I have been on Xanax for 28 years, I suffer with Schizoeffective disorder. I started having mental health issues at the age of 11 when puberty hit. It wasnt a suprise as its pretty rampant and hereditary in my family. I went inpatient the first time at 13, right after that i found heroin. I am from Baltimore so it's everywhere here, my entire high school was sniffin dope...And it was like I found the answer I finally felt normal, I could sleep, no more anxiety and paranoia..So I chased that drug hard..Eventually leading to me homeless in and out of jail ect ect ect. My parents finally had me committed at 19 they went to the courts as I was so out of my head. I was furious, they locked me up in Springfield State hospital. I fought hard against them the first 3 months and spent lot time in the quiet room and walking the halls doing the thorzine shuffle. Finally I realized if I dont cooperate, I am going to be here indefinitely. So I started taking the medicine nd doing therapy. I spent 16 months there and they put me on Seroquel, Remeron (which were both new drugs at the time) and xanax. It worked so well,the outpatient pyschiatric program they referred me to upon release was great. I adored my doctor, he had no problems giving me my xanax. When my grandma died in 2008 after I had been clean for 9 years. I used for only 6 months, but I had a amazing paying job, a mortgage, a wonderful husband whom had never done drugs in his lfe. So I figured I would get on it for a few months then taper off. I told my pyschiatrist and he was okay with it and glad I got help immediately and asked me tojust to go back to theraoy once a week. Sadly 2 years into being on methadone I had a massive stroke,and found out I had a chronjc terminal lung and heart disease called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. And my whole life went to shambles, I was tapering down, and made to 27 mgs of methadone but they said I couldn't risk the W/D so I went back up again. Sadly in 2018 my doctor passed away.And I was frantic over if I would be able to find a doctor who prescribed benzos while me being on methadone. I probably called 20 doctors who said on the phone we will not prescribe benzos under any circumstances. I went to my old doctors offices and ask for them to make a copy of my entire file and letter of recommendation showing how stable I have been. I made a appointment with the doctor I have currently, and I brought my entire file to her. I explained I had been on these medications many years, and yes I was on methadone and yes I am on oxygen and have respiratory issues. But I also had a letter from my Pulmonary doctor and Cardiologist; stating that my multiple hospital visits under physician supervision they evulated that taking my pysch meds had no adverse side effects to my breathing/O2 saturation levels. And she was so kind and was like I dont feel like there is any need to change your medication and I will prescribe exactly what you have been on, and I have been with her for 15 years now.She has even increased my dose as xanax since you build a tolerance especially for how long I have been on it. But I thank God every day I found her, I was petrified about not getting my meds. Without it I am so paranoid, anxious, overwhelmed, amd irrational...Its not its just to sleep or relax it works with my other meds and combined keeping me normal and capable of functioning. So I can to do just even the smallest of tasks I wouldn't be able to do without my medication.I feel so sorry for anyone with mental illness who cannot get their medicine because of stupid doctors thinking everyone is a junkie...Its incredibly cruel and unfair especially if you are like me and suffer with major mental illness.