How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?

What is Valium?  

Valium is the brand name for diazepam, which is a type of benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines (commonly called "benzos") are prescription medications used to treat various health conditions.

Valium is typically prescribed for

• Anxiety disorders
• Muscle spasms
• Certain sleep disorders
• Restless leg syndrome
• Seizures
• Alcohol withdrawal
• Sedation before, during, or after certain medical procedures (surgery, MRI scans, and colonoscopies)

Valium works by enhancing GABA activity in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that manages regions in the brain that control thoughts, emotions, memory, and involuntary functions like breathing. This causes muscle relaxation, increased drowsiness, and reduced anxiety.

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How Long Does Valium Last?

Users start to feel the effects of Valium within 15 minutes after taking an oral dose. It will 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. Doctors use the term "half-life" to describe how long your body takes to eliminate half of one drug dose.

The half-life of Valium is approximately 48 hours.

A person's age determines how their body eliminates Valium. It takes approximately 20 to 54 hours for half of the drug to decrease its effect.

Also, Valium accumulates in the body. This means that if someone takes multiple doses over time, it will extend the half-life and keep Valium in your system longer.

How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?

Several different drug tests can detect Valium metabolites. All listed times are averages:

• Urine test: Valium is detectable in urine tests for 1 to 6 weeks
• Blood test: Valium blood tests can test positive for 6 hours to 2 days from the last dose
• Hair test: Valium is detectable in hair follicles for 90 days
• Saliva test: A saliva drug test can detect Valium use from 1 to 10 days after the dose is taken

Note: Blood tests are less common because they are more invasive and have shorter detection windows. They are better indicators for those who are long-term Valium users.

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What are Metabolites?

As your body metabolizes drugs, they break down into smaller substances called "metabolites." Metabolites are the intermediate byproducts your body releases as it breaks down the ingested drug.

Every healthy body metabolizes drugs similarly (though the speed and side effects vary). Therefore, certain metabolites are reliable proof that someone used the parent drug.

Many metabolites have longer half-lives than the parent drug. This is why drug tests often screen for metabolites and the drugs themselves.

Valium produces two important metabolites. The primary metabolite, nordiazepam, is transformed into oxazepam after a series of reactions. 

Temazepam, another active metabolite, also undergoes further metabolic transformation into oxazepam. Oxazepam has a half-life of about 4 to 15 hours, and temazepam has a half-life of 8 to 22 hours.

Once Valium is metabolized into these substances, they are eliminated from the body in 1 to 3 days. However, nordiazepam's half-life is 40 to 99 hours, so it remains in your body for much longer.

Factors That Influence How Long Valium Stays in Your System

The half-life of Valium will vary depending on age, gender, dosage, and underlying health issues. 

• Children: The half-life is up to 8 hours (premature babies have an increased half-life) 
• Elderly: The half-life is up to 20 hours
• Underlying liver condition: The half-life is more than 100+ hours

Other factors that determine how long Valium stays in your system include:

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Possible Risks of Taking Valium

However, overuse and misuse of Valium can be dangerous. It should only be taken according to a doctor's prescription. There are several risks related to Valium, including:

• Depressed breathing, extreme drowsiness or confusion, or impaired motor function can be caused by having too much Valium in your system
• Long-term use of Valium can lead to memory loss, sleeping disorders, depression, and other serious effects
• Diazepam is highly addictive — users can develop a tolerance and physical dependence over time

Valium Addiction & Treatment

Valium is an addictive drug. Physical drug dependence can develop even 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. However, everyone is susceptible to it.

Recognizing Valium Addiction

When someone develops an addiction to Valium, it can affect their life and relationships. They may struggle to fulfill obligations at work or with their friends and family. 

Most Valium addiction symptoms are non-specific. Common signs of Valium abuse and addiction include:

• Normal doses do not have the same medical effects they used to
• Progressively increasing the dose to achieve desired effects
• Taking higher doses or taking doses more frequently than prescribed
• Increased stress or agitation
• Increased cravings for alcohol or increased alcohol consumption
• Higher incidence and severity of side effects
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (such as muscle spasms, sleep issues, panic attacks, delirium, common cold symptoms, etc.)

Treatment for Valium Addiction

Fortunately, there are several treatment options for those struggling with Valium addiction. The first step to achieving long-term recovery is detoxification.

Weaning off of Valium can be difficult, and it is best to undergo this portion of treatment under medical supervision. Addiction therapy can help a person detox safely.

Medical Detox

Detox treatment is a form of recovery that provides a stable environment within a treatment center for the effects of withdrawal symptoms.

The acute withdrawal stage happens about 1 to 4 days after the last intake of Valium. A person may experience:

• Physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, cramps, and even hand tremors
• Cardiovascular symptoms like increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, anxious behaviors
• Neurological symptoms, such as confusion and a risk of developing seizures
• Psychological symptoms that may include cravings, mood swings, depression, and panic attacks

After 3 to 4 days of acute symptoms, a person will experience general withdrawal. This typically occurs for 10 to 14 days. During general withdrawal, a person may experience:

• Increased Valium cravings
• Lightheadedness
• Mild headache
• Mild fever
• Nausea
• Chills
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Sadness and/or life dissatisfaction

The intensity of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the level of addiction and frequency of use. Detox treatment is designed to directly counteract the chronic or persistent side effects of withdrawal symptoms. 

Your healthcare provider may recommend detoxification treatment as an option for chronic drug abuse. 

Inpatient Care

Addiction centers that provide inpatient care provide 24-hour medical care. Rehab with inpatient care for substance use disorder (SUD) is reserved for more severe addictions.

Medical professionals deliver intense mental health treatment in combination with medical treatment to assist with withdrawal symptoms. These programs typically last 30, 60, or 90 days but can be longer in special cases.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment offers rehabilitative care without overnight stays. Addiction centers are set up to provide job counseling, medical treatment, and therapeutic treatments to those that opt for outpatient care.

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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