Rigguns
Greenlighter
I've been using various drugs for years now. I never kept a habit with anything but marijuana, which I still smoke very occasionally. Aside from occasional adderall to study or work hard through long shifts, and very occasional drinking in social situations, i don't use any drugs regularly.
Personally, i've never had an issue with drug addiction until being introduced to Xanax. It's extremely popular and available where I live and after developing insomnia I began to use it to get me to sleep quickly after long labor-intensive shifts at work. It began with very moderate doses, maybe .5mg of an instant release Xanax bar. I began to develop feelings of apathy, depression, and aggression within a few days of regular use upon waking up the morning after a dose, not to mention my tolerance was skyrocketing very very quickly. Within two weeks I was taking 2 2mg bars just to get the same affect as the .5mg I was consuming previously. This went on for about a month and half, until I was taking so much xanax it was hurting me mentally and financially. My wake up call came one afternoon after having not had xanax for two days and upon assembling a desk for my room (which had horrid instructions) I became so frustrated from very small things not working out that I put a hole into my bedroom wall and nearly broke my wrist.
I'm usually a very calm and level headed person, and even when I do pop off I internalize it all and usually just let it pass. Seeing myself become so angry as to put a hole in my wall made me finally do some research into the side effects of Xanax use. I came to understand how extremely addictive it was for the first time, and learned of the horrible withdrawal symptoms which I had began to experience. I immediate took my bag of about 8 bars and flushed them.
This is the part that really made the experience horrible, I spent the next week experiencing suicidal depression, insomnia, aggression, and an extremely low capacity for stress of any kind (school, work, family, etc). I had no appetite for the most part, and the first 4 days after quitting I was so fatigued it was difficult to do anything.
After experiencing what I would consider my first legitimate drug withdrawal I learned my lesson: There are some drugs you just shouldn't mess around with.
I'm not saying Xanax should be avoided entirely, as it does seem to have some positive properties, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless its actually for a panic disorder.
If you decide to quit and have been using for a long time, TAPER YOUR DOSE. If you are being prescribed Xanax, make it clear to your prescribing doctor or whoever that you want to quit with a tapering dose. Prolonged and heavy Xanax use that ends suddenly is very deadly. I just caught myself early. I can't stress enough though, do not just stop taking Xanax like I did, I wouldn't wish those withdrawals on my worst enemy. Taper Taper Taper.
Moral of the story: Know your limits, stop addictions early, and ALWAYS do your research into the negative side effects of drugs before using them experimentally for otherwise.
Personally, i've never had an issue with drug addiction until being introduced to Xanax. It's extremely popular and available where I live and after developing insomnia I began to use it to get me to sleep quickly after long labor-intensive shifts at work. It began with very moderate doses, maybe .5mg of an instant release Xanax bar. I began to develop feelings of apathy, depression, and aggression within a few days of regular use upon waking up the morning after a dose, not to mention my tolerance was skyrocketing very very quickly. Within two weeks I was taking 2 2mg bars just to get the same affect as the .5mg I was consuming previously. This went on for about a month and half, until I was taking so much xanax it was hurting me mentally and financially. My wake up call came one afternoon after having not had xanax for two days and upon assembling a desk for my room (which had horrid instructions) I became so frustrated from very small things not working out that I put a hole into my bedroom wall and nearly broke my wrist.
I'm usually a very calm and level headed person, and even when I do pop off I internalize it all and usually just let it pass. Seeing myself become so angry as to put a hole in my wall made me finally do some research into the side effects of Xanax use. I came to understand how extremely addictive it was for the first time, and learned of the horrible withdrawal symptoms which I had began to experience. I immediate took my bag of about 8 bars and flushed them.
This is the part that really made the experience horrible, I spent the next week experiencing suicidal depression, insomnia, aggression, and an extremely low capacity for stress of any kind (school, work, family, etc). I had no appetite for the most part, and the first 4 days after quitting I was so fatigued it was difficult to do anything.
After experiencing what I would consider my first legitimate drug withdrawal I learned my lesson: There are some drugs you just shouldn't mess around with.
I'm not saying Xanax should be avoided entirely, as it does seem to have some positive properties, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless its actually for a panic disorder.
If you decide to quit and have been using for a long time, TAPER YOUR DOSE. If you are being prescribed Xanax, make it clear to your prescribing doctor or whoever that you want to quit with a tapering dose. Prolonged and heavy Xanax use that ends suddenly is very deadly. I just caught myself early. I can't stress enough though, do not just stop taking Xanax like I did, I wouldn't wish those withdrawals on my worst enemy. Taper Taper Taper.
Moral of the story: Know your limits, stop addictions early, and ALWAYS do your research into the negative side effects of drugs before using them experimentally for otherwise.
