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by DanBC 2653 days ago
In the US.

In eg the UK it's somewhat difficult to get xanax, but similar meds should only be used short term.

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/alprazolam.html

> Avoid prolonged use (and abrupt withdrawal thereafter); debilitated patients (reduce dose) (in adults); elderly (reduce dose) (in adults); history of alcohol dependence or abuse; history of drug dependence or abuse; myasthenia gravis; personality disorder (within the fearful group—dependent, avoidant, obsessive-compulsive) may increase risk of dependence; respiratory disease

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs53/chapter/Quality-statem...

> NICE guidance provides recommendations on pharmacological therapies for anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines are associated with tolerance and dependence, and antipsychotics are associated with a number of adverse effects. Therefore they should not be used routinely to treat anxiety disorders.

> Healthcare professionals should be aware of circumstances in which benzodiazepines and antipsychotics may be appropriate, such as short-term care and anxiety disorder crises.

Here's a website showing that alprazolam is not prescribed in the community:

https://openprescribing.net/analyse/#org=CCG&numIds=0401020A...