With the field of psychiatry expanding, the number of prescriptions for mood altering drugs like Xanax is increasing every day. This means employers and parents must learn how long Xanax stays in the system. Testing for prescription medications such as Xanax, which falls under the benzodiazepine class of medicines, can pose certain problems because the substances are considered legal with a valid prescription. Many people today, including teenagers and young adults, have begun using Xanax as a recreational drug which necessitates a strong employer or parent drug testing program be instituted to prevent Xanax abuse. Dosages for drugs like Xanax can vary widely depending on a patient’s medical needs, which is why it is critical to determine exactly how long Xanax stays in the system. Typically, Xanax stays in the system for a period of up to 1 week, depending on the length of use and the potency of the pills ingested. For the occasional user of Xanax, traces of the drug can be passed from the system in only 2-3 days. A multitude of external factors, such as the weight, height, age, physical fitness, and tolerance level of the subject should also be considered when assessing how long Xanax stays in the system.

The two most commonly used drug testing methods, the urinalysis drug test and the hair follicle drug test, can be used to detect traces of Xanax abuse. Each testing option provides varying degrees of detection and the strongest, most effective drug testing programs will utilize both methods to test for both short term and extended use of Xanax. The standard urinalysis drug test will detect the metabolites of Xanax for 2-3 days, and should be used immediately after any suspicion of drug abuse arises. The hair follicle drug test will provide an extended picture of a subject’s Xanax use, and can detect traces of the drug for 1-2 weeks depending on certain factors. Because of its ability to assess long term drug use, the hair follicle drug test is the best option for pre-employment drug testing programs, as it is much more difficult to evade detection by simply abstaining from Xanax for a few days. It is vital that any concerned parent or employer learns how long Xanax stays in the system, so that they can devise the most effective and accurate drug testing program possible.