Years ago, during a time of immeasurable stress, I went to my doctor and asked for a Xanax prescription. As he knew what was happening, he gave it to me. I took 5 mg every day. This is the minimum dosage.
Being one of those people who try to stay on top of everything, I had researched the drug as I do all drugs I take and knew the dangers. After three months, even though those circumstances had gotten worse, I decided to just stop taking it. I think I got every side effect in the book at once.
My doctor didn't think I was addicted since it had only been 3 months and I was on the minimum dosage. He also said he didn't think it would be a particularly bad thing if I never stopped taking it. (I never went back to him after that comment.)
At any rate, I weaned myself off of it by halving the dosage every couple weeks. It's a wonderful/horrible drug and I'll never take that class of medication again.