First I want to thank everyone who responded to my first post from a couple of days ago... you all are so kind, helpful, and thoughtful. All of the great suggestions, stories... you guys rock. I can't tell you enough - how thankful I am that you are all here.

Since I was usually taking 1.5 - 2 pills per day, I decided to go with 1.5 per day starting 2 days ago.

I drew up a schedule & will taper down by 1/4 pill every 7 days. I would like to do it faster & get it overwith, but based on what I've read, this sounds reasonable.

I'll be drug free for the holidays!

I'm seeing my therapist this afternoon & will let her know about it. I'm not scheduled to see the MD that prescribed the Xanax until 11/6, but I'm going to leave her a voice mail & let her know what I'm doing. I never really told her that I was addicted... she knows I take 2 pills every day, but she was okay with that. I'm curious to see what she has to say.

I bought a meditation CD, a Yoga DVD, and also ordered a couple of books about relaxing, getting a good night's sleep, etc. Maybe that stuff will help.

Have a good day everyone!

Good for you!!! You can do it........and we are here for you!!

Doctors are fully aware of the addiction side of xanax. so I am sure your doc won't be surprised to hear you are addicted. I really wish they would not even give the stuff out...........but that's only my opinion.....so...good luck and stay strong and pray alot....................:p

Hi Zoso - well now that sounds like a well thought out, serious plan. Congratulations! Your Dr. may have some things to suggest so I think it's great that you're leaving a message. You will probably get some good advice there. Keep your eye on the prize - a life free from these pills. I'm on vacation right now and I can't tell you how nice it is to not have to worry about taking a pill throughout the day to enjoy it. You are on your way! Remeber - stick to it! No going back! Brace for it, because it will probably get worse before it gets better, but don't let it sway you. Now is the time, and I know you know this in your heart.

The main thing is not to go up in dose again at any point in the taper. If you have to stay at a certain dose for a longer period of time than expected than "so be it." You'll probably find the last 0.5 the hardest going, I guess that goes without saying. Have you thought about tapering the last couple of 1/4's somewhat slower around that dose; I think it would be wise.......

Don't be surprised if they switch you over to diazepam(valium) as it has a much longer half life then xanax.There is a doctor who has a manual out for detoxing off benzodiazepine and I can't remember her name but she swears by valium as the standard for getting off benzo's.Good luck to you......Dave:)

I'm on .125 - .25mg Xanaz per day or two and I can take it or leave it. What are your doses? You may not even be on a high enough dose to worry. I just got off Percoset (tapered down from 60mg/day oxy) and at the end of the taper (when I was at 2 pills/day(10mg)) I was just in constant withdrawals. I was going down 1/4 pill at a time. So I just quit, and it was so much easier!See how you feel. I know Xanax is supposedly more dangerous to go CT, but at a low dose, it might be easier just to quit. We are all different, and I certainly wouldn't do anything without a doctor's advise. God bless you; you are almost there!!!

Hi, I'm sorry, just read your previous post and it does sound like you're on enough to cause problems. Please let us know what your dr says. Glad you're not drinking on it. Even without Xanax, if i drink, I wake up in the middle of the night with the same symptoms. In my case, it's a drop in blood sugar, but feels like a full-blown panic attack. God bless

Mpvt, you mean The "Ashton Report." If anyone where to run a search on benzodiazepine and Dr Ashton, the report would come up.