Hello, Xanax (alprazolam) is a medication, as you probably already know, to treat certain pathologies such as: anxiety disorders, panic disorder, anxiety disorders caused by depression, and also sleep disorders. It is a drug that must be used with great caution, because it produces in your body, like other drugs (not all) tolerance and dependence. What does this mean? Tolerance, in simple words, is when your body needs, over time, a greater dose of said drug to produce the same desired effect. Dependence, better said addiction, is when your body needs, literally, said drug to be calm, otherwise it would develop symptoms of abstinence. As for the most common side effects: drowsiness, feeling tired, lack of balance or coordination, memory disorders. If it makes you feel better, you re really right about the abrupt withdrawal of the drug. The drug must be, and the most advisable thing is to withdraw the drug little by little, that is to say, to diminish the dose with the passage of time until it is completely suspended. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Luis Alberto Urdaneta Arenas, General & Family Physician