Xanax is a prescription drug that can bring relief to those who need it and use it responsibly. Sadly, use of it can turn into abuse, causing a person to become addicted. Users often wonder things like, “How long does Xanax stay in your system?” The answer depends on a few determining factors. Ultimately, understanding how Xanax affects a person and how to handle addiction to it provides answers people need to get healthy.
What Is Xanax?
Xanax falls under the umbrella of benzodiazepine drugs and is available by prescription. Doctors commonly prescribe it to help with anxiety disorders and panic disorders. It affects the central nervous system and brain, causing a person to experience feelings of tranquility and sedation. For those who suffer from frequent anxiety or panic attacks, Xanax can provide much-needed relief from these symptoms. It comes in pill form and is taken orally.
Some people take Xanax regularly while others use it on an as-needed basis. In general, individuals start out taking low dosages of the medication. They can adjust the dosage as needed and under the supervision of their doctor. Some side effects can occur and should be monitored by the prescriber. Additionally, medical supervision should take place when a person stops taking Xanax. Side effects and withdrawal symptoms may occur, particularly when the person abuses or has become addicted to this drug.
How Long Does Xanax Stay in Your System?
Someone who uses this drug often wonders, “How long does Xanax stay in your system?” They may be concerned because they are required to take a drug test. Alternatively, they may be thinking about this in relation to going off the drug because they have become addicted to it.
The answer to how long Xanax stays in your system depends on a few things. These include:
- How much of the drug the person last ingested
- How long ago it was taken
- The person’s metabolism: age and activity influence metabolism
- Hydration habits
- Medical history
In general, the half-life of Xanax is about 11 hours. This means the drug remains in a person’s system for approximately two days. Having said that, what type of drug test is used to detect Xanax influences if it shows up. A general guideline for how long Xanax can be detected in a drug test is as follows:
Blood test: 1 day
Saliva test: 2 to 3 days
Urine test: 4 to 7 days
Hair test: 30 to 90 days
How Long Does Withdrawal From Xanax Last?
The effects of the average dosage of Xanax lasts about six hours. Because of this, withdrawal symptoms can begin shortly after the last time a person took the medication. How quickly Xanax withdrawal begins and what withdrawal symptoms a person experiences depends on a few things. These include the amount of time the addiction has gone on and how much Xanax the person usually took at one time. Along with that, their physical and mental health can factor into the timeline for withdrawal.
In general, it takes 10 to 14 days to fully complete the Xanax withdrawal process. Withdrawal symptoms are at their worst during the initial few days and then begin to subside. They usually start within six to twelve hours after the person last took Xanax. The first couple of days may include feeling lethargic, difficulty sleeping, and bouts of anxiety and moodiness.
The next few days often include an increase in the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Additional ones may develop, including digestive difficulties, headaches, racing heart, and hallucinations. After about a week, most withdrawal symptoms decrease and then end within several days. The symptoms most likely to linger, even for months, include emotional and psychological ones. These include anxiety, depression, and moodiness.
Because withdrawal usually includes uncomfortable and potentially dangerous side effects, it’s imperative that a person does not attempt to detox alone. They need professional help in order to maneuver detox, which also provides them with medications that can alleviate and even stop many withdrawal symptoms.
How to Treat Xanax Addiction
If a person wonders, “How long does Xanax stay in your system?”, there is a strong likelihood they have developed an addiction. From there, the next question centers on what kind of help to get. Xanax addiction treatment starts with going to detox. This process allows a person to safely go through the withdrawal process and no longer have any Xanax toxins left in their bodies.
From detox, many people choose to go to residential rehab in a facility. For others, outpatient programs become the right option. This means they attend benzo addiction treatment during the day while living at home. Even more conveniently, some people use virtual IOP programs for Xanax addiction. They receive many of the same valuable benefits of regular outpatient care without having to leave their homes.
A qualified treatment program will provide a thorough assessment of each individual. This will show them which treatment plans prove to be the best fit for each person. From there, the individual can transition through the right treatment plan for them on the way to becoming sober.
Treating Xanax Addiction in Atlanta
Did you start taking Xanax for all the right reasons but it spiraled out of control? Xanax abuse affects many people who end up needing professional help getting off this drug. Buckhead Behavioral Health in Atlanta provides several programs to treat Xanax addiction. We offer detox, outpatient, and virtual treatment that helps you get off this toxic drug and start your life over. Visit our admissions page today and get started on a healthy new life right away.
