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Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are a class of prescription medications often used to treat a range of medical conditions. These include anxiety, insomnia, and muscle spasms, as well as being prescribed for panic disorders and certain seizure conditions. 

While effective for short-term use, benzodiazepines can be habit-forming and may lead to dependence, especially if they’re taken over extended periods.

The length of time these medications remain detectable can impact decisions around detox, treatment planning, and the process of recovery.

We’ll explore the factors that influence how the body metabolizes benzodiazepines, how long they can remain detectable, and what this means for those seeking recovery.

What Are Benzos?

Benzodiazepines are medications primarily prescribed to treat conditions related to the central nervous system (CNS). 

These medications work by affecting neurotransmitters– specifically gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits neural activity. 

By enhancing GABA’s effects, benzodiazepines help produce calming effects on the brain and body, making them effective for treating various mental health and physical conditions.

Some of the most commonly prescribed of these medicines include:

• Xanax (Alprazolam) – Can be prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders.
• Valium (Diazepam) – Used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.
• Ativan (Lorazepam) – Prescribed for anxiety insomnia, and as a pre-surgical sedative.

Benzos are particularly effective in managing conditions like anxiety and panic disorders, where they work quickly to provide relief by calming excessive nerve activity. They are also used for muscle relaxation, managing insomnia, and, in some cases, controlling seizures. 

Factors That Affect Benzos Metabolism

The length of time benzodiazepines stay in your system can vary greatly depending on several personal and drug-related factors. 

Understanding these variables can help clarify why some people may metabolize benzodiazepines faster than others. 

Here are the key factors that influence how the body processes benzos:

Personal Factors

• Metabolic Rate and Liver Function: Your metabolism plays a role in how fast or slow your body processes substances, including medications like benzodiazepines. A faster metabolism typically means quicker elimination from the system. The liver is largely responsible for breaking down these drugs, so individuals with liver dysfunction or impaired liver health may experience slower metabolism, causing the drug to stay in their system longer.
• Body Mass and Hydration Levels: People with a higher body mass may store drugs in their fat cells, leading to a slower elimination process, while those with lower body fat may metabolize drugs more quickly. Additionally, hydration levels can impact drug metabolism—dehydration can slow down the body’s ability to process substances effectively, causing longer retention of benzos.
• Age and Sex: As people age, their liver function and metabolism tend to slow down, which may lead to benzodiazepines staying in their system for longer periods. Additionally, gender differences can play a role in drug metabolism. Generally, women tend to metabolize medications more slowly than men, which could result in a longer presence of benzodiazepines in the body.

Benzodiazepine Type

Not all benzodiazepines are the same, and each type has its own half-life, which impacts how long they stay in the system.

• Short-acting benzodiazepines (like Xanax) have a shorter half-life, typically between 6 to 20 hours, so they are cleared from the body more quickly.
• Long-acting benzodiazepines (like Valium and Librium) have longer half-lives, ranging from 20 to 100 hours. This means they stay in the body for a longer period of time before being fully eliminated.

Usage Patterns

• One-Time Use vs. Chronic Use: The frequency and duration of benzodiazepine use significantly influence how long the drug remains in the system. A one-time use will generally result in the drug leaving the body faster compared to someone who has been using benzos regularly. Chronic use, especially over a long period, can cause an accumulation of the drug in the body, leading to extended detection times.
• Tolerance and Dependence: Those who use benzodiazepines frequently or are dependent on them may find that their body metabolizes the drug differently due to changes in tolerance. This can also impact how long the substance is detectable in urine, blood, or saliva tests.

How Long Do Benzos Stay in Different Tests?

The detection window for benzodiazepines depends on the type of test being used. Different drug testing methods can detect benzos for varying lengths of time based on the drug’s half-life and how the body processes it.

• Urine testing is one of the most common methods for detecting drugs, including benzodiazepines. Short-acting benzodiazepines are typically detectable for 1 to 4 days after use, while long-acting benzos can be detected for up to 7 days or longer. The detection window depends on the specific type of benzodiazepine, as well as individual factors such as metabolism and dosage.
• Blood tests have a shorter detection window than urine tests. Benzodiazepines are usually detectable in blood for 1 to 2 days after use. However, because they are more invasive and expensive, blood tests are not as commonly used for routine drug screening. They are more often used in emergencies to assess recent drug use.
• Saliva tests are another method for detecting drugs in the system. They typically show results 1 to 2 days after benzodiazepine use. Due to their convenience and noninvasive nature, saliva tests are often used for quick, on-site testing. However, they have a shorter window of detection than a urine test. 
• Hair Tests: Hair tests have the longest detection window, with the ability to detect benzodiazepines for up to 90 days after use. Since hair tests detect drug use over a longer period, they are commonly used in situations where chronic drug use is suspected, such as in probation or long-term treatment programs.

Do Benzos Show Up on a Drug Test?

Benzodiazepines are typically tested for in comprehensive drug panels, especially in workplace or clinical drug testing settings. 

The likelihood of benzodiazepines showing up on a drug test depends on the test type and the substances being screened.

• 5-Panel Drug Tests: A standard 5-panel drug test typically screens for the most common illicit drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). Benzodiazepines are not typically included in the standard 5-panel test, but they may be detected if a specific request is made for drug testing that provides for benzos.
• 10-Panel Drug Tests: The 10-panel drug test is more comprehensive and includes testing for benzodiazepines alongside other drugs such as barbiturates, methadone, and propoxyphene. This test is commonly used in workplace screenings, probation programs, and rehabilitation centers to detect the presence of multiple substances, including benzos.

What Happens During Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be a challenging and sometimes dangerous process, especially for individuals who have used the drug for a long period or at high doses. 

When someone abruptly stops taking benzodiazepines, the body can experience a range of withdrawal symptoms due to the sudden disruption of the drug’s calming effects on the central nervous system.

Common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Irritability and mood swings
• Insomnia
• Tremors or shaking
• Sweating
• Seizures (in severe cases)

How Long Does it Take to Detox from Benzos?

The detox process from benzodiazepines depends on several factors, including the type of benzo used, the individual’s health, and the length of time they have been using the drug. 

For those with a dependency on benzodiazepines, detox typically takes place over the course of several days to a few weeks.

The detox timeline generally includes the following:

• Initial Phase (Days 1-3): The first few days are often the most intense, especially for individuals using short-acting benzos. Withdrawal symptoms begin to set in as the body processes the drug out of the system.
• Acute Phase (Days 4-7): Symptoms may peak during this phase, with anxiety, insomnia, and irritability being the most common. Medical detox programs often use medications to help manage these symptoms and, at the same time, reduce the risk of complications.
• Post-Acute Withdrawal (Weeks 2-4): Some people may continue to experience milder symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating for weeks after stopping benzos.

Medical detox programs are critical during benzodiazepine withdrawal, as they provide safe, supervised care to help manage symptoms and ensure a successful and safe recovery. 

Detox programs often use tapering protocols to gradually reduce the dosage of benzodiazepines, which can help ease the process and minimize the risk of severe symptoms.

Find Help for Benzodiazepine Addiction Today

Medical support is essential for anyone undergoing benzodiazepine detox to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and effectively. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with benzodiazepine dependence, it’s crucial to seek professional help to ensure a safe and successful recovery process.

At Moving Mountains Recovery, we provide comprehensive detox and recovery programs tailored to the individual’s needs. Reach out to our team today for help with benzodiazepine detox and to start your journey toward long-term recovery.