How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?
Key Takeaways
- Valium can be detected in urine for 1 to 6 weeks - Jump to Section
- Age, liver health, and dosage affect Valium's elimination time - Jump to Section
- Valium can cause addiction, tolerance, and breathing problems - Jump to Section
Valium can offer relief and stability for anxiety and other conditions. However, it's crucial to understand its duration in your system and the associated risks.
This article looks into the complexities surrounding Valium's presence in your body, the factors influencing its duration, and the potential dangers of its misuse. We'll also explore the available treatment options for someone struggling with Valium addiction.
How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?
Valium is the brand name for diazepam, which is a type of benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal. Typically the half-life of Valium is approximately 48 hours.
However, how long it stays in your body depends on the test that you’re taking. Here’s how long Valium can stay in your body on average:
| Type of test | Time |
| Urine | Can detect Valium for 1 to 6 weeks |
| Blood | Valium can be detected for 6 hours to 2 days after the last dose |
| Hair | Can detect valium in hair follicles for up to 90 days |
| Saliva | Valium can be detected from 1 to 10 days after the last dose |
Remember, Valium accumulates in the body. This means that if someone takes multiple doses over time, the half-life will be extended, keeping the Valium in the system longer.
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Factors That Influence How Long Valium Stays in Your System
The half-life of Valium can depend on various factors. For example, it can be up to 8 hours for children and 20 hours for the elderly. If you have an underlying liver condition, the half-life of Valium can be more than 100+ hours.
Other factors that determine how long Valium stays in your system include:
- Body fat and composition
- Dosage
- Other drugs
- Genetics
- Gender
- Route of administration
- Mood
- Tolerance
- Diet
How Long Does Valium’s Effects Last?
You’ll typically start to feel the effects of Valium within 15 minutes after taking an oral dose. It’ll be strongest about one hour after ingestion.
The actual effects of Valium will wear off after 4 to 6 hours. However, Valium is a long-lasting benzodiazepine, so it stays in your body for much longer.
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Possible Risks of Taking Valium
Valium can be dangerous if overused or misused. Because of this, it should only be taken according to a doctor's prescription.
Some of the potential risks of Valium use include:
- Depressed breathing
- Extreme drowsiness or confusion
- Impaired motor functions
- Memory loss
- Sleeping disorders
- Depression
- Addiction, increased tolerance, and diazepam dependence
Valium Addiction
Valium is an addictive drug, and you can develop a physical dependence after short-term use.
People with a history of mental health issues or substance abuse are more likely to develop a substance use disorder with valium, but everyone is susceptible to it.
Most Valium addiction symptoms are non-specific. Common signs of Valium abuse and addiction include:
- Increased tolerance to Valium
- Increased stress or agitation
- Increased cravings for Valium
- Increased risk of severe side effects
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Treatment for Valium Addiction
Fortunately, there are several treatment options for those struggling with Valium addiction. Talk to a doctor or addiction specialist for tailored treatment options.
Available treatment options for Valium addiction include:
- Medical detox: Helps treat and manage the effects of valium withdrawal
- Inpatient care: Addiction or treatment centers that provide 24-hour medical care and supervision
- Outpatient treatment: Offers treatment without overnight stays, providing flexibility for people who cannot devote 24 hours to treatment
If you or a loved one is struggling with Valium addiction, don’t hesitate to get help. Speak with an addiction specialist to review your treatment options.
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- Cheng et al. “Valium without Dependence? Individual GABAA Receptor Subtype Contribution toward Benzodiazepine Addiction, Tolerance, and Therapeutic Effects.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Dove Medical Press 2018.
- Dhaliwal et al. “Diazepam.” Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2023.
- Genentech, Inc. “VALIUM (DIAZEPAM).” , 2016.
- Calcaterra, N. E., & Barrow, J. C. “Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Diazepam (Valium).” ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 2014.
- Lamaczová et al. “Anxiety in Duckweed–Metabolism and Effect of Diazepam on Lemna minor.” Wate, 2022.
- Edinoff et al. “Benzodiazepines: Uses, Dangers, and Clinical Considerations.” Neurol Int, 2021.
