Am I just imagining it or Xanax is more effective if you use it this way?

I agree Xanax for anxiety or panic attacks, is better used an hour or an hour and a half before the stressful event. By then the self talk you are running in your head will have already started raising the adrenaline levels in your blood anyway. Xanax basically slows down brain activity, and interferes with learning ability. The danger is in going to a party and consuming alcohol. Both are central nervous system depressants in different ways, and mixed can have unpredictable dis inhibiting effects. As well as memory loss. Everyone has some social anxiety, and this is tied to the mechanisms which allow us to truly enjoy ourselves. Xanax is a drug of dependance, and the sudden discontinuation, or overuse can cause rebound anxiety. Treat with caution. If you are going to use it, then it is better before the peak of the anxiety is upon you. You will be less likely to take extra for results.