking them for the next 50 years, you're better off quitting right now.

jaslena said: Goddess, why are you scared to tell your doctor that you're taking Lortabs?  I think it'd be best if  you let him know, because there's always health risks and side effects you may not know about.  I used to be hooked on 800 and 1000 mg Ibuprofens and Vicodin, but I got so sick of the side effects and I told my doctor and she helped me get off of them.  It's fun at first, but you're not thinking of the long term effects.  Are you planning on taking them for the next 50 years, you're better off quitting right now.

I think what Goddess was saying is that she is taking Loratab that her doctor prescribed but she doesn't want to let him know that she is taking it for anxiety for fear that he will not prescribe them anymore. From I know about Loratab, they are pain killers. I agree though, it is best to be upfront and honest now before it becomes a bigger problem.

Wasn't nicole richie addicted to this?

hellotracy said: Wasn't nicole richie addicted to this?

Yes she was..

Goddess I think you are developing an addiction to lortab.. I read on these forrums about a guy who was just getting off lortab and is suffering from withdrawals. I wouldn't take them for ur addiction I would only take them if needed.

Tessa: I think if you take Xanax only in the amounts perscribed then you should be fine. Make sure someone in your household regulates this for you also and makes sure you dont take more than your supposed to. If you feel like you are developing an addiction then I would talk to your doctor and have him find you an alternative and a way to safely get off the drug.