psytaco
Bluelighter
They can do it because there is a doctor that is willing to keep prescribing them their daily dose of xanax. It doesn't mean they are not addicted. They would probably be at high risk of seizures if they stopped suddenly after taking it for so long.
I know it is tempting to use benzos everyday. Were it not for the lessons I have learnt through addiction, I would too. I, like you, am also Australian and know how much of a pain in the arse it can be to get a supply of benzos from doctors. But take it from me, using benzos everyday will quickly catch up too you. For a professional (as both of us are) we need to be able to keep a clear head and a focused wit. Sadly, benzos aren't the best for this particularly as tolerance rises quickly and so can your doses leaving you unfocused and with a flimsy memory.
To answer your first question. This is my 2nd episode of serious depression. The anxiety I have is kind of always with me since my first episode in 2010, but it peaks during depressive episodes. Anyway, first antidepressant I tried in 2010 was effexor. I couldn't tolerate that and had to discontinue it after 3 days when it gave me really bad suicidal thoughts. A few months passed and I tried zoloft and it was somewhat effective for depression but made no difference with anxiety. It had a shitload of side effects though such as insomnia, weight gain and no sex drive.
The 2nd episode happened after a bad break up. I was flung into severe depression and couldn't sleep. I went to the doctor and asked for an antidepressant that would help me sleep. He recommended mirtazapine, but warned of the weight gain. I was really hesitant about it too, as I am well built and muscular but put on weight easily as it is. Within a week, I was lifted out of suicidal depression. Within a month, I was back to being high functioning. Now I actually have moments of happiness (something I haven't felt in almost a year). So yeah, things are getting better. But I still get pretty anxious sometimes. Not to the debilitating level as previously, but still enough to distress me. I can also sleep properly now. Before that I couldn't sleep without like 4 stilnox and I was constantly exhausted.
I do take valium maybe 3 times a week. I try to have two or three days break, and try not to use more than 10mg. This is already pushing it pretty close to the line with addiction for me. However, it does make me feel more normal and actually be able to enjoy things rather than worrying excessively about something. It also a pain in the arse going back to the doctor to get it as they give me the third degree each time about it's addictiveness and side effects.
Ha anyway this was a bit of a ramble.
The tldr version would be 1) benzos are effective but are not an everyday option as addiction and withdrawal is absolutely terrible, 2) mirtzapine is really effective for me for depression but not so much with anxiety. the weight gain is the only side effect I have had.
