How Long Does Xanax Stay in your System?

Xanax is the brand name, prescription medication of Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine; This type of medication also commonly known as a tranquilizer is most often prescribed to patients that have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The general purpose of Xanax is to restore chemical balance in the brain where there was once an imbalance. The potent prescription medication comes in an easily recognizable pill or tablet form.

As stated in our article Frequently Asked Questions About Xanax, addiction to the prescription medication is common among high school and college-age students. Furthermore, according to Medical News Today, the number of non-prescription users nearly doubled from 2005-2010.

Those who use Xanax without an appropriate prescription or abuse their prescription are generally seeking relief from stressful feelings, a feeling of euphoric lethargy, or loss of thought. And, when mixed with alcohol or other depressant drugs, the effects become more pronounced.

Like any other medication or drug, Xanax can be detected in your system for a period of time after using. In this article, we will answer common questions regarding how long Xanax stays in your saliva, blood, and urine and how it is detected.

What are the most common ways I can be tested for Xanax?

Individuals are most commonly tested for Xanax in their system through urine tests. However, medical professionals may also perform blood tests or take saliva samples as necessary. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, the timing and decisions regarding which test to use are dependent upon the needs of the doctor, other medical professional, or agency requesting the tests

How long does Xanax stay in my system?

The amount of time a drug is active in a person's system is referred to as a half-life. When discussing the topics of how long Xanax stays in one's system, it is important to understand that the half-life of a drug differs from the amount of time that a drug is detectable in the system.

Xanax has an average half-life of twelve hours and stays in a person’s system, on average, for four days. Certain tests may lose the ability to detect it sooner. Yet, similarly, certain tests may also be able to detect Xanax in a person’s system longer.

Xanax in Urine

Xanax can accurately be detected in a person’s body for 5-7 days. Additionally, urine tests generally return results within the same day and therefore are the most common test for detecting Xanax.

Xanax in Blood

Unlike urine tests, blood tests often take more than a day to return results. Likewise, blood tests are reliable in many situations because Xanax can be detected in the blood for 1-6 days.

Xanax in Saliva

Saliva tests are an inexpensive, simple, quick way to return information regarding Xanax in a person’s system. However, Xanax is only detectable in saliva for 2-3 days.

Does the detection period for Xanax change depending on how much I took?

The Xanax half-life of twelve hours and elimination period of four days (on average) is applicable for most users. However, dosage may also play a role. According to Mental Health Daily, the half-life and detection period only change if the user has taken high doses of Xanax over a prolonged period of time. In which case, it would likely take longer to eliminate from the system.

Can I flush Xanax out of my system?

In most cases, there is not anything you can do to eliminate Xanax from your system faster than the average four days. However, there are a number of other factors that may play a role in how fast a person processes and eliminates Xanax from their system. Those factors are listed below.

• Age

• Kidney Function

• Metabolic Function

• Body Composition

• Dosage of Xanax

• Length of Time Taking Xanax

How can I tell if someone took Xanax?

Due to the fact that use and abuse of prescription Xanax are on the rise, it is important to be able to detect when a friend or someone you know has taken an overdose of Xanax.

Most people who are prescribed Xanax do so to eliminate feelings of stress, anxiety, and panic. Those who seek to take the drug recreationally generally do so to experience the lethargic effects it inflicts.

If you suspect someone you know has taken Xanax in a high does or without a prescription, look for these signs:

• Slurred speech

• Fatigue

• Inability to concentrate

• Lethargy

• Confusion

• Loss of Interest

• Loss of Motivation

• The desire to be alone

• Mood Swings

How can I spot signs of Xanax withdrawal?

It is rather easy and a common occurrence for an individual to become addicted to Xanax. In fact, many individuals who are prescribed the medication become addicted every day. However, breaking a Xanax addiction is difficult.

Many individuals who are attempting to wean themselves off of Xanax whether they have been taking it with a prescription will go through withdrawal. Unfortunately, the signs of Xanax withdrawal are not always noticeable to an outsider. However, if you are around a person who is addicted to Xanax often, you may notice that they lose their ability to enjoy life without the drug. Some other warning signs of Xanax withdrawal can include irritability and extremely slow response time. If you are fighting a Xanax addiction, or know someone who is, it’s never too late to seek help. There are always resources in your local community that you can reach out to. Or, you can also seek an online support group such as the I Am Sober App.

Resources:

https://drugabuse.com/library/xanax-withdrawal/ https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/benzo.pdf https://mentalhealthdaily.com/2015/10/16/how-long-does-xanax-alprazolam-stay-in-your-system/