Drug testing has become increasingly common in recent years, with tests being conducted in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and workplaces. At-home drug tests are also available at local pharmacies for those who need them. Since there are no federal laws restricting this practice, employers use drug testing to ensure a safe work environment and monitor their employees. Given the widespread use of drug tests, it’s important to understand their different types, how they function, and how long various drugs remain in your system.
Familiarizing yourself with these aspects will better prepare you for any upcoming drug tests you may encounter.
How Drug Tests Work
Drug test policies vary widely among companies and organizations. Some may not conduct drug tests at all, while others may perform them periodically, randomly, or as part of the pre-employment process. Hospitals and healthcare facilities also carry out drug tests based on their own criteria, and this practice is even more common in rehabilitation centers.
Many drug tests don’t directly detect the presence of the drug itself but instead identify metabolites—residues produced as the drug is metabolized in the body. The duration these metabolites remain in your system depends on various factors, including the type of drug used, the amount ingested, and other individual factors.
Types of Drug Tests
Organizations have several options when choosing a drug testing method, each affecting how long drugs can be detected after use and the reliability of the results.
Urine Test
Urine tests are among the most commonly used drug tests by employers, courts, and law enforcement agencies. In 2015 alone, over 9 million urine tests were conducted within the U.S. workforce. Their popularity stems from their simplicity, non-invasive nature, and quick turnaround. During a urine test, you will likely be required to use a designated bathroom and leave your belongings outside the restroom. Urine tests typically screen for substances such as amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, nicotine, and alcohol. However, since alcohol is processed rapidly by the body, a urine test must be conducted soon after consumption to ensure accuracy.
Saliva Test
Saliva tests are another option for drug testing, utilized by some employers. Like urine tests, saliva tests detect the parent compound of the drug taken. However, they are less commonly used because they are effective primarily for detecting recent drug use, typically within the past few days. Saliva tests are favored for their non-invasive nature and simplicity, requiring just a quick swab of the inside of the mouth with a pad or foam. They are also relatively inexpensive. Saliva tests can detect substances such as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines.
Blood Test
Blood tests, while not frequently used in workplace settings, are the most accurate for measuring drug and alcohol concentrations in the body. They can determine the level of intoxication more precisely than other tests. However, blood tests are more time-consuming to process than urine tests and have a shorter detection window, typically less than 48 hours for most drugs, though THC and nicotine can be detected for several weeks. Their complexity and invasive nature mean they are generally reserved for use in hospitals, especially during toxicology reports.
Hair Test
Hair follicle drug tests are highly effective for detecting drug use over an extended period. By analyzing hair strands, these tests can identify chemical traces of drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and methamphetamines. The test examines the most recent 1.5 inches of hair growth, with each half-inch representing approximately 30 days. Consequently, a hair test can provide information on drug use over the past 90 days. Drugs typically become detectable in hair 4 to 5 days after ingestion and remain until the hair is shed. While hair tests can detect drug use long after consumption, they do not provide information on the quantity of substance used, unlike other testing methods.
Breath Test
Breath tests are a specific type of drug test, mainly used in police investigations, particularly for roadside alcohol testing. Since alcohol is processed quickly by the body and other tests can be time-consuming, breathalyzers are useful for determining if someone is currently under the influence of alcohol.
Duration of Drug Presence in Your System
The length of time drugs stay in your system varies by drug type. While the choice of drug test impacts how far back an employer can examine your drug history, the time a drug remains in your body is largely determined by the drug itself, with each having its own elimination timeline based on its half-life.
Cocaine
Cocaine use is typically detectable for a short period, usually up to about four days after ingestion. However, with chronic or heavy use, the detection window increases. For those who use cocaine heavily, it can be detected in urine for up to 21 days, while blood tests can identify the drug up to 48 hours after the last use. Cocaine can also be found in hair for years after use has ceased.
LSD
LSD is less commonly tested for due to its short detection window. It is generally only detectable in urine tests for up to five days after use. Hair follicle tests, however, can detect LSD for up to 90 days. While specialized tests can analyze blood, urine, and stomach contents for LSD and its metabolites, these are typically used only in specific, exceptional cases.
Methamphetamines
Urine tests are highly effective for detecting methamphetamine use but have a relatively short detection window of about five days. Methamphetamine metabolites can remain in the body for up to four days and can also be detected in saliva and blood for up to three days after use.
Opiates
The duration opiates remain detectable in the body varies depending on the specific drug. For example, heroin can be detected in urine tests for up to seven days but only for about five hours in saliva tests. Morphine is detectable in blood tests for up to 12 hours after the last dose and in urine tests for up to three days. Fentanyl, a potent and dangerous opioid, can be detected in urine tests for up to three days and in blood tests for up to two days. All opioids can be identified in hair follicle samples for up to 90 days.
Marijuana
The detectability of marijuana in the body depends on usage patterns. Casual use can be detected in urine tests for up to five days, while chronic use may be detectable for several weeks. Since THC is stored in fat cells and gradually released into the bloodstream, blood tests can detect marijuana for up to two weeks.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, are commonly used as sedatives and their detectability varies by specific drug. Xanax, which has gained popularity for recreational use, might not always appear in blood, urine, or hair tests, but when it does, it can be detected for up to seven days. In contrast, Valium can be detected in urine tests for up to six weeks after use but is only detectable in blood for a few days.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates, such as Amytal and Butisol, are depressants used for muscle relaxation and are commonly prescribed for sleep and anxiety issues. Although they are prescription medications, they are often abused and can be fatal. Detection of barbiturates, like benzodiazepines, depends on the specific drug. Short-acting barbiturates can be detected for up to six weeks after use, while long-acting barbiturates may be detectable for up to three weeks.
Other Contributing Factors
The duration drugs remain in your body can be influenced by several factors beyond the type of drug used. Chronic use and addiction can extend the detection window, with individuals struggling with addiction likely to test positive for a longer period.
Physical condition also plays a role in drug metabolism. Those with a faster metabolic rate, often found in individuals who are in better physical shape, may have drugs cleared from their system more quickly. Conversely, individuals with a slower metabolism, typically associated with poorer physical condition, may retain drugs in their system longer. Age is another factor, as metabolic rate can be affected by age, impacting how quickly drugs are processed and eliminated.
Addiction and Drug Tests
As previously mentioned, drug addiction significantly impacts how long drugs remain detectable in the body. Individuals undergoing treatment for substance abuse should expect to undergo periodic drug tests to ensure they are staying on track with their recovery.
Drug tests are common in rehabilitation centers, but relapses are also a reality. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 40 to 60 percent of individuals in treatment for substance abuse experience relapse, a rate comparable to chronic illnesses like asthma.
Regular drug testing during and after treatment can help prevent relapse by holding patients accountable. The NIH highlights that effective treatment involves monitoring drug use throughout the recovery process. Knowing that their drug use is being monitored can serve as a powerful motivator for individuals in recovery, helping them resist urges and maintain their progress. Drug testing can provide early warning of drug use and potential relapses, allowing for adjustments to an individual’s recovery plan.
Continuing drug testing after initial recovery can also support family members or friends in caring for their loved one’s well-being.
In Conclusion
Understanding drug tests is valuable for those seeking treatment at drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers and for individuals in recovery as they seek employment. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, it’s important to seek help and explore treatment options. For more information about addiction counseling, rehab facilities, and treatment options such as detoxification or inpatient and outpatient care, visit the Sunrise Recovery website or contact our staff directly.
