How Long Does Xanax Stay in Your System?

Xanax is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It’s the brand name for Alprazolam, which is a benzodiazepine. Though this class of drugs has a legitimate medical use, it also has the potential for abuse and addiction.

What is Xanax?

Xanax and benzodiazepines are sedative/hypnotics and function primarily on the central nervous system to slow down its function. It’s designed to treat disorders such as anxiety, seizures, and sleep disorders, which result in increased central nervous system (CNS) activity. Thus, the calming and relaxing function of Xanax alleviates those symptoms.

This effect also makes Xanax a drug of potential abuse as the drug can produce a euphoric high when taken without an underlying issue that increases CNS activity or taken at high doses. Xanax abuse can range from taking it without a prescription to taking higher doses than prescribed. Though it typically comes in pill form, individuals may crush Xanax to snort or inject the substance.

Risks of Xanax abuse

Alprazolam and other benzodiazepines have a variety of short and long-term effects, some of which can be dangerous. These include confusion, drowsiness, impaired coordination, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and slowed breathing. Some serious side effects such as seizures, paranoia, suicidal ideation, and respiratory depression may occur.

When taken at high doses, Xanax can be dangerous and lead to deadly overdose. This risk is significantly greater when Xanax is mixed with other nervous system depressants, such as alcohol, which also slow down the function of bodily systems. Overdose may occur when heart rate or breathing slow down to a life-threatening level.

How long does Xanax remain in the system?

The length of time that Xanax stays in the body depends on several factors, including characteristics of the drug and characteristics of the individual. One important component that factors into how long it takes to eliminate a substance from the body is the drug’s half-life.

Xanax half-life

The half-life of Xanax is the average time it takes to eliminate half of a dose of Xanax. The half-life of Xanax is about 11 hours, though the actual time ranges between 6 hours and 27 hours depending on individual factors. It takes several half-lifes to completely eliminate a drug from the body, which means Xanax remains in the body long after the effects have worn off.

Factors that affect how long Xanax stays in your system

Some factors, including factors that are unique to the individual taking the drug, can affect the rate at which Xanax is eliminated from the body. These factors include:

How much Xanax was taken
Amount of time Xanax has been used
Individual metabolism
A person’s height and weight
Body fat content
Age
Kidney and liver functioning

Drug tests for Xanax

Xanax can be detected in the body using several different kinds of drug tests, including blood tests, urine tests, saliva tests, and hair tests. Depending on the industry, drug tests such as these may be required prior to employment or randomly during the course of employment. The amount of time each of these tests can detect Xanax can vary.

Blood tests

In blood tests, Xanax is only detectable for around one day. Though it can also detect the substance sooner than other methods, the general timeline of detection is shorter. Thus, it would not be an accurate test after a couple of days.

Saliva tests

In saliva, Xanax can be detected for up to two and a half days after the last dose.

Urine tests

Urine tests are the most common, though they typically cannot detect Xanax more than four days after the last dose. For some heavy users, this period may last up to a week.

Hair tests

Hair tests have a longer detection time, capable of detecting Xanax up to a month after the last dose. However, unlike the other methods, hair tests may not be able to detect the drug soon after first use.

Xanax Addiction Recovery At Riverwalk Ranch

A Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area Addiction Treatment Center

At Riverwalk Ranch, we can assist you in managing Xanax addiction and other prescription medication abuse as part of our comprehensive addiction treatment services. Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, our professionals use only scientifically-supported therapies to help you safely and comfortably eliminate Xanax from your system and begin your journey toward recovery. Our facilities can serve as an encouraging and safe haven to overcome addiction, surrounded by addiction specialists and other like-minded individuals all working toward a healthier addiction-free life.

If you or a loved one is suffering from Xanax addiction, contact our addiction treatment center today at (877) 863-3869. Whether you live in Texas or you want a refreshing change of pace, Riverwalk Ranch can provide a therapeutic and supportive home for you. Everyone deserves a happy and healthy life free from addiction, and we are committed to helping you overcome Xanax addiction in order to get you there.