Benzodiazepines, or benzos, as they are commonly referred are depressants which are designed for the treatment of anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, muscle spasms and alcohol withdrawal.  Depending on which type of benzodiazepine is taken the detection time can vary from just a few hours to a few weeks.  Generally speaking, the quicker the reaction time and effect of the drug the shorter the reaction time will be.  There are other factors to be considered regarding detection time as well.  One of the main factors is the individual’s metabolic rate.  As we get older our metabolism slows down and it takes longer for our bodies to process certain substances.  Weight and percentage of body fat as well as frequency of use are also determining factors as well as the overall health of the individual as to how long the benzodiazepine can be detected in the blood, urine and saliva.

Benzodiazepines are one of the most widely prescribed drugs and the most common of these is valium or xanax. On a standard urine drug test benzodiazepines will be detected as an opiate. There are three main categories which people who use benzodiazepines fall into.  The casual user will take the drugs one to three times a week for less than three months.  The frequent user will take them more than three times a week but for less than three months and the heavy user will take them for longer than three months.  For drug detection purposes people who weigh over two hundred pounds will fall into the heavy user category because of their high fat to body mass ratio. Most benzodiazepines can be detected in the urine for anywhere from twenty four to seventy two hours for a single use.  For chronic users it can take weeks to be undetectable in the urine sample.