Just curious, would going to an open meeting with someone you know and feel comfortable with help you with the anxiety issue? You don't have to talk, you can just listen. That I do know. I've done it in the past and it was a little easier (of course, I was still very nervous.) You've got to be careful adding a new addictive substance like Xanax. Personally, I've tried lots of things and I can tell you that the only thing I will ever be able to become addicted to is alcohol - my one and only drug of choice. But that's certainly not the case with everyone. Stopping drinking sometimes really needs to be done under a doctor's care. Best to get evaluated if you're skeptical.