i have been prescribed benzos for aprox. 8 years now. started with xanax (until i got up to two bars a day), then was switched to valium (worthless. quit taking it after 2 weeks because i had to take 50mg just to keep anxiety at bay (yes i know this sounds absurd but everyone is different), moved on to lorazepam, hated the side effects and quit pretty quickly (i think i gave it 3 months), went on klonopin which is great for my panic and anxiety. i have been on klonopin for three years. prescribed 2mg daily and i am prescribed 1mg xanax for acute panic attacks but i rarely need it. that being said 5mg klonopin is a heavy-ass dose. i would be stumbling around, slobbering, and knocking shit over. the most i have taken at one time is 3mg (i don't abuse my own prescriptions very often at all). i am not a medical professional, but you could probably take a little less than 5mg. it DOES do wonders for WD, though. when i am in acute WD, i usually take 2-3mg twice daily instead of my 1mg twice daily. peace.