Drug Testing has become an inevitable process in work places, legal proceedings, divorce cases and on probation. This administering of the test is to screen for some of the drugs and substances which are already prohibited legally. Also consumption of alcohol is also restricted in industries, concerns and in construction and transportation department. But due to drug addiction and drug overdose some employees report to work after consuming them.
The point of concern is how long these drugs stay in a human body and how long they can be detected. Some of the drugs stay in the body for months and some of them get excreted very quickly within hours. The drug stay in body depends upon the nature of the drug consumed, the dosage of the drug and the frequency of consumption.
The drug stay in body is determined by drug testing using Urine, Blood, Hair, Saliva and Sweat as samples. Out of these human samples Urine Drug Testing is the most commonly used to determine the drug stay in the human body. However Hair Drug Testing has a longer detection window of 90 days and can be effectively used for calculating the concentration of drug stay in body. If there is a drug addiction hair drug testing can easily detect the drug consumption for the past 90 days.
Duration of drug stay in a human body
In general when a drug is consumed it is absorbed by the blood stream depending upon the method in which it is consumed. If a drug is taken in the form of a tablet it is absorbed by the stomach walls and then enters the blood system. The process starts in few minutes but takes nearly 2 hours to reach the maximum concentration in the blood stream.
These drugs are eliminated by the human body through excretion, which is the removal of waste materials from the body fluids. Mainly the excretion occurs through urine which is formed in the kidneys. The other form of excretion from the body includes sweat, saliva, tears, bile, faeces, milk and exhaled breath. Let us see in detail how long the most common drugs stay in the body.
Marijuana
Millions of people are under drug addiction and consume Marijuana either for medicinal or recreational use. It contains a chemical called Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which makes a person to feel high. It can be detected up to 30 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 4 hours in the blood test and up to 72 days in the saliva test.
Opioids
The misuse and overdose of Opioids have affected over 10 millions. Opioids include fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine.
Morphine can be detected up to 3 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 3 days in the blood test and up to 3 days in the saliva test.
Codeine can be detected up to 3 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 24 hours in the blood test and up to 4 days in the saliva test.
Fentanyl can be detected up to 3 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test and up to 2 days in the blood test.
Heroin can be detected up to 3 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 6 hours in the blood test and up to 1 hour in the saliva test.
Hydrocodone can be detected up to 4 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 24 hours in the blood test and up to 36 hours in the saliva test.
Methadone can be detected up to 12 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 24 hours in the blood test and up to 10 days in the saliva test.
Oxycodone can be detected up to 4 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 24 hours in the blood test and up to 4 days in the saliva test.
Propoxyphene can be detected up to 10 days in the urine test and up to 90 days in the hair test.
Tramadol can be detected up to 72 hours in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 48 hours in the blood test and up to 48 hours in the saliva test.
Benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepines are used as sedatives and often prescribed for insomnia and anxiety. They include Valium, Xanax and Klonopin. They can be detected up to 6 days in the urine test, up to 30 days in the hair test, up to 3 days in the blood test and up to 8 hours in the saliva test.
Phencyclidine
It affects ones memory and consciousness. It can be detected up to 4 weeks in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 24 hours in the blood test and up to 10 days in the saliva test.
Ecstasy
It produces sleep disturbances, depression, lack of appetite and concentration problem. It can be detected up to 4 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 2 days in the blood test and up to 2 days in the saliva test.
Cocaine
Drug overdose of Cocaine causes heart attacks, strokes, respiratory failure and seizures. It can be detected up to 3 days in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 24 hours in the blood test and up to 48 hours in the saliva test.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates cause drowsiness and intoxication. It can be detected up to 6 weeks in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 72 hours in the blood test and up to 72 hours in the saliva test.
Alcohol
Many people are under drug addiction and also under the influence of alcohol which makes them dizzy and confused. It can be detected up to 48 hours in the urine test, up to 90 days in the hair test, up to 24 hours in the blood test and up to 3 days in the saliva test.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long a drug does stay in a body?
The drug stay in body depends upon the nature of the drug consumed, the dosage of the drug and the frequency of consumption. Some drugs stay up to months and some other up to few days only.
2. What is a drug overdose?
In general some of the drugs are prescribed as medicines for anxiety and insomnia. But when they are consumed in more quantity than prescribed it is called as drug overdose.
3. What is meant by drug addiction?
Initially just for socialising and relaxation, people start to consume drugs and alcohol which causes health problems. In due course they are so under the influence of the drugs that they cannot live without it and consume it all the time. This is termed as drug addiction.
4. What are the means of drug excretion in a body?
Mainly the excretion occurs through urine which is formed in the kidneys. The other form of excretion from the body includes sweat, saliva, tears, bile, faeces, milk and exhaled breath.
5. Which type of drug testing is fruitful in long time detection?
Hair follicle retains the drug metabolites for a long time. Hence Hair Drug Testing is used for long duration since it has a long detection window of 90 days.
