Benzodiazepine drugs are commonly prescribed as a short-term treatment for anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. It can take several days for them to clear the body after stopped use.
Benzodiazepines can be detected in:
- blood tests
- oral fluids tests
- urine tests
- hair tests
Specialized blood tests can detect the use of benzodiazepine drugs for anywhere from a few hours to three days after ingestion. This will depend on the type of drug and its half-life.
Learn more about detecting benzodiazepines in the body
Benzodiazepine Detection Times In Blood
The amount of time it takes for benzodiazepine drugs to be eliminated from the blood will depend on the type of benzodiazepine drug that is taken.
Average detection times for common benzodiazepine drugs include:
- alprazolam (Xanax) blood detection: up to 24 hours
- clonazepam (Klonopin) blood detection: up to 3 days
- lorazepam (Ativan): up to 3 days
- diazepam (Valium): up to 48 hours
- chlordiazepoxide (Librium): 6-48 hours
- temazepam (Restoril): up to 24 hours
Blood tests can detect benzodiazepine use very quickly after the drug is taken. Benzodiazepines can be detected for a longer period of time in urine, hair, and oral fluid samples.
Factors That Can Affect Average Drug Detection Times
Various factors can influence how long it takes for the body to eliminate benzodiazepines from the bloodstream.
For instance:
- age
- dose taken
- duration of use
- method of use (e.g. by mouth, snorting)
- metabolic rate
- poor liver function
Elderly populations and people with impaired liver function may have longer detection windows than the average person, due to how these factors can affect drug metabolism.
Why Do Blood Screens Test For Benzodiazepines?
Standard blood tests may not detect benzodiazepines. However, a specialized drug screening can be ordered as part of a drug rehab program or on suspicion of drug misuse.
Signs of benzodiazepine abuse can include:
- taking higher doses than prescribed
- taking it more often than prescribed
- taking someone else’s prescription
- crushing and snorting pills
- mixing it with other drugs to enhance their effects
Blood tests can detect recent use of benzodiazepines. General disadvantages of using this type of drug test is that it will only detect benzodiazepines for a short amount of time after use.
Get Help For Benzodiazepine Addiction Today
If you or a loved one is addicted to benzos, addiction treatment options are available. By calling our helpline, we can help you find a treatment program that’s right for you.
Treatment for benzodiazepine addiction may involve:
- detoxification (detox)
- substance use counseling
- behavioral therapy
- dual diagnosis
- group therapy
Recovery is possible. Call us today to learn more about available benzodiazepine addiction treatment options.
Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.
These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.
- U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)—Prescription CNS Depressants DrugFacts
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-cns-depressants - U.S. National Library of Medicine—OBJECTIVE TESTING - URINE AND OTHER DRUG TESTS
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4920965/ - University of Rochester Medical Center—Benzodiazepines (Blood)
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=benzodiazepine_blood
