--- In benzofree@y..., "Jane Owings"

<janeo1@q...> wrote:

Hi xxxx,

I was a member of both groups a few years ago. What happened with me

is - I got better! I think many of us gradually improved and that life has

gone on without benzos. I don't have any symptoms anymore, have a new job,

and I'm loving life. I was lucky in that I didn't have any major long-term

withdrawals. After the first year off xanax, I was able to work

again. It took about another year for me to feel really like myself. I was on

xanax for 10 years previous to that, went into a hospital in 1999, detoxed

in 5 days inpatient and 7 days outpatient. Now THAT was hell. The next

three months, I spent rocking back and forth, praying for the anxiety to go

away.

After that, things really did improve quickly. Oddly enough, I am

much calmer now than in my pre-xanax days. I rarely have ANY kind of

anxiety anymore. Maybe my brain has used up all my anxiety receptors!! I've

been through a lot since 1999, including a divorce and bankruptcy, but I

find myself feeling very calm and centered. Much happier and with a more

positive outlook than ever before. So life goes on and thank God for that!

Hope you're also doing much better,

Janie in Utah