My experience with SSRI's is diametrically opposed to the examples given above. I've been off and on them for various lengths of time for years, and have had little issues with discontinuation given a modest and supervised taper, which should be done with nearly any psychiatric medication.
Klonopin is NOT the first line for panic attack, it's more used for generalized anxiety disorder and seizures. Xanax is the gold standard for panic. In any event, there are other medications for anxiety that don't have the fierce addictive potential of benzos.
SSRI's can also be used for anxiety, and their use can be short term in early sobriety.
I agree that you should be asking for a second opinion from a specialist. PLEASE get a referral from your PCP for a psych consult, preferably with someone who is also an addiction specialist.