19 pvcs? I'm probably gonna look like an idiot, but what does that abbreviation stand for?
Abstaining could be a smart move, but some people have legitimate need. Although, addiction is by some means hereditary - my family is a testament to this - my mother, a product of severe alcoholics, has a glass of wine every night; never two or three. I've never seen or known her to be in any way impaired by anything. She was able to beat the odds, so there's no saying that you can't to.
In short, if you need the medication to function like a normal human being in society, you should be taking it. The issue of dependence is easily mitigated by avoiding excessive increase in dose and like you've already done, taking time to abstain and gain perspective on the pros and cons of using such drugs.
I feel for you because I experience anxiety pretty severely. I'm just able to compartmentalize it and live my life. This of course leads to a complete breakdown of full-day anxiety/panic attacks from time to time where I feel like I'm experiencing all of the guilt/shame/sorrow that I was previously refusing to experience. I, however, could never take benzodiazepines, or any drug, safely and responsibly. Taking .5mg of clonazepam is nonsensical to my insane, fucked up, drug addled mind. I'd take 4mg to start, not plan on taking anymore and wake up the next day with an empty bottle, having taken 75% and selling the other 25% for dope money. You're at least ahead of the curve in relation to me.