"i have taken xanax for 24 years and it has been a life-saver for me!  when my psychiatrist prescribed it for me, 24 years ago, i was just about at the end of my rope.  i was crying all the time, was hyperventilating, had bouts of my heart fluttering and many other typical &quot;anxiety-related&quot; symptoms. i was at the point that i was afraid i was dying or going crazy. over the years, my dosage has been adjusted to work with my life at the time, but i have always taken it exactly as prescribed and have never wanted or needed more than was prescribed.  as a matter of fact, i am currently taking 0.5 mg two times per day, but can take as much as 1 mg five times per day."