Opioids are a class of drugs, including substances like heroin, morphine, and fentanyl. Some are legal medications, and others are used recreationally and have a potential for danger. Each type of opioid acts differently and stays in your system for different lengths of time. Because of these differences, this article will address several common substances and their effects.
It’s helpful to know how long opioids stay in your system for drug testing and following medical procedures. Keep reading to learn how long various opioids remain in your system and what methods are used to test for the presence of opioids.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids include both natural and synthetic substances known for their pain-relieving properties. They interact with opioid receptors in the brain and body to reduce the perception of pain, but they also have other effects, including the potential for addiction and abuse. Besides pain relief, opioids can produce feelings of euphoria and drowsiness and reduce physical discomfort.
In medical settings, opioids are used to treat both acute and chronic pain and during surgery as part of anesthesia.
Risks and Side Effects of Opioids
Opioids have a high potential for addiction, as the body can become dependent on them, leading to misuse.
Side effects of opioids can include the following:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Itching
- Sweating
Over time, individuals may require higher doses to achieve the same pain-relieving effects, which increases the risk of overdose. Taking too high a dose can lead to life-threatening respiratory depression, where breathing slows or stops.
In recent years, the United States has seen a dramatic increase in opioid-related deaths and addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.
How Long Do Opioids Stay in Your System?
Opioids are detectable through various types of drug tests, each test with its distinct detection window and sensitivity. Urine tests are the most commonly used due to lower cost and relative lack of invasiveness.
The duration that opioids stay in your system can vary widely depending on the specific opioid, the dosage, the frequency of use, the individual’s metabolism, and the type of test used to detect the drug.
How Long Do Opioids Stay in Blood?
While the length of time opioids can be detected by blood tests may vary, these tests typically provide accurate results within the following timeframes:
- Heroin, morphine, and fentanyl are detectable for up to 12 hours in blood
- Oxycodone and hydrocodone are detectable for up to 24 hours in blood
How Long Do Opioids Stay in Blood?
While results may vary, a urinary analysis can typically detect opioids within the following timeframes:
- Heroin, morphine, and fentanyl are detectable for 1-3 days in urine
- Oxycodone and hydrocodone are detectable for 2-4 days in urine
How Long Do Opioids Stay in Hair?
While results may vary, a hair test can typically detect opioids within the following timeframes:
- Heroin, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and hydrocodone are all detectable for up to 90 days in hair
How Long Do Opioids Stay in Saliva?
While results may vary, a saliva test can typically detect opioids within the following timeframes:
- Heroin, morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are detectable for 1-4 days in saliva
- Fentanyl is detectable for 1-3 days in saliva
What Factors Influence How Long Opioids Are in Your System?
Factors influence how long opioids are in your system include:
- Type of opioid: Different opioids have different metabolic pathways and durations in the body.
- Frequency of opioid use: Regular use can lead to longer detection times as opioids accumulate in the body.
- Amount of opioids taken: Higher doses can be detectable for more extended periods.
- Metabolic rate: This varies between individuals, affecting how quickly opioids are processed and eliminated.
- Hydration levels: These can affect urine tests, as well as the concentration of metabolites.
Do Opioids Show Up in Drug Tests?
Short answer – yes. Opioids do show up in drug tests that utilize samples of urine, blood, saliva, and hair to determine the presence of opioids in the system. The test administered depends on the purpose, such as for screening for employment and legal requirements.
Urine Tests
Urine tests are the most common method for testing and can detect opioids 1-4 days after use. Urine testing can detect a range of opioids, including morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Blood Tests
Blood testing is conducted less often than urine tests as they’re more invasive but can be used to detect current impairment or recent use. Opioids are detectable in blood for a shorter period, usually up to 12-24 hours after use. Blood testing is effective in detecting a variety of opioids, including morphine, heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
Saliva Tests
Saliva testing helps detect very recent use of opioids. A saliva test can detect opioids for 1-4 days after the most recent use. This easy and relatively cheap form of testing can detect opioids like morphine, codeine, heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
Hair Tests
For long-term detection of opioid use, hair tests are the gold standard. They can detect opioid use for up to 90 days or more after use and are effective in detecting a wide range of opioids, including those metabolized and incorporated into hair growth.
Opioid Withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal symptoms may depend on what specific type of opioid was used. Short-acting opioids, such as heroin or morphine, can cause withdrawal symptoms that occur only 8 hours after last use and last 4-10 days. Long-acting opioids, such as hydrocodone, can present an onset of withdrawal symptoms 12-48 hours after previous use with a duration of 10-20 days.
Symptoms specific to opioid withdrawals include:
- Nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal distress, diarrhea
- Anxiety and trembling
- Insomnia
- Hot and cold flushes
- Profuse sweating
- Muscle cramping and body aches
- Runny nose and watery eyes
Need Help For Opioid Addiction?
Our admissions team is available around the clock to help you or a loved one get the help you need.
Opioid Detox and Rehab
The first step in treating an opioid addiction is detoxification. This process involves safely removing the drug from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms. It is crucial to undergo detox under medical supervision to ensure safety and comfort during this challenging time.
After detox, our team of medical professionals and therapists will create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. We use evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI) to address the underlying causes of addiction and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Does Insurance Cover Opioid Rehab?
One of the most-asked questions when it comes to treating opioid addiction is whether or not insurance will cover the cost of rehab. If you’re wondering how to pay for rehab, the good news is that insurance can cover part or all of the cost of treatment. All insurance providers and policies are different, but a free insurance verification with the team at Vogue Recovery Center can offer more information about what treatment options for opioid abuse and mental health issues you have available based on your policy.
Don’t hesitate to contact the admissions team at Vogue Recovery Center today and get started with your recovery journey. We are available 24/7 to take your call!
Seeking Help for Opioid Addiction
Due to a high potential for addiction, many people find that they have misused opioids. Long-term recovery is possible with evidence-based therapies that help you heal from the emotional and physical damage caused by addiction.
If you or a loved one is ready to take steps toward recovery from opioid addiction, contact Vogue Recovery Center today. We can help you find custom care that best suits your needs and circumstances. Rebuilding a healthy foundation for lasting recovery is possible.
Medically Reviewed by Kelsey Jones, MS, LPC
