Has anyone ever taken care of a parent or loved one with anxiety and or who is addicted to Xanax?
I've recently taken my elderly mother of 80 years old in to live with me and my husband and children because she was experiencing severe anxiety and depression. I think she is also addicted to the drug Xanax. She has seen a Psychiatrist recently who gave her a different med, one that is more like a treatment for the anxiety, but takes a bit longer for the anxiety symptoms to go away. My mom prefers the instant gratification that she gets from taking the Xanax but the more she takes it the more I hear it is habit forming and the more anxcious people feel. It's a vicious cycle... She gets very angry if she can't have her Xanax and she's really a different person. Has anyone ever had to deal with this type of situation? Any guidence or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm desperate to have my mom back.
So, do you talk to the doctor during these appointments? Just because you'll get better, more accurate information if you do.
Yes, it's possible to become dependent upon drugs like xanax, which is a class of drugs called benzodiazapams. Lots of doctors don't like to prescribe them to seniors, but by the same token, then need to be tapered off. Glad that you are seeing the doctor again this week.
I bet when your mom starts feeling better, she will have an easier time weaning. But, even if she doesn't want to wean, what is the problem with her taking the Xanax? As long as she is not having balance or falling problems, what's the downside? I could understand if she had children to care for, job to work, car to drive, but as a senior who is trying to be at peace in her twilight years, I don't know that it would bother me as long as her doctor says it's okay on a take as needed basis. Why not let her have the Xanax. I would support anything that makes her happy as long as it's not harming her and that she doesn't overdose.