I was on Effexor for 3 years. The withdrawls were awful when I tried to go off. I am effexor free and fine now. The secret - you have to do it slowly. It took 3 months to be free and clear. Divide the capsule contents in half take that for a week or 2. Divide a capsule into a quarter and take for a week or 2. Just keep dividing the contents until there is no more to divide. You will be fine it just takes time!!!