How Long Xanax Stays in Your System
Xanax is a prescription drug that has long since been effective against treating anxiety disorders. However, considering the surge of illegal Xanax use, especially among teens, drug tests have been developed in order to determine abuse.
But how long does Xanax stay in the system? Can your test show up positive, even if you are no longer the influence? This may depend on the test that is made, along with different factors.
What is Xanax?
Xanax is a benzodiazepine that is usually used to treat General Anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepines are effective against sleep disorders, seizures, muscle spasms, and general restlessness, depressing your central nervous system as it is doing so. Its potential for abuse is lower compared to other substances such as morphine or other prescription drugs, but it is still there, nonetheless.
In a standard dose, Xanax can produce a feeling of relaxation and can calm the nerves. However, taken in doses higher than it was recommended, it can lead to a euphoric high. The more substance is consumed, the higher the chances that you will get a positive test, even after the standard timeline has passed. If the substance is abused, it might remain for a longer time in your system.
Side Effects of Xanax
Depending on how much Xanax is used, you may experience a series of effects and side effects. If you take a slightly higher dose than it was recommended by the doctor, the chances are that you will be feeling dazed or otherwise unable to function like you normally would.
While Xanax is potent in providing anxiety relief, the following symptoms have also been associated with Xanax consumption:
- Drowsiness and a constant desire to sleep
- Overall numbness
- An inability to concentrate
- Increased saliva production
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Loss of coordination
For the most part, Xanax’s effects and side effects lessen once your body becomes accustomed to the drug. However, as you are building a tolerance, you may feel tempted to take more than you were prescribed.
How Long Until Xanax Leaves Your System
Xanax has a half-life of around 11 hours or slightly more, which means that it might take more than 24 hours until the drug is metabolized out of your body. With that in mind, its detection time is still dependent on the body area that gets tested. Here is when you are likely to get a negative result on your test:
- Blood – After 1 day
- Saliva – After 2.5 days
- Urine – After 4 days
- Hair – After 90 days
Even if you have technically stopped consuming Xanax and are no longer under its influence, previous Xanax consumption may still show up on a hair test. The detection time may differ from person to person, as everyone metabolizes Xanax differently.
How Long Do The Effects of Xanax Last?
While Xanax takes at least 24 hours to exit your blood, depending on the sample that gets tested, the Xanax effect typically lasts for about 4-6 hours. The drug will reach peak concentration in your body after around 1-2 hours, working at its full potential. From that point on, your metabolism starts breaking it down.
The more Xanax you take, the longer it will take for the substance to get out of the system. Benzodiazepine abuse may also depress your nervous system more than it is necessary to relieve the anxiety, causing depression associated with suicidal thoughts. If you notice these signs, it is advised to get help as soon as possible.
What Influences The Timeline?
For the most part, the faster your metabolic rate is, the faster you will be able to remove Xanax from your system. This is why younger people take less time to break down the drug, as their metabolism works at a faster rate. While Xanax has a half-life of 11.5 hours in a young adult, an elder person will show a half-life of 16.3 hours.
Obese people are also likely to retain Xanax in their bodies for a longer time. This may be due to various causes. For instance, it may be because they have slower metabolisms, or because they needed to take a higher dose than normal due to their weight. Because of this, it takes longer for the Xanax to exit the body.
Liver diseases, like the ones caused by alcohol addiction, can also slow down the rate at which Xanax is removed. The liver is the organ that metabolizes the body – so, without a proper-functioning liver, Xanax can have a half-life of 19.7 hours.
How Do You Treat and Remove Xanax Faster?
The faster the body can break down Xanax, the easier it will be to remove the substance out of the system. Doctors typically use “inducers” as part of their medical detox process. This can include carbamazepine, phenytoin, fosphenytoin, and topiramate (Topamax).
These drugs are not only prescribed in order to speed up the Xanax elimination process but also to reduce potential seizure activity. If Xanax has been used for a longer time, inpatient therapy may be recommended to prevent severe symptoms.
Individual therapy is also recommended. To prevent further misuse, the cause that required the use of Xanax in the first place needs to be addressed. Mood supplements may also be given during treatment.
How Can We Help?
At Real Deal, we can offer a variety of treatment methods in order to induce Xanax removal from your body. We can offer behavioral therapy, along with medical detox, to ensure a fast recovery.
Depending on how long Xanax was misused, we can offer both inpatient and outpatient therapy. Inpatient therapy is mostly recommended for long-term abusers, whereas outpatient is recommended for those who just started developing the addiction.
Xanax use can be very dangerous, as it can lead to tolerance and potential abuse. Once you realize you or someone you love has an addiction, contact us right away! We will help you through it so you can stay away from the drug.