Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a class of medications commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. The length of time that benzos stay in your system can vary depending on various factors such as the type of benzodiazepine, dosage, frequency of use, individual metabolism, age, and liver and kidney function.
Most benzos have a relatively short half-life, which means that they can be quickly eliminated from the body. For example, the half-life of alprazolam (Xanax) is approximately 11 hours, and the half-life of lorazepam (Ativan) is approximately 14 hours. However, some longer-acting benzos like diazepam (Valium) can have a half-life of up to 48 hours.
In general, benzos can be detected in blood tests for up to 48 hours after the last dose, and in urine tests for up to 7-10 days after the last dose. However, detection times can vary depending on individual factors such as age, weight, metabolism, and liver and kidney function.
It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding the dosage and frequency of use, and to avoid abruptly stopping the medication as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. If you have concerns about how long benzos will stay in your system, it is best to consult with your healthcare provider.
When someone takes a benzodiazepine, their brain changes how it responds to gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter that calms the central nervous system. Benzodiazepines attach to the same receptors as GABA and cause the same effects. This increases the inhibitory effect of GABA, leading to calming and sedative effects.
The brain becomes used to these effects and starts how long benzos to function normally. As tolerance builds, people need larger doses to achieve the desired effects. Health-conscious individuals should be aware of the risks associated with taking benzodiazepines, especially if they have a history of addiction.
Drug addicts are especially vulnerable to benzos addiction and should avoid them altogether. If someone you know is struggling with an addiction, many resources are available to help them get on the road to recovery.
Benzodiazepines are typically only meant for short-term use, as they can be addictive and cause other problems when used for long periods. So, how long do they stay in your system?
Some benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), can have a shorter half-life of 6-12 hours. Others, such as diazepam (Valium), can have a longer half-life of 24-48 hours. The length of time the drug remains in your system is also determined by how often you take it. Those who take benzodiazepines regularly may find they linger in the body for extended periods.
NCBI produced a table that shows the halflife of different benzodiazepines:
| Drug | Approximate half-life (hours) | Dose of oral benzodiazepine approximately equivalent to diazepam 5 mg |
|---|---|---|
| Short- to intermediate-acting benzodiazepines | ||
| Triazolam | 1–3 | 0.25 mg |
| Oxazepam | 4–15 | 15 mg |
| Temazepam | 5–15 | 10 mg |
| Lorazepam | 12–16 | 1 mg |
| Bromazepam | 20 | 3 mg |
| Alprazolam | 6–25 | 0.5 mg |
| Flunitrazepam | 20–30 | 0.5 mg |
| Nitrazepam | 16–48 | 5 mg |
| Clobazam | 17–49 | 10 mg |
| Long-acting benzodiazepines (includes effects of active metabolites) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Clonazepam | 22–54 | 0.5 mg |
| Diazepam | 20–80 | 5 mg |
| Z-drugs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zolpidem | 2.4 | 10 mg |
| Zopiclone | 5.2 | 7.5 mg |
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The Benzodiazepine blood tests are used to screen for the use of drugs in people who are health conscious or who may be drug addicts. Benzodiazepines are drugs that act on the CNS to produce a calming effect. They are commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.
However, they can also be abused. The benzodiazepine blood test measures the level of these drugs in your blood. A high level may indicate that you are taking more of the drug than you should or are addicted to it. If you are an addict, getting help to recover and live a healthy life is vital.
A saliva test for Benzodiazepine is a quick and easy way to test for the presence of the drug in your system. The test works by taking a sample of your saliva, which is then tested for the presence of Benzodiazepine. If the drug is found in your saliva, it will trigger a positive result on the test.
The test is very simple and can be done at home with a few supplies. You will need to provide a small saliva sample, which can be collected by swabbing your cheek or using a cotton swab.
Once you’ve obtained your sample, transfer it into the tube and close it. Then, you wait for the results. A positive result will indicate the presence of Benzodiazepine in your system, while a negative result will mean that the drug is not present. The saliva test for Benzodiazepine is an easy and convenient way to test for the presence of the drug in your system.
The term “benzodiazepines” refers to a variety of medicines that are both lawful and unlawful. This class of drugs can be found in hair samples up to 3 months after last use. This makes hair tests an invaluable tool for health-conscious individuals and drug addicts in recovery, as they can give them a clear picture of their current drug use.
A hair test can also be used to screen for alcohol substance abuse, as it can detect the presence of ethanol in the hair. Ethanol is the active ingredient in alcohol, and it can be detected in hair samples up to 90 days after last use. This makes hair tests an invaluable tool for health-conscious individuals and alcoholics in recovery, as they can provide a clear picture of their recent alcohol consumption.
Urine tests are a common way to check for a variety of health issues, as anybody who has ever been to the doctor’s office knows. Many individuals, however, are unaware that these tests may be used to uncover drug abuse. In particular, benzodiazepines are often detectable in urine for up to 72 hours after last use.
This makes them ideal for tests designed to screen for drug use, as they can help to identify even occasional users. Health care professionals often use urine tests to screen for benzodiazepine use in patients at risk for addiction and those who have already been diagnosed with an addiction. In addition, these tests may also be used to monitor the compliance of patients taking benzodiazepines as part of their addiction treatment plan.
The first step is to understand how the body metabolizes the drug. The benzo is broken down in the liver and then excreted in the urine. The drug leaves the body completely every 30 hours, which means it takes about 30 hours to remove half of the drug from the system.
This means it can take up to 5 days for the drug to be eliminated entirely from the body which is a longer time period than opiates like fentanyl. There are several methods to speed up the elimination process. For example, drinking plenty of fluids will help to flush the drug out of the system. Exercise can also help to speed up metabolism and eliminate the drug from the body.
Finally, saunas or steam rooms can help sweat, which will also help remove the drug from the body. It is not medically advisable to try and detox on your own from benzodiazepines or to try and speed up the process from removing them from your system. Benzo withdrawal is dangerous and can result in seizures or protracted withdrawal symptoms if not handled properly.
People who want to live healthier lifestyles are always looking for ways to detox their bodies. The easiest solution is to go through Benzo detox at a medical facility that can help with a proper taper using medicines to help ease the symptoms associated with withdrawal and also provide therapy throughout the process to help with relapse prevention. This process can be used to rid the body of toxins and impurities and is thought to help improve overall health and well-being.
However, before beginning any detox program, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure that it is the right choice for you. Additionally, those who are struggling with a drug addiction should not attempt to detox without the supervision of a qualified medical professional.
Withdrawal symptoms for benzodiazepines (benzos) can vary in severity and duration depending on individual factors such as the type of benzodiazepine, the length of use, the dosage, and how the medication was taken. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when a person stops using benzodiazepines abruptly or significantly reduces their dose.
Some common withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines include:
The severity of these symptoms can range from mild to severe and can last for several days or even weeks. Long-acting benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) can have a longer withdrawal period and more protracted symptoms compared to short-acting benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax).
There are ways to beat drug testing, but they are not foolproof. If you’re struggling with addiction, consult with qualified medical professionals before starting the detoxification process.
There are ways to beat drug testing, but they are not foolproof. If you’re struggling with addiction, consult with qualified medical professionals before starting the detoxification process.
There are ways to beat drug testing, but they are not foolproof. If you’re struggling with addiction, consult with qualified medical professionals before starting the detoxification process.
There are ways to beat drug testing, but they are not foolproof. If you’re struggling with addiction, consult with qualified medical professionals before starting the detoxification process.
There are ways to beat drug testing, but they are not foolproof. If you’re struggling with addiction, consult with qualified medical professionals before starting the detoxification process.
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Kroll DS, Nieva HR, Barsky AJ, Linder JA. (2016). Benzodiazepines are Prescribed More Frequently to Patients Already at Risk for Benzodiazepine-Related Adverse Events in Primary Care. J Gen Intern Med, 31(9):1027-34.
Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Drug Scheduling.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Services. (2021). Results from the 2020 National Health Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables.
Kilpatrick, G.J. (2021). Remimazolam: Non-Clinical and Clinical Profile of a New Sedative/Anesthetic Agent. Pharmacol., 12.
Sachdeva A, Choudhary M, Chandra M. (2015). Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: Benzodiazepines and Beyond. J Clin Diagn Res, 9(9):VE01-VE07.
NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657308/table/ta/
Medical Advice Disclaimer
Magnified Health Systems aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
Dr. Bickley graduated from U.C. Irvine with honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key International Honor Society, Cum Laude. He has been featured on national radio and print media. He is also a frequent lecturer at National Conferences. He holds an A.S. degree in Drug & Alcohol Studies, and two B.A. degrees in Criminology & Psychology, and masters and doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. He is a licensed California Drug & Alcohol Counselor Level II, a licensed Clinical Supervisor and is certified in treating Eating Disorders.
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