I am an ex opiate and benzo user.(At most I have taken 30 mg of klonapin in one day and have previously abused Xanax before as well) I am afraid my tolerance will go back to where it was and the benzos will stop working very soon. I am now trying to manage my catatonic anxiety/panic disorder. I tried klonapin for 3 years and it was a slow downward spiral, which ended in me drinking 1.5 liters of whiskey every day for all three years. I have now given up drinking an now take 3 1mg Ativan a day along with a mood stabilizer. My concern is that the Ativan has a very dull reaction and doesn't seem to help with my appetite and rapid heart rate. I took 2mg of Xanax last night and skipped my Ativan and the results were mindblowing. I got excellent sleep, ate more than I have in months, and still half way through my work day I am in a positive mood and my productivity is far beyond what is has been. My question is if I substitute Xanax instead of Ativan here and there(approximately once or twice a week), would this be better than just asking my Dr. to give me Xanax instead.(which is what I did in the first place and got Ativan instead.