MemphisBlues, everything you said is true. I lived it. I was prescribed Xanax in 2007 after a health scare. I was on them for 4 1/2 years during which I spiraled into full blown alcoholism. When I entered rehab in 2012, I was quitting both alcohol AND Xanax. I shook for literally a month. Thank God I didn't have seizures or hallucinations but it was pretty nasty. Benzos are definitely meant for short term, preferably a week or less.