How Long Does Xanax Stay In Your System?
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Xanax has been abused at a concerning rate during the past few years. Depending on their age, 5.7%-10.3% of people admitted to having used the drug at some point.
With that in mind, Xanax shows up on most toxicological screens, which is why more and more people are interested in how long it stays in the body. The answer depends on various factors and we’ll explore them below.
What is Xanax and How Is It Used?
Xanax is the brand name given to Alprazolam, which is a benzodiazepine prescription medication. Benzodiazepine is a CNS (central nervous system depressant) that is used in treating anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, seizure, muscle rigidity, and more. It is very often the general treatment for those experiencing General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Xanax may also be prescribed to treat agoraphobia, along with severe pre-menstrual syndrome. Its purpose is to calm down your nervous system, making you feel more relaxed. As it can lead to the formation of a habit, Xanax is only given as a short-term treatment.
Xanax is a Schedule IV drug, meaning that it has a lower potential for abuse. Even though the potential of addiction is low, it may still lead to psychological (sometimes physical) addiction. Schedule IV drugs such as Xanax can be addictive and their use should be moderated.
Symptoms of Taking Xanax
The appearance of Xanax symptoms varies from individual to individual. When Xanax is taken, it’s being absorbed into the body and some of the parts attach themselves to the larger proteins. Xanax reaches peak concentration in about 1-2 hours, at which point you may feel the following symptoms and side effects:
- Feeling of calmness
- A sedating feeling
- Light-headedness and dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Increased saliva production
- Dry mouth
Some people may experience more negative side effects as Xanax is working to calm your mind and body. In some cases, it may cause difficulty in breathing, memory problems, hallucinations, or lack of coordination.
Alcohol and the use of other drugs may also increase your chances of experiencing side effects. Plus, as your system is being depressed in order to relieve the anxiety, you may also experience suicidal thoughts. If this happens to you, seek help right away.
How Long Xanax Stays in Your System
Xanax is considered something between a short-acting and a middle-acting benzodiazepine. It reaches peak effects within 1-2 hours, after which the symptoms will begin to lessen. The half-life of Xanax in a healthy adult is 11.2 hours, at which point the drug gets metabolized.
Detection time depends on the area of the body that is being tested. Each body part retains Xanax parts differently. A general timeline would be the following:
- Blood: Approx. 24 hours
- Saliva: Approx. 2.5 days
- Urine: Approx. 4 days
- Hair: Approx. 90 days
A positive drug screen may appear even after Xanax is technically gone from your system. If you are going through a drug test or screening and you have been prescribed Xanax, you may want to inform the lab technicians ahead of time. This way, they’ll know how to interpret your results.
Factors That Affect Xanax Detection
Several factors may influence how long your body retains Xanax, and how long it will be detectable. Some people may retain Xanax in their system for a longer time, whereas others can expel it much faster. Here are several factors that will affect how much Xanax will remain in your system:
- Urinary pH
- Liver function
- Age
- Genetics
- Dosage
- Using other drugs
- Amount used
- Height
- Metabolic rate
- Weight
- Kidney function
- Frequency of use
- Ethnicity
Typically, the detection of Xanax in the body is higher when it comes to older adults, individuals with obesity, people than have Asian descent, and those who are suffering from liver disease. These people typically metabolize the Xanax slower, which means it may show up for a longer time in their bodies.
Symptoms of a Xanax Overdose
Xanax can induce a feeling of relaxation and well-being. However, it also has a high potential for building a tolerance. As the sedative effects of Xanax will begin to lessen, people will feel inclined to take more and more of the drug. The more Xanax is consumed, the longer it will show up in your system.
Doctors will typically start with the lowest recommended dose and increase the dosage based on your needs. When you take more Xanax than the one prescribed, you may have clammy skin, irregular pulse, dilated pupils, confusion, drowsiness, and shallow respiration. A Xanax overdose can lead to a slower metabolic rate, which means that the substance may show up for longer in your system.
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How To Treat a Xanax Addiction
While the potential for a Xanax addiction is low, the possibility is still there. One should not abruptly stop Xanax consumption completely, as this might lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. This can include restlessness, sweating, tremors, vomiting, insomnia, even hallucinations.
To prevent withdrawal symptoms, Xanax consumption should be stopped using the tapering method – i.e., reducing the substance gradually. Medical detox may also be applied in cases where severe side effects are to be expected. Individual therapy might also be necessary in order to solve the underlying problems and address the psychological causes of taking Xanax.
Why Real Deal Can Help
Xanax consumption may be very dangerous if the abuse is not interrupted safely. At Real Deal, we have the means to ensure you go through as little discomfort as possible.
For mild addictions, where Xanax was consumed for a short period, we can provide assisted outpatient therapy, where we can offer our support as you are in a safe environment. If Xanax was consumed in the long term, we may recommend inpatient treatment.
Depending on the length or the dosages consumed, we may recommend medical detox. This will ensure that you will have as little discomfort as possible. By stopping the consumption correctly, you may reduce the effects that withdrawal has on the body.
Assisted withdrawal will ensure the Xanax is metabolized out of your system faster. Contact Real Deal as soon as you realize you have an addiction, and we will come to your aid immediately.