Will I Look Like A Drug Abuser For Asking My Doctor For Xanax (alprazolam)?
I have a very severe panic disorder that sometimes keeps me from doing things I have to do, like go buy groceries at the store, get my hair cut, or go pay bills. At home, I am fine. Not depressed, anxious, or anything. It is just when I go out in public that I get panicky and start to freak out–once I remove myself from the situation, I am fine again.
To deal with this, I was prescribed Alprazolam back in October, to be taken as-needed. I don’t use the medication at all unless I have to leave the house for some reason, like to buy groceries, and then I carry it with me just in case I need it.
I was given 15 pills back in October, and now, 4 months later, I still have 4 left. So I only used 11 pills in 4 months–I think that goes to show I don’t abuse it.
But as I am starting to run low, I am going to be needing some more, and am going to make an appointment with my doctor this week for that purpose. But the problem is, I know Alprazloam is a drug that is widely abused by some people, and it carries a certain stigma with it that makes some doctors not want to prescribe it for that reason. And it is going to look awfully suspicious when I go there and specifically ask for Alprazolam as the sole purpose of my visit. I’m afraid the doctor will think I am a drug abuser and tell me no.
But here’s the thing: I refuse to take daily anti-depressants or other, more long-term anxiety medications such as SSRIs. Because unless I am out in public, I am fine. At home, nothing bothers me. The reason I have panic attacks is because I was the victim of a violent crime, and going out in public places stirs up old memories and causes me to freak out. But I don’t want to subject myself to long-term medications when I am just fine when not in public. I like being able to take a pill to control the panic attack SPECIFICALLY, since that is my problem, not depression or anxiety in general.
I am thinking of bringing my current bottle of the medication with me to show the doctor I still have some of it left, as proof I am not abusing it. I just don’t know what he’s going to say if I go in there and tell him I’m seeking Alprazolam–do you think he, or any other doctor, would say no? I have my bottle, filled in October, for 15 pills, with 4 of them left…shouldn’t that be enough for them to know I am not an drug abuser and simply like having it on standby? I do need to be able to go out in public every now and then, and the Alprazolam is the only thing that helps.
It’s very sad when the ones that do abuse this medicine make it so difficult for us to even ask, because of their drug abuse. I feel the same way as you and you shouldn’t have to justify asking for something that helps you when you clearly don’t abuse prescription drugs. Try not to feel so guilty and in fact get angry because we are the ones that are paying the price for others prescription drug addictions. Go ahead and ask, your doctor should be understanding enough to believe you. However I wouldn’t tell him/her you have some left or they might tell you to come back when they are gone. I certainly understand your feeling the way you do.
I’ve always been told that honesty is the best policy. I would however like to see you get some type of therapy to help you with your anxiety out in public.
Just taking a pill want solve the anxiety in the long run. Eventually, you’ll have to deal with this situation. If it’s not therapy, try a support group for victims of violet crimes. Check at your local mental health department.
Best of luck to you!
You know, I was on the same exact drug for the same exact thing/reasons as you. I would just take the bottle with you to your doctor appointment. If this is the same doctor that prescribed it do you in the first place, I don’t think you’d have a problem, but if it’s a different doctor, just tell him/her what you said here, and I honestly don’t think that you’d have a problem getting it again. I’m the same way as you, I don’t want to take any kind of long term daily pill, when it’s just once in a while and certain case scenarios where I needed to take a Xanax from time to time. Same as you, when I was out in public, or for some reason I would get freaked out at home when I’d hear noises or something. I hope you don’t have any problems, I really don’t think that you would. Good luck!
didn’t read the whole thing but just kind of tell him all of that and he will agree that you need more and prescribe it to you.