I take 1.5mg. per day, in 1mg. XR and .5mg XR.  I have taken it for several years.  I can say without reservation that it is the only "front line" drug that has ever extinguished my GAD and panic attacks with a high degree of efficacy, probably well over 90%.  Cymbalta put me on a ceiling.  I have run through all the standard anti-depressants.  The only thing that ever worked better was Serzone, which was pulled years ago for safety reasons and never came back.   As I understand it, the risk for abuse is there.  I will also have to deal with rebound issues if I titrate off of it.  That's life.  I don't drink alcohol or use recreational drugs, in any amount.  I have not drank since 1996, so I don't feel as though I am distorting the efficacy or legal intention of this product.   My dose has actually decreased from 2mg. per day to 1.5mg. per day.  I am very stable at that dose and do not "watch the clock" for my evening dose, etc.  I think that I am fortunate in that regard.  I do put up with the minor side effects such as memory issues and dry mouth.  Actually, at 2mg. per day, those effects became noticeable and began to creep towards the area of impairment.  I have never had a serious reaction.  My liver functions are tested regularly and stay in the normal range.   For me, Xanax ER was best split inot an AM and PM dose, so I would say that for me I need to keep the plasma levels stable and therapeutic by dosing every 12 hours.