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I take another benzodiazepine (Ativan) for sleep. I don't think you become dependant as much as it loses its effectiveness after long-term use. So if you used a full dose every single day, or multiple times per day, it would lose its effectiveness after awhile. Because it's an anti-anxiety med, often used PRN (rather than scheduled, like an anti-depressant), its need is often psychological as much as it is physical (which is its intended purpose).
In your case, using it once per week or less, you have nothing to worry about.
Actually, the most studied benzo Valium has been shown to not be addictive in the sense that you must keep upping the dose over time. The exception to that rule is if you are a drinker and do not time your dosage. Alcohol use can make Valium addictive in that sense. Benzo's are best only used by non-drinkers, and certainly not by alcoholics.
I take it to help with panic attacks and anxiety due to stress. I only get 30 tablets, .25mgs at a time. That will last me about 4-6 months. Next time I need to refill I have to take a drug test. Now with the pandemic I don't feel comfortable going to dr. office. Does everyone have to have a drug test for a new prescription?
Due to attempts to curb rampant abuse these days, you may. Especially for long term "open-ended" usage. If you don't abuse your medication you shouldn't worry about being tested. If you want a refill you'll have to jump through their hoops in order to get it. I'm sure your doctor can arrange for you to get tested with minimal exposure.
Last edited by Parnassia; 01-14-2021 at 01:25 PM..
I take it to help with panic attacks and anxiety due to stress. I only get 30 tablets, .25mgs at a time. That will last me about 4-6 months. Next time I need to refill I have to take a drug test. Now with the pandemic I don't feel comfortable going to dr. office. Does everyone have to have a drug test for a new prescription?
If 30 pills last you 4-6 months, I can't imagine why they're asking you for a drug test. If you came back after two weeks asking for a refill I could see it.
If 30 pills last you 4-6 months, I can't imagine why they're asking you for a drug test. If you came back after two weeks asking for a refill I could see it.
I agree. I was just wondering if it's a medicare mandate or something else. A friend of mine gets hers refilled monthly, no questions asked. The only thing I can think of is that my doc is not in private practice anymore. She is now affiliated with a hospital group, and they may have blanket rules for this kind of thing.
I've been taking Xanax once about every 7-10 days or so for the last 18 months. However I'm taking on new responsibilities at work and feel nervous about it, so I've been thinking I might could take a pill (which is 0.50 mg) before work to help calm and slow me down til I get the hang of the job for a couple of weeks. If I were to suddenly stopped taking it daily, would I develop side effects? I've never taken it daily persistently and haven't developed any side effects like I do when I forget to take a Paxil, which can be hell. The instructions on my Xanax bottle says to take one daily as needed.
I only took tranquilizers and painkillers when I felt like I really needed them, and never got dependent on them. I think people who take them on a regular schedule for any length of time are likely to become dependent.
I agree. I was just wondering if it's a medicare mandate or something else. A friend of mine gets hers refilled monthly, no questions asked. The only thing I can think of is that my doc is not in private practice anymore. She is now affiliated with a hospital group, and they may have blanket rules for this kind of thing.
I normally go almost a year between doctor visits, and my doc normally gives me 60 tablets. I've never been asked for a drug test, but I'm not on Medicare, so I don't know about that.
A lot more and a lot more frequently than the OP is taking it.
OP you are taking a very low dose, taking it infrequently and as directed. You are not on the pathway to addiction, habituation, or dependency.
Also, the studies on memory loss, and are inconclusive. The studies are for higher doses and longer duration.
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