I find that, altho not a dicted, opiats help my anxiety more then xanax (alprazolam)? why would that be?

You have tolerance: Opiates cause euphoria, which would make you not care about being anxious. You probably have tolerance to xanax (alprazolam).

See below: It is possible that the anxiety is actually a withdrawal symptom from the opiates. Hence opiates work better for you on treating it. I would suggest talking to your prescribing physician about transitioning to other medications.

True with conditions: Opiates alleviate stress, pain and give a sense of well being and euphoria, exactly the reason for addiction, these feelings become shorter and shorter with each dose, needing more frequent and higher dosing on part of patient. Once used to you will start seeing withdrawal; anxiety, diarrhea, fever and change in bp. Xanax (alprazolam) is only temporary treatment of anxiety, ssri medication are superior.