How Long Do Benzos Stay in Your System?

When a person suffers from anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms or sleep disorders, benzodiazepines (benzos) are given to depress the central nervous system. They are a very effective treatment but can also be very addictive, resulting in recreational abuse. Because they are being abused at higher rates, there are tests used to check for the drug in people’s tissues and body fluids. There are some jobs that require people to get tested before being hired, particularly the fields where they work with heavy machinery.

How Long Do Benzos Stay in Your System?

When considering this question, you need to take into account several different variables, such as the type of drug test being used. Benzos, also known as Halcion, Activan or Librium, can be detected for a short time with some tests while lasting as long as three months for other tests. How long it stays in your system is dependent on your metabolism, age, body mass, physical activity, hydration level, health conditions and other factors. This makes it very difficult to give a specific time range.

The most important influencing factor is the type of benzodiazepines you are taking. The half-life can vary greatly between the different medications available. This refers to the amount of time it takes for a drug to pass naturally from your system. The following will give you an estimate based on the type of testing as well.

Substance

Urine

Blood

Saliva

Hair

Benzodiazepin

1-6 weeks

6-48 hours

1-10 days

Up to 90 days

How to Naturally Clean Benzos from Your System

After knowing "How long do benzos stay in your system?" you may wonder the ways to clean benzos from your body. Normally, a natural detox is your safest bet. This will allow the drug to pass without the use of any product. If you are addicted, it will take months for you to overcome it because of the effects the chemical has on the brain.

Natural Detox Tips:

  • Keep hydrating – Renewing your body fluids constantly helps to pass toxins through your system.
  • Sweat it out – Jogging, sauna and other physical activities can help to pass the toxins through your system.
  • Have a clean diet – Reducing the amount of toxins going in can help reduce the amount of time it takes your body to recover.
  • Fast – When you fast you allow your body to have a break from digestion. This can be a natural way to detox and promote healing.
  • Get rest – Insomnia is often associated with withdrawal from Benzos. Take the time to rest to restore your body to its natural sleep patterns.

Signs of Benzos Abuse

How long do benzos stay in your system? You already know the answer. The symptoms of abuse are classified into the four categories:

Behavioral Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

Cognitive Symptoms

Psychosocial Symptoms

  • Prescription forgery
  • Desire for solitude
  • Inability to meet expectations at school, work or home
  • Frequent doctor changes
  • Taking benzos for longer periods or larger doses
  • Behavior of seeking drugs
  • Double vision
  • Vertigo
  • Muscle weakness
  • Headaches
  • Physical dependence
  • Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
  • Increased respiratory infections
  • Increased confusion
  • Slowed thinking
  • Anterograde amnesia
  • Memory impairment
  • Slowed reaction time
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Irritability and hostility
  • Increased anxiety

Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome is a very serious condition that happens when there is physical dependence on benzos. Therefore, it is important to go through your withdrawal under the guidance of a doctor who is trained in this area. A psychiatric staff can also help to reduce further trouble and stress when undergoing withdrawal.

How long do benzos stay in your system? It has been answered. Withdrawal symptoms start about four hours after the last dose is taken. These symptoms can persist for days or even weeks. Some of them include:

  • Restlessness
  • Aches and pains like the flu
  • Confusion
  • Feelings of unreality
  • Seizures
  • Psychosis
  • Delusions and hallucinations
  • Suicidal behaviors and ideations

How Is Benzos Addiction Treated?

Chronic abuse treatment can be done at home under your doctor’s care or in a drug rehabilitation center. Gradual reduction of benzos is generally the first step to prevent seizures and withdrawal problems. This is often easier than when the person is attempting to stay drug-free for prolonged periods.

For further help during the process, outpatient or inpatient counseling should be used. Many have used cognitive-behavioral therapy to help focus the patient’s thinking, behavior and expectations. This will also help increase their skills for coping with stress and keep them from continuing with benzos.

Many times, those abusing benzos are also abusing other drugs such as alcohol and cocaine. With cases where more drugs are abused, a multi-faceted treatment will be needed. Medical care in addition to social support will be needed to properly help a person addicted to benzos. Family and friends will need to be involved for a total recovery.

 
 
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