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In 2021, 85% of companies in the United States conducted lab-based urine tests. Within the last month, over 196,000 Oregon citizens aged 18-25 admitted to using drugs. With these two numbers at the rates they are, there’s bound to be some overlap. Knowing how long a substance is in your body has more important uses besides knowing if you can pass a drug test, however. Today we’re going to specifically look at the benzodiazepine called Xanax.
Here at Serenity Lane, we believe in the education works to destigmatize substance use. Being better informed can save lives and help people make informed decisions regarding their health and well-being. Xanax is a common benzodiazepine that can come with a myriad of side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Let’s take a further look into how Xanax works and answer the question: how long does Xanax stay in your system?
There are a number of reasons why you might be required to do a drug screening. These come in three primary categories: urine tests, blood tests, and hair tests. Some of the main reasons you might be asked to take a drug test are because of your employer, a healthcare provider, or even because of a legal case.
Each test has its own time frame in which it’s effective. Some tests are more accurate and provide more information than others. Let’s talk about these three tests in more detail.
Blood tests usually occur for one of two reasons, as part of a drug screening process for a healthcare provider or employer, or as a means to test for substances in your system in the case of an overdose. While they are considered to be slightly more invasive, they’re far less likely to be tampered with.
For blood tests, your results can only be positive or negative. Despite what some might think, your blood cannot store information regarding substance use much longer than the substance is within your system. In the case of benzodiazepines like Xanax, the time window for a positive blood test is usually within 24-48 hours of the last consumption.
Urine tests are one of the most common forms of substance screening. This is primarily due to their low invasiveness. Urine tests, however, are one of the most common to be altered by the person taking them.
A urine test measures the levels of metabolized substances within your urine. It cannot determine how much you consumed, only that you consumed it. A positive result in a urine test will vary depending on the half-life of your specific benzodiazepine, but in the case of Xanax, which has a short half-life, it could show up within an hour of taking it.
Not every common urine test is able to detect alprazolam, aka Xanax. If it were to show up in a urine test, however, it could be detectable for up to a few days after your last dose.
Hair tests are not as common, but they hold information regarding substance use much longer than either of the other two tests. A hair test can give a positive result up to 90 days after your last dose of Xanax.
When it comes to how long a substance lasts in your system, it can vary depending on many factors. Everyone’s body is different, from their height and metabolism, to what else is in their body at the time they take a substance. In addition, things like dosage or frequency of use can impact how your body processes Xanax.
Metabolism is a big component of how long a substance stays in your body. Your weight and height can impact your metabolism, meaning that someone who’s overall small might process Xanax faster than someone who isn’t.
When you’re younger, your metabolism is generally faster than when you’re older. On average, young adults will process Xanax within about 12 hours, whereas older people will process it within about 17 hours.
Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine. Short-acting refers to the half-life of Xanax. A half-life is how we measure how long it takes for a substance to enter and exit the body. For most, the half-life of Xanax is around 11 hours.
This short half-life can contribute to other things in your system, even after it’s out. When your body gets used to Xanax, it can adjust to its presence. When this substance exits the body, you can begin to experience withdrawal.
In addition, Xanax comes in two primary dosages. One of them is a normal dose, and one is an extended-release dosage. An extended-release dosage dissolves more slowly, leaving the substance in your system longer.
There is more to how long something is in your system than just how it shows up on a drug screening. When you take a substance, you don’t feel the effects of it the whole time it's in your body. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for someone to think they can handle more of another substance before the first is out of their system.
When you take additional substances, or multiple kinds of substances, within a short time, your body can become overwhelmed. It can only process so many things at once, and it takes different amounts of time for each substance to fully process them. This can lead to a higher risk of overdose.
If you start experiencing symptoms such as confusion, impaired coordination, slowed reflexes, seizures, or unconsciousness, you might be experiencing a Xanax overdose. If you notice these symptoms in you or a loved one, it’s important to call for medical help. The Good Samaritan Law in Oregon prevents you from getting into trouble for seeking medical assistance for an overdose.
Xanax has a high chance for dependency to develop, primarily because of the high chance of withdrawal symptoms, even when taken as medically advised. The withdrawal symptoms for Xanax can last for weeks, but they’re at their worst within the first four days. The combination of cravings and other symptoms can make it more difficult to quit Xanax on your own.
If you find yourself being unable to stop Xanax use on your own, having most of your time taken up by substance use, and finding your relationships being impacted because of your Xanax use, it might be time to consider your recovery options. This isn’t a path you have to stay on, and you don’t have to do it alone. Serenity Lane is here to help.
If you have any questions about our benzo treatment options or any other parts of our program give us a call today at (800) 543-9905. Our team is ready to answer any questions you may have.
What is Xanax and what is it used for?
Xanax is a benzodiazepine used primarily for anxiety, sleeping disorders, and seizures.
What drug test detects Xanax in the body?
The most common tests are urine, blood, and hair tests. Not all urine tests can detect Xanax, however.
Does Xanax pass through breast milk?
Xanax, otherwise known as alprazolam, has been shown to harm fetuses and young children. Make sure you talk to your doctor if you’re taking Xanax and plan on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding.
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