Although people can get addicted to the meds, even when used properly, it's not their fault. There comes a time when some people feel they no longer need xanax, or anything else. Instead of tapering down with the help of a doctor, they just stop, and that's when they have problems. Yes, the body does become dependant on the meds to help you function properly, but I don't consider that addiction, because it's necessary at the time. If following a doctor's advice, and taking medication as prescribe makes a person an addict, then there's a bunch of other meds they shouldn't take either, like blood pressure meds. Those are another one that shouldn't be stopped abruptly. A doctor may substitute one kind for another, but it's never abruptly stopped. So does that mean that people on bp meds are addicted to them? Nope, but their body is dependent on them to help function properly. One med that I'll have to take for life is a thyroid medication. I can stop it abruptly, but then levels drop and in comes dizziness, weakness, fatigue, heart palpitations, thinning hair, and so much more. So technically I'm dependant on them, but not addicted.
There's so much stigma against mental health medications that it makes people who need them not want to take them. The junkies and true abusers can be thanked for that.
Don't jeopardize your health and happiness due to stigma, fear, and medication bashers. Follow what the doctor suggests for both getting on and off meds. Quality of life is the main focus, not just for you, but also for everyone around you. I'm one who did stop my antidepressants about 5 years ago, but kept my xanax on hand. The reason I stopped is because of all the stigma, the sighs, eye rolls, and being told to "pull yourself up by the bootstraps". I got it in my mind that having to use medication made me a weak person, and other garbage like that. All of that got me absolutely nowhere, because now it's 5 years later, and everything has returned with a vengeance, which is making consider going back on Zoloft. During the time off of it, I convinced myself that I was doing great. Sure, some days were great, but the bigger picture was that my walls were slowly closing in around me. I'm 45, and am now back to where I was at 23 when I first got diagnosed, square one. Please don't let this happen to you. Honestly, and truly take care of yourself, and be proud of it.