"i am prescribed 0.5mg xanax twice a day as needed.  it works very well for me when i have high anxiety.  i have no side effects at all from this drug, i don&#039;t even get sleepy with it, i just feel calmer.  i have taken a variety of benzodiazepines for years, and i have never had a problem with an addiction to any of them (and i have a history of drug abuse).  i would just say to take as needed and at the correct dose, and don&#039;t take continuously for a long time, and you should do good with xanax. "