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How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System? Valium Half Life

Medical Providers:
Dr. Randy Gelow, MD, FASAM
Ray Hamilton, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Last Updated: August 20, 2025

Valium (diazepam) is one of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines, often given to help with anxiety, muscle spasms, or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. While it can be effective for short-term relief, Valium also carries a high risk for dependence and misuse.

The dangers are real—research shows that deaths linked to benzodiazepine overdoses increased fourfold between 1996 and 2013. By 2013, benzodiazepines were involved in about 31% of the 23,000 fatal prescription drug overdoses reported that year.

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Valium Half Life Explained

On average, Valium has a long elimination half-life—around 48 hours—which means it can take several days for the drug to fully leave your body. But even after the effects wear off, traces of Valium often linger much longer.

Drug tests can still pick up Valium and its metabolites well past that window. For example, urine tests may detect Valium for up to six weeks after the last dose, depending on factors like frequency of use, metabolism, and overall health.

How Long Does Valium Stay In Your System?

Valium is part of the benzodiazepine family of medications. It works by boosting the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a natural chemical in the brain that helps slow down overactivity. This process produces a calming effect, which is why Valium is often prescribed for conditions like anxiety, muscle tension, or alcohol withdrawal. It comes in different forms, including tablets, oral solutions, and injectable options, making it accessible for various treatment needs.

Like any prescription drug, Valium isn’t without side effects. Some of the most common include drowsiness, fatigue, poor coordination, memory issues, confusion, and even slurred speech. While not everyone experiences these symptoms, they can affect daily functioning and should be discussed with a doctor if they become concerning.

How long does Valium last in the body?

The length of time Valium stays in your body is closely tied to its elimination half-life—the period it takes for half of the drug to be processed and cleared. Because Valium has a relatively long half-life, it can take 10 to 12 days for the drug to fully leave your system.

That said, how long Valium stays in your system can vary from person to person. Factors like age, metabolism, frequency of use, and overall health all play a role. In addition, Valium’s metabolites may remain in your body longer and can still show up on drug tests well after the drug’s calming effects have worn off.

Short-Term Use and Elimination

When Valium is taken for short-term needs—like managing sudden anxiety—the drug usually clears from the body within just a few days. As your system breaks it down and eliminates it, the calming effects gradually wear off. This shorter window not only reduces the chance of lingering side effects but also lowers the risk of developing dependence when used as prescribed.

Chronic Use and Accumulation

With long-term use, Valium can slowly build up in your system, often leading to persistent drowsiness and fuzziness in thinking. Over time, your body may grow tolerant—meaning you’ll need higher doses to experience the same calming effects. This is more than just discomfort—it significantly raises the risk of physical dependence and addiction if not carefully managed. According to a trusted review in PubMed Central, “tolerance to their therapeutic effects develops relatively quickly while many adverse effects persist.”

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Individual Factors Affecting Valium Elimination

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Age and Metabolism

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Dosage

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Liver and Kidney Function

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Genetic Factors

How long Valium stays in your system can look very different from one person to another. Your age and metabolism play a big part— younger people usually process the drug more quickly, while older adults may clear it at a slower pace. The health of your liver and kidneys also matters since these organs are responsible for filtering and breaking down Valium.

Genetics can add another layer to the picture. Certain differences in drug-metabolizing enzymes can speed up or slow down how your body handles Valium, which ultimately affects how long traces of the drug remain detectable.

Drug Interactions

Valium doesn’t work in isolation—other medications and substances can change the way your body processes it. When certain drugs slow down the liver enzymes that break Valium down, the medication can build up in your system and increase the risk of side effects or even dangerous reactions.

Some of the most common substances known to interact with Valium include:

Because of these risks, it’s essential to let your doctor know about all prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and even supplements you’re taking before starting Valium. This helps reduce the chances of harmful interactions and ensures it’s used as safely as possible.

Influence of Body Composition

The way Valium moves through your body can also depend on body composition. People with higher body fat tend to hold onto the drug longer, which can slow down clearance and cause its calming effects to last beyond the expected window. On the other hand, those with less body fat may process and eliminate Valium more quickly.

Impact of Hydration

Drinking enough water plays a big role in how your body clears Valium. Proper hydration keeps your kidneys working efficiently, which helps flush the drug and its metabolites out through urine. That said, more isn’t always better—overdoing it with fluids can actually lower sodium levels in the blood, which can be harmful. The key is maintaining healthy, balanced hydration.

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Detection Time of Valium

Drug testing is one of the most common ways to check for the presence of medications like Valium in the body. The length of time Valium can be detected depends on the type of test being used, since each method looks for the drug and its metabolites in different ways. Below are the typical detection windows for Valium across various drug tests:

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Urine Test

Valium and its byproducts can often be found in urine for up to six weeks after the last dose, though for most people it shows up for about 5 to 7 days.

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Blood Test

In the bloodstream, Valium is usually detectable for up to 48 hours after use.

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Saliva Test

Traces of Valium may appear in saliva for 1 to 10 days, depending on frequency of use and metabolism.

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Hair Test

Because hair grows slowly, Valium can be detected for up to 90 days—or even longer—based on the length of the sample collected.

How long does Valium stay in your urine?

As noted earlier, Valium and its active metabolites may remain detectable in urine for up to six weeks after the last dose. For most people, though, it typically shows up in tests for about 5 to 7 days. The exact length of time depends on several factors, including your metabolism, how often you take it, the dosage, and your overall health. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), benzodiazepines like Valium can vary widely in how long they remain detectable in drug screenings.

Rehabilitation At The Hope House

Like all benzodiazepines, Valium carries the risk of misuse and addiction—particularly when taken in higher doses or without medical guidance. What may begin as a legitimate prescription can sometimes develop into dependence, making it difficult to stop without support.

At The Hope House, we know recovery from Valium addiction is not a one-size-fits-all process. Our residential treatment center in Scottsdale, Arizona, provides personalized care in a safe and supportive environment, combining evidence-based therapies with holistic approaches to help clients heal both mentally and physically.

If you or someone you love is struggling with Valium addiction, reaching out for help can truly change the course of your life. Take the first step today—contact us to learn more about our programs and begin your path toward lasting recovery, renewed purpose, and hope.

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Other Drug Detection Times

If you’re wondering how long does cocaine stay in your system, the answer can vary from person to person. In most cases, cocaine itself is detectable in urine for about 2 to 4 days after use. However, its metabolites—the substances your body breaks it down into—can linger much longer, sometimes showing up in tests for several weeks. Factors like how much was used, how often, your metabolism, and overall health all play a role in how long cocaine remains detectable.

If you’ve ever asked yourself how long does ecstasy stay in your system, the answer is usually about 2 to 4 days. During that time, MDMA (ecstasy) can often be detected in urine, blood, or saliva tests. Still, the exact length varies—your metabolism, how much you used, and even your overall health can all affect how long the drug lingers in your body.

If you’re wondering how long does heroin stay in your system, the answer is typically 2 to 3 days. Within this window, heroin can often be detected in urine, blood, or saliva tests. However, the exact timeframe isn’t the same for everyone—factors like how much was used, how often, and your individual metabolism can all affect how long heroin remains traceable in the body.

If you’re asking how long does meth stay in your system, the typical answer is about 2 to 4 days. In some cases, though, methamphetamine can still be detectable for up to a week, depending on the type of test. Factors such as how much you’ve taken, how often you use it, your metabolism, and your overall health can all play a role in how long meth remains in your body.

If you’ve ever wondered how long does alcohol stay in your system, the truth is it depends on several factors, including how much you drank, your metabolism, and overall health. On average, alcohol can be detected in urine for up to 48 hours and in the bloodstream for around 12 hours. For heavy or frequent drinkers, however, those detection times can be much longer as the body takes more time to fully process the alcohol.

If you’re asking how long does Xanax stay in your system, the answer is usually around 4 days. After taking it, the drug can often be detected in your body through urine, blood, or other tests during that time. Keep in mind that factors like your metabolism, dosage, and frequency of use can all influence exactly how long Xanax remains traceable.

If you’re wondering how long does Suboxone stay in your system, the answer can vary from person to person. In most cases, Suboxone shows up in urine tests for several days, and in some situations, it may be detectable even longer. The effects of the medication itself can also outlast the detection window. While buprenorphine—the main ingredient—remains in the body for days, naloxone (the second component) typically clears much faster, often within about 24 hours.

If you’re wondering how long does fentanyl stay in your system, the answer can differ depending on the person. In most cases, fentanyl and its metabolites can be detected in urine for about 1 to 2 days after use, but sometimes it may show up longer. The detection window depends on several factors, including how much was taken, how often it’s used, your body’s metabolism, and the type of drug test.

If you’re wondering how long do opioids stay in your system, the answer really depends on the type of opioid, how much was taken, and your body’s metabolism. In most cases, opioids can be detected in urine for about 2 to 4 days after use. However, certain opioids with longer half-lives may stay in the system even longer, especially with frequent or heavy use. The exact detection time also varies based on the type of drug test being used.

If you’re wondering how long does weed stay in your system, the answer depends a lot on how often you use it and how your body processes the drug. For occasional users, marijuana may only be detectable in urine for a few days to a week. But for frequent or heavy users, THC can linger much longer—sometimes showing up on urine tests for up to 30 days. Your metabolism, body fat, and even the type of drug test all play a role in how long it stays in your system.

If you’re wondering how long does Ambien stay in your system, the answer is that its effects usually last around 8 hours, which is why it’s commonly prescribed as a sleep aid. However, just because the drowsiness wears off doesn’t mean the drug is completely gone. Ambien can often be detected in urine for up to 72 hours after use, depending on factors like your dosage, how often you take it, and your individual metabolism.

If you’re wondering how long does methadone stay in your system, the answer is that it can usually be detected in urine for about 7 to 10 days after the last dose. However, this isn’t the same for everyone—factors like your metabolism, how often you use methadone, and the dose you take all play a role. In some cases, methadone can even be traced in hair follicle tests for several months, making it one of the longer-lasting opioids in the body.

If you’re wondering how long does Percocet stay in your system, the answer is that it can usually be detected in urine for about 3 to 4 days after the last dose. Still, the exact amount of time varies for each person. Your metabolism, the dose you’ve taken, how often you use it, and even the type of drug test can all influence how long Percocet remains detectable in your body.