Suggest Ways To Wean Off Xanax

Posted on Tue, 26 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 Answered on

Sat, 27 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I've had several surgery's and I've been on hydrocodone meds for about 15+ yrs. I've been on xanax for at least 20 yrs. for panic attacks & depression. My family doctor has cutting me off cold turkey on pain meds I'm addicted to all of them and my doctor knows that. I just went in for my yearly physical & he drug tested me and I'm positive for pain meds. So now he's going to make me quit cold turkey on Xanax. I know he should wean me off of the Xanax. I've been so torn up & going into deep depression now! Please help me! I need to have some answers! What should I do?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
DEA regulations are strict

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Xanax and other pain medicines esp opioid drugs are under drug surveillance. Both the consumer and prescribers are under scanner by DEA. Hence doctors would not prescribe doses which puts them under wrong list. Their licences can be barred as well.
So this was justified by your family doctor to take you off the medicines. At the same time there should be better communication between you. How is he going to knock off these medicines suddenly. Is there a particular plan to follow? Are there alternative therapies like psychotherapy that he is planning? Gradual withdrawal is good and effective. He can refer you to substance controll or Addiction medicine specialist who can take up and guide both your doctor and you.
So ask him for a referral so that you would not have low depression and get maximum benefits.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar