"i was on ativan (lorazepam) for awhile but found it highly addicting. i switched to xanax (alprazolam) and it&#039;s fast acting and settles your anxiousness, sense of panic, and has a calming effect. i take them as needed. but if i have had a long stretch of taking them, it&#039;s not difficult to lower the dose and take them as needed. your body doesn&#039;t go into absolute fits or seizures (as ativan does). i&#039;ll take this forever. it&#039;s helped me live more normally."