I became addicted to Benzodiapines during/following the death of my mother from Alzheimer's four years ago. I have always been "drug aware" --never used birth control pills, never took Estrogen, yet in that most difficult time of my life, a doctor gave me one little Ativan, said it would help me with the stress and from there, proceeded to Benzo Hell. It has taken me these four years to get down to 1. mg three times a day. Every .25 mg cut (every 2 weeks) is torture: heart palpitations, ears ringing, dizzy etc. I know I'm getting close but also as part of the withdrawal, anxiety forms which is what I took it for in the first place !! I'm trying to shout from the rooftops in every forum I can think of ----please be careful: do not take ANY benzo for longer than a couple of weeks. It has been my experience that doctors will prescribe anything just to get you out of their office. Whilst undergoing another Hellish experience the last three weeks (extraction of all my upper teeth and a plate), I cannot take, as a result of the tapering from Valium, any meds----you get the picture !! So, be aware folks !! Instead of reaching for aquick fix pill, go for long walks, drink some chamomile tea, listen to some music, etc. but DO NOT GO FOR THE PILLS !!