Xanax Withdrawal, Duration, and Clearing Your System of Xanax
Xanax is a fast-acting, strong prescription benzodiazepine. While Xanax plays a crucial role in managing anxiety and other mental health conditions, it is also highly addictive and, therefore, highly abused.
We explain how Xanax impacts the body, how long it stays in the body, and how detoxification can help you get Xanax out of your system.
If you’re dealing with a Xanax addiction and are wondering what your options are for detox to rid your body of the substance and start the recovery process, Zinnia Health can help. Call us today at (855) 430-9439 to learn more about our wide range of addiction treatment programs.
How to Get Xanax Out of Your System
There are a few different ways to speed up the process of ridding the body of Xanax, including:
1. Stop Xanax Use
The easiest way to get Xanax out of your body is to stop using it. It’s important to remember that it will take your body some time to complete the detox process and fully rid your body of the substance.
2. Hydration
Drinking plenty of water can help get Xanax out of your system quickly.
That’s because drinking water helps cleanse the body and will therefore speed up the process of cleansing the body of Xanax.
3. Medical Detox
Medical detox is critical to the drug abuse recovery puzzle and is the first step to getting clean.
Xanax withdrawal is no walk in the park, and while symptoms vary from person to person, the body’s process of eliminating Xanax can be painful and even dangerous. That’s why it’s so important to undergo medical detox.
When you undergo medical detox at a treatment center, a team of medical professionals will monitor you around the clock to help control the symptoms of Xanax withdrawal while giving you the best shot at getting clean.
Withdrawing from Xanax takes about two weeks, with the peak of symptoms happening around day two or three.
Learn more about medical detox with Zinnia Health here.
4. Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is useful in drug addiction treatment because it helps ease the symptoms of withdrawal, which ultimately helps prevent relapse.
Your detox team will create a treatment plan specifying which medications may help you during the detox process.
How Long Does Xanax Stay in Your System?
The half-life of Xanax is between six to seven hours. But, it takes more than one half-life before Xanax will be completely eliminated from your system.
How long Xanax stays in your system depends on several factors, such as:
- Frequency of use
- Biological factors, like weight, height, build, etc.
- Individual body chemistry
- Dosage taken
- When the last dose was taken
- Alcohol and nicotine intake
Just because the drug is in your system for the length of its half-life does not mean you will feel the effects the entire time. Xanax typically takes about an hour or two to start working.
How long Xanax stays in your system also varies based on which type of drug test is being administered, for example:
1. Blood Tests
Xanax is detectable via a blood test for the shortest amount of time. It can be detected in the blood for up to 24 hours.
2. Urine Tests
Xanax can be detected in a urine test for up to four days.
3. Saliva Tests
Xanax can be detected in a saliva test for up to two and a half days.
4. Hair Tests
Xanax can be detected in a hair test longer than any other drug test. It can be detected in a hair test for up to 90 days.
What is Xanax?
Xanax, the most popular brand name of alprazolam, is one of the most widely prescribed benzodiazepines for treating anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia, or fearing crowds and places that may be hard to escape from.
As of 2020, more than 16 million prescriptions were written for Xanax in the United States. Xanax stimulates the brain’s GABA-A receptor, producing feelings of relaxation and euphoria.
Street names for Xanax include:
- Bars
- Xan
- Xannies
- Xanbars
- Totem poles
- Footballs
- White boys
- White girls
- Yellow boys
- Z-bars
Side Effects of Xanax
The most common side effects of Xanax include:
- Relaxation
- A sense of calm
- Hallucinations
- Talkativeness
- Deep sleep
- Inability to “feel” — physically and emotionally
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty forming memories while on the drug
- Clumsiness
- Drowsiness
- Sleepiness
- Lightheadedness
- Irritability
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Lowered inhibitions leading to risky behavior
The risk of nefarious side effects of Xanax increases when Xanax is used with other substances, particularly alcohol and opioids.
Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms
Like most benzos, the symptoms of Xanax withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Panic attack
- Tremors
- Depression
- Hyperventilation
- Difficulty sleeping
- Muscle spasms
- Sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
What Makes Xanax Last Longer in the Body?
Xanax may stay in some people’s systems longer than others. Here are some things that make Xanax last longer:
- Liver disease: Xanax is metabolized in the liver. People with liver disease or other liver problems may experience longer detection periods than healthy people because liver disease can cause the body to process Xanax at a slower rate.
- Age: It takes older adults longer to break down medications, including Xanax.
- Obesity: The half-life of Xanax in an obese person is extended to nearly 22 hours — more than 10 hours more than an average-sized person. The amount of fat and tissue and a slower metabolism is behind this lag in processing.
- Alcohol use: Combining alcohol and Xanax is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening game. Alcohol and Xanax both work to depress the Central Nervous System. Alcohol makes Xanax stay in the body longer.
What Makes Xanax Last Shorter in the Body?
Certain medications, known as inducers, can make Xanax last shorter in the body, including:
- Carbamazepine
- Phenytoin
- Topamax
- Fosphenytoin
Zinnia Health Can Help
Whether you’re dealing with Xanax addiction or any other form of substance abuse, Zinnia healing is here. Contact us today to learn more about our addiction recovery process and treatment program options.
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