Anyway, hope somebody finds this info useful, and if anybody has any tips on more effective ways to use it or any ideas on why it wouldn't last as long the third time, I'd love to hear them.
Not sure if you're still around, as your post is from about 4 months ago, but I can fully empathize with your situation. I had a very similar period in my life a few years ago. Couldn't bring myself to even talk to friends I'd known since childhood. Rarely ever left the house. Etc. Just know that it WILL get better bro (if it hasn't already). I speak from experience. The past few years of my life have been FILLED with ups and downs, highs and lows. But I can honestly say I'm MUCH BETTER now than I was then. It just takes a combination of finding the right medication, pushing yourself to do things you don't want to do, and possibly even some psychotherapy (although it's not for everybody).
Anyways, to try to answer some of your questions: I understand your concern about tolerance and addiction. However, sometimes daily dosing IS the best way to increase your quality of life. I have been RX'd Klonopin, Xanax, and Ativan in the past. In my personal experience, I've found Klonopin to be the most helpful, with Xanax as a close second, and Ativan was essentially uesless for me. The fact of the matter however is that NOTHING will ever COMPLETELY "cure" your anxiety. It's caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that can only be somewhat balanced out with medication.
The thing about Klonopin is it has a VERY long half-life, so using it on a daily schedule, IMO, is the BEST way to prevent the "wearing off by the next morning" that you mentioned. Very similar to the need for SSRI anti-depressants to be used on a strict daily schedule in order to "assimilate" them into your system, and allow their brain-chemistry-altering effects to be at work 24/7.
Now, even though I personally have never had too much of a problem with developing a tolerance for benzos, it is CERTAINLY a possibility for some people. So I would recommend you try out this type of treatment regiment under the strict monitoring of your doctor. But it can definitely be MOST effective if you are careful about it. In fact, it is probably the main reason why I have been able to reduce what was once EXTREMELY SEVERE anxiety to a MUCH more manageable level.
All in all, the medication really just allows you to feel comfortable enough to take on the task of rebuilding those relationships with friends/family that you have lost. Once you have done that, you will begin to feel MUCH more comfortable in your own skin, and you most likely will find that the medication is almost no longer needed anymore. Seriously. It's all a mental thing! Once you can begin to break out of the prison that is your own mind, you will start to wonder why you were ever so anxious all the time in the first place...
Well, I know that was a pretty long post, and I may have gone off-topic a little bit, but I hope it helps you in your battle with the mental demon anxiety can be. Even if just a little...