Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety, tension, and alcohol withdrawal. Its brand name is Serax, and it will stay in a person’s system for an average of 30 hours. That said, this length of time will be impacted by the amount taken, for how long, and the user’s overall health. To help figure this out, Banyan Massachusetts answers the following questions - How long does oxazepam stay in your system? What is its half-life? What kinds of tests may detect it?
Oxazepam Half-Life
For reference, the half-life of a drug refers to the time that it requires for the entire content of a drug’s active substance to be reduced by half in the body. In the case of Serax (oxazepam), the half-life can last anywhere from 4 to 15 hours, with peak blood levels being reached about 3 hours after taking a dose. Due to a relatively slow onset of action, Serax is a good option for people who have trouble staying asleep rather than falling asleep. The intermediate-acting benzodiazepine helps people to avoid taking too much at one time and helps oxazepam operate as a slightly less addictive option for benzodiazepines.
Types of Drug Tests That Detect Oxazepam
When asking the question, “How long does oxazepam stay in your system?” It is also worth considering the type of drug test being administered. This will influence whether traces of the substance will be detected and for how long this is a possibility. Serax, although not as addictive as other benzo options, can still cause a person to develop a tolerance, addiction, and even overdose if too much is taken at one time.
Drug test types that can detect Serax and similar benzodiazepines include:
- Urine: As the most common drug test, a urine sample can show traces of past use for about one to three days.
- Blood: It is found in plasma, the colorless fluid of the blood. Oxazepam can be isolated for only a few hours after use.
- Saliva: Benzo’s can be found from a saliva swab for 24 to 36 hours.
- Hair Follicle: In the cases of many drugs, a hair follicle test can show traces for up to 90 days after a person has last used it. It is not likely that a hair test would be used to find Serax in a person’s system.
If a person tests positive for oxazepam either after their prescription has run out or if they didn’t have one to begin with, this can be a sign of a deeper issue at play. Benzo abuse is a dangerous practice, and treatment should be sought if a person shows signs of it.
Get Massachusetts Drug Addiction Help With Banyan
Choosing to get help for a drug problem is not always an easy choice to make but can transform a person’s life for the better. Our drug rehab in Massachusetts offers benzodiazepine addiction treatment that can help patients obtain and learn to maintain sobriety.
Each level of care is designed to meet a person where they are in their unique addiction and provide them with the therapies necessary to make a full recovery. While some people may require the additional support of a partial hospitalization program (PHP), others might need a less drastic option like an IOP (intensive hospitalization program). No matter the case, Banyan can care for you.
To learn more about our programming available, call Banyan’s Massachusetts addiction treatment center at 888-280-4763 today.
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