If you’ve been prescribed a benzodiazepine, or if you’re concerned about your use, it’s natural to wonder how long benzodiazepines stay in your body. Whether you’re facing a drug test or just trying to understand the effects, knowing the detection times for benzos is a critical piece of the puzzle. This is a question we hear often, and it’s one that doesn’t have a simple, one-size-fits-all answer. The truth is, it depends on many factors, from the type of benzo you took to your own unique body chemistry. We’re here to walk you through it with clarity and compassion, so you have the information you need.
What are benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, often called “benzos,” are a class of medications that act as central nervous system depressants. Think of them as turning down the volume on an overactive brain. They work by enhancing the effects of a natural calming chemical in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This process helps reduce nerve activity, which is why they are effective for treating conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Some of the most well-known benzos include Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin.
While they can be very helpful when used as prescribed for short-term relief, they also carry a significant risk of dependence and misuse. Benzos are categorized based on how long their effects last, which also influences how long they stay in your system. This is often determined by the drug’s half-life, or the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from your body.
| Type | Approx. Half-Life | Examples | Clinical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-Acting | 1–12 hours | Midazolam (Versed) | Works quickly and leaves the body fast, but has a higher risk of withdrawal symptoms. |
| Intermediate-Acting | 12–40 hours | Alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam (Ativan) | Offers a balance between effectiveness and duration, commonly used for anxiety. |
| Long-Acting | 40–250 hours | Diazepam (Valium), Clonazepam (Klonopin) | Stays in the body much longer, leading to a lower risk of severe withdrawal but a higher chance of accumulation. |
Due to their potential for dependence, it’s important to understand the risks. For example, some people wonder, “is Xanax addictive?” The reality is that even when taken as directed, benzodiazepine prescriptions like Xanax can lead to physical dependence over time.
How long do benzos stay in your urine, hair, saliva, and blood?
When it comes to drug testing, the type of test used is the biggest factor in determining whether a benzodiazepine can be detect benzos. Each testing method has a unique “detection window,” which is the period during which the substance can be identified in your body. Some tests can only spot very recent use, while others can provide a history stretching back for months. Understanding these differences is key to knowing what to expect from any drug screening process.
Urine
Urine testing is the most common method for drug screening, and it can typically detect benzodiazepines for up to 10 days after the last use. For someone who uses benzos heavily or frequently, especially long acting benzodiazepines like Valium, this detection window can extend to 30 days or more. The reliability of these tests, combined with their non-invasive nature and cost-effectiveness, is why they are so widely used. However, factors like your hydration level, metabolism, and the frequency of your use can all influence the results. If you want to learn more about the specifics of drug testing, you can find helpful information on how to pass a drug test and the factors involved.
Blood
Blood tests have a much shorter detection window for benzos, usually up to 24 hours after the last dose. While this method is very accurate for identifying recent use and determining the specific amount of the drug in your system, it’s less common for routine screening because the window of detection is so brief. Blood tests are typically reserved for situations where confirming immediate impairment is necessary.
Saliva
Saliva testing is another method for detecting recent drug use. Benzodiazepines can be found in saliva for approximately 2 to 3 days after the last use. This type of testing is non-invasive and provides quick results, making it a popular choice in some workplace and roadside testing scenarios. Its detection window is longer than a blood test but shorter than a urine test, offering a good balance for identifying recent consumption.
Hair
For a long-term look at drug use history, a hair follicle test is the most effective method. Benzodiazepines can be detected in a hair sample for up to 90 days. When you use a drug, its metabolites enter your bloodstream and become incorporated into your growing hair follicles. As the hair grows, it creates a timeline of substance use. This makes hair testing a powerful tool for understanding long-term patterns, though it can’t detect very recent use from the past few days.
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Individual factors that influence how long benzos stay in your system
The detection times we’ve discussed are just general guidelines. The exact amount of time benzodiazepines stay in your system is unique to you and depends on several personal factors. It’s not a simple calculation, but rather a combination of your body’s characteristics and your usage habits. Here are some of the key factors that determine how long benzos remain detectable:
- Type of Benzodiazepine. As we saw earlier, long-acting benzos like Valium can stay in the body for weeks, while short-acting ones are eliminated in a matter of days.
- Dosage and frequency of use. Higher doses and more frequent use lead to the drug accumulating in your body, which extends the detection time. A single dose will clear out much faster than the same drug used daily for months.
- Age. Your metabolism naturally slows as you get older. An older adult might clear a benzodiazepine from their system much more slowly than a younger person, sometimes taking up to twice as long.
- Metabolism and body weight. People with faster metabolic rates will process and eliminate drugs more quickly. Since benzos are stored in fat cells, individuals with a higher body fat percentage may retain the drug for longer.
- Liver and kidney function. Your liver and kidneys are the powerhouses of drug metabolism and excretion. If they aren’t functioning at their best due to a health condition, benzos and their byproducts can linger in your system for much longer. Research from the National Institutes of Health highlights that liver function is crucial for processing these substances.
Peak levels and benzodiazepine half-life
To really understand detection times, it helps to know about “half-life.” The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for your body to eliminate half of the initial dose. It’s a useful measure for figuring out how long a substance will stick around. As a general rule, it takes about 5.5 half-lives for a drug to be almost completely cleared from your system. So, a benzo with a long half-life will have a much longer detection window because it takes more time for your body to break it down and remove its metabolites.
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Benzodiazepine withdrawal
If you’ve been taking benzodiazepines for an extended period, your body can become physically dependent on them. Stopping suddenly can trigger withdrawal, which can be not only uncomfortable but also dangerous. Common withdrawal symptoms include severe anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and in serious cases, life-threatening seizures. Because of this risk associated with various medical conditions , you should never try to stop taking benzos on your own. A medically supervised detox is the safest way to manage withdrawal symptoms and begin the journey to recovery.
The dangers of benzo misuse are even greater when they are combined with other substances. The FDA has issued strong warnings about the risks of mixing benzos with opioids, as both are depressants that slow breathing. It’s a risk that cannot be overstated and highlights the importance of seeking professional help for benzodiazepine dependence.
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Getting help for benzodiazepine addiction
Understanding how long benzos stay in your system is an important step, but it’s just one part of the bigger picture. If you’re worried about your use or its impact on your life, taking action is what truly matters. Recovery from benzodiazepine dependence is possible, and you don’t have to face it alone. At Red Ribbon Recovery Indiana, we offer compassionate, evidence-based outpatient treatment designed to help you regain control and build a healthier future.
For many residents across Indiana, our telehealth services provide a flexible and accessible path to recovery, allowing you to get the help you need from the comfort of your home. Taking that first step can feel overwhelming, but it’s the most important one you can make.
Learning about detection times might be what brought you here, but we hope you leave with a sense of hope and a clear path forward. If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine use, please know that compassionate, professional help is available. You can start by calling us for a confidential assessment at (317) 707-9848. Our team at Red Ribbon Recovery Indiana is here to support you every step of the way. Feel free to contact us to learn more about available programs and begin your journey toward healing today.
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Admitting you have a substance abuse problem and asking for help is not always easy. If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction, alcohol addiction or another substance use disorder, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at (317) 707-9848 to learn about resources in your area or reach out to our team for personalized treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Detox
How do benzos work?
Benzodiazepines, often called benzos, work by calming your central nervous system. They achieve this by boosting the effects of GABA, a natural calming chemical in your brain. Think of GABA as the brain’s brake pedal, and benzos help press that pedal down to reduce nerve activity.
This is why these medications are effective for treating conditions like anxiety, panic attacks, or insomnia. By slowing things down, they can help you feel more relaxed and at ease.
How long do benzos stay in the system for a drug test?
The detection time for benzos really depends on the type of drug test being used. For a urine test, which is very common, they can be found for about 3 to 10 days, but heavy use can extend this to a month. Blood and saliva tests have much shorter windows, usually only detecting use within the last 1 to 3 days.
Hair follicle testing offers the longest look back, identifying benzodiazepines for up to 90 days. These are general timelines, and personal factors will always influence the exact detection window.
How long do benzodiazepines remain in the body?
There isn’t one simple answer, as the timeline varies greatly from person to person. The most important factors include the type of benzodiazepine taken (long-acting vs. short-acting), your dosage, and how frequently you use it. Your unique metabolism, age, and liver health also play a major role in how quickly your body processes the drug.
A single dose might be clear in a few days, while chronic use of a long-acting benzo like Valium could mean it stays in your body for several weeks.
Why test for benzos?
Testing for benzodiazepines is usually done for reasons of safety and health. Employers might require a drug screening for certain jobs to ensure a safe work environment. In a medical context, doctors may test to monitor a patient’s use of a prescription or to prevent dangerous interactions with other drugs, such as opioids.
These tests are also a common and supportive tool in addiction treatment programs. They help ensure accountability and provide a clear picture of a person’s progress in recovery.
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Sources
- Drug Enforcement Administration. (April 2021). Benzodiazepines. U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/benzodiazepines
- Edinoff, A. N., et al. (November 10, 2021). Benzodiazepines: Uses, Dangers, and Clinical Considerations. Cureus, 13(11), e19687. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8629021/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (1999). Appendix B. Urine Collection and Testing Procedures and Alternative Testing Methods. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64092/
- Office of Justice Programs. (n.d.). Accuracy and Reliability of Urine Drug Tests. National Criminal Justice Reference Service. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/accuracy-and-reliability-urine-drug-tests
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (January 24, 2017). Benzodiazepines. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548298/
About the content
Written by: Carli Simmonds. Carli Simmonds holds a Master of Arts in Community Health Psychology from Northeastern University. From a young age, she witnessed the challenges her community faced with substance abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges, inspiring her dedication to the field.
Medical reviewed by: Jodi Tarantino, LICSW. Jodi Tarantino is an experienced, licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Program Director with over 20 years of experience in Behavioral Healthcare. Also reviewed by the RRR Editorial team.
Red Ribbon Recovery is committed to delivering transparent, up-to-date, and medically accurate information. All content is carefully written and reviewed by experienced professionals to ensure clarity and reliability. During the editorial and medical review process, our team fact-checks information using reputable sources. Our goal is to create content that is informative, easy to understand and helpful to our visitors.
