Most Insurances Accepted!
Call Ardu Recovery Center Today
Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Benzodiazepines remain in your system between 3–30 days depending on the specific medication and testing method. Short-acting benzos, like Xanax, clear from blood within 1–3 days but can show in urine for up to 5 days. Long-acting varieties such as Valium remain detectable for 10–30 days in urine tests. Hair tests can detect all benzodiazepines for up to 90 days regardless of the type of benzo taken.
Our medical team guides you through benzo detox with precision-timed protocols tailored to your medication use. Break free from benzodiazepine dependence in our supportive environment where cutting-edge medical care meets holistic healing.
Benzodiazepines fall into two categories based on their half-life, which is the time it takes your body to eliminate half the drug from your bloodstream. This difference determines how frequently they’re dosed, which conditions they treat, and how long they remain detectable in drug tests. This classification explains why some benzos clear your system within days while others linger for weeks. Let’s explore what sets the two apart.
While a single dose of Xanax might clear your system in days, regular use of Valium can remain detectable for a month or more. These detection windows aren’t just theoretical. They have real implications for anyone undergoing drug testing for employment, legal requirements, or medical purposes.
The detection window for benzos depends on whether they are short-acting or long-acting. The testing method used also matters because each of them has distinct detection windows that vary significantly.
Urine tests are the most common screening methods. They detect short-acting benzos for 3–5 days after your last dose, while long-acting varieties remain detectable for 10–30 days. According to a 2018 study, chronic users of Valium may test positive for much longer periods because the drug and its metabolites accumulate in the body.
Blood testing provides a shorter detection window but offers more precise information about current active drug levels. Short-acting benzos clear from blood relatively quickly, usually within 3 days, while long-acting benzos remain detectable in blood samples for approximately a week.
Hair testing has an exceptionally long detection window. All benzodiazepines, regardless of whether they’re short or long-acting, can be detected in hair samples for up to 90 days. This extended timeframe means hair testing can identify long-term use patterns rather than recent consumption.
Saliva tests detect benzos for 1–10 days, which offers a quick view of recent drug use. Short-acting medications appear for up to 3 days, but long-acting ones show up to 10 days. These tests are used in roadside screenings and workplace testing because they’re fast and indicate current impairment better than urine tests. Despite their convenience, saliva tests are less common than urine screening because of their shorter detection window and sensitivity to oral contaminants.
These detection windows are general guidelines for standard doses. Many factors influence detection times.
If you’re ready to break free from benzodiazepine dependence, our medical detox provides 24/7 clinical supervision during the first days when withdrawal symptoms peak. Don’t let detection times or fear of withdrawal keep you trapped in dependence. Contact Ardu today and have a chat with our admissions team about our benzodiazepine treatment program.
Biology and usage patterns impact how long benzodiazepines stay in your system. What causes one person to test clean might leave another still testing positive days later.
These factors determine your detection window:
A Swedish study found many patients using multiple benzodiazepines at once. This complicates detection since each benzo has a different elimination timeline and together, they cause inconsistent or unexpected test results.
Alcohol, opioids, and some antidepressants can also affect and extend benzodiazepine detection windows. All these substances compete for the same liver enzymes, sometimes doubling the time benzos remain detectable. Polysubstance use creates complex medical challenges during detox because multiple withdrawal timelines overlap and interact, increasing risks and discomfort.
Ardu specializes in polysubstance detox with medical protocols to safely manage these overlapping withdrawal timelines and prevent dangerous complications that can occur when multiple sedative substances leave the system simultaneously.
Long-term benzodiazepine use changes your brain chemistry and bodily functions in ways that extend far beyond their intended therapeutic effects. It can cause serious physical and psychological changes. Here’s what happens when you take benzodiazepines for years:
Long-term use also creates a reservoir of the drug and its metabolites in your fatty tissues. Years of daily use leads to tolerance and altered liver enzyme function, sometimes doubling or tripling the time benzos remain detectable in blood and urine tests. Someone who’s taken benzos for years may test positive for weeks or even months after they stop, even when following a proper tapering schedule.
Overcoming benzodiazepine addiction requires a structured, multi-phase approach that addresses the physical and psychological aspects of dependence. At Ardu Recovery Center, we provide a full continuum of care. Our holistic and evidence-based methods facilitate a safe, supportive recovery process tailored to your needs.
Detox is the first step in recovering from a benzodiazepine addiction. There is a high risk of developing symptoms of benzo withdrawal, but our medically supervised detox program aims for your safety and comfort throughout the process.
Our detox services include:
Our goal is to provide a smooth, well-supported detox experience that prepares you for the next stages of recovery.
After detox, rehabilitation addresses the root causes of addiction and develops the skills needed for a lasting recovery. We offer residential and outpatient rehab programs and give you personalized care based on your recovery stage and personal responsibilities.
In our residential program, we are equipped for 24/7 medical and emotional support, intensive therapy sessions, and holistic recovery activities. This immersive environment removes outside triggers, enabling full focus on healing. If you’re transitioning from inpatient care or need continued support while maintaining work, school, or family obligations, our outpatient rehab center is at your disposal.
Addiction impacts loved ones as well. Our family therapy sessions help rebuild trust, improve communication, and educate family members on how to support your recovery.
Many individuals struggling with benzodiazepine addiction also experience underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Treating both conditions is challenging because substance use and mental health issues often reinforce each other.
Our dual diagnosis treatment takes an integrated approach. Through a combination of evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed counseling, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), we help you break free from the cycle of self-medication.
Whether starting your journey or transitioning from detox, Ardu provides the tools to overcome benzo addiction and reclaim your life. Reach out to us today to learn more about our personalized treatment options and let us help you build a brighter tomorrow.
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Urine testing detecting benzodiazepine use. Standard drug tests can detect common benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and temazepam. The detection window varies depending on the drug’s half-life, dose, frequency of use, and metabolism.
Some benzodiazepines have a longer benzodiazepine half-life and can be detected in urine for weeks. Others, like alprazolam or lorazepam, are eliminated more quickly and may be undetectable in a few days. False positives can occur due to certain prescription or over-the-counter medications including some antidepressants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The benzodiazepine withdrawal timeline depends on the drug’s half-life, dosage, frequency of use, and individual factors, like metabolism, body fat percentage, and impaired liver function.
Shorter half-life benzodiazepines, like Xanax or Ativan, cause withdrawal symptoms within 8–12 hours of the last dose, peaking around 1–4 days and lasting 1–2 weeks. Longer-acting benzos, like Valium, take longer to leave the system, so withdrawal may begin within 2–7 days and last several weeks.
Regular or high-dose users may experience protracted withdrawal symptoms such as severe anxiety, muscle spasms, and memory loss for months. Medical supervision and comprehensive detox programs can make the process safer and more manageable.
Benzo dependence can lead to digestive issues, commonly called benzo belly, which includes bloating, nausea, cramping, and discomfort. Benzodiazepines affect digestion and metabolism, slowing gut motility and causing disruptions. For most, these issues go away within a few days or weeks, but for some, impaired liver function or a slower metabolism can prolong the discomfort. The length of time benzodiazepines remain in the system and the duration of symptoms depend on the dose, frequency, and individual metabolism.
A Xanax hangover can cause extreme drowsiness, fatigue, memory loss, brain fog, dizziness, and even nausea. Since Xanax is a fast-acting benzodiazepine, its effects peak quickly, but when it wears off, people often feel sluggish and disoriented. The sudden drop in the drug’s levels can also trigger rebound anxiety and irritability, making it feel similar to a hangover from alcohol or other recreational drugs. Those who take high doses or use it frequently are at a higher risk of experiencing more intense symptoms, especially if they have a benzodiazepine use disorder.
A 250-microgram (0.25 mg) dose of Xanax is a low dose of benzodiazepines commonly prescribed for panic disorders and acute anxiety attacks. It enhances GABA activity in the brain, producing calmness, sedation, and anxiety reduction. Since Xanax has a half-life of 6–12 hours, this dose can take effect quickly, reaching its peak level within 0.5 to 2 hours and lasting a matter of hours.
Madeleine Pettersson Bergstrand, Olof Beck, Anders Helander, Urine analysis of 28 designer benzodiazepines by liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry, Clinical Mass Spectrometry, Volume 10, 2018, Pages 25-32, ISSN 2376-9998, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinms.2018.08.004.
Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, Sagrera CE, Delacroix BM, Abubakar T, Cornett EM, Kaye AM, Kaye AD. Benzodiazepines: Uses, Dangers, and Clinical Considerations. Neurol Int. 2021 Nov 10;13(4):594-607. doi: 10.3390/neurolint13040059. PMID: 34842811; PMCID: PMC8629021.
Does Ambien fall under benzos?
Are benzos and opioids similar drugs?
How to ease benzo withdrawal naturally
What makes benzodiazepines addictive?
The effects benzos have on the brain
