116 Court Street, Suite B1, Plymouth, MA 02360 How long do drugs remain in your system? Drug Test Detection Times refer to the "window" of detection for drugs of abuse. If a person is tested too soon or too long after use, drugs may not show up in human urine. Often someone will ask us, How long do drugs stay in the body? This short guide will help to answer that question. For the purposes of clarity, this guide is a reference for the detection of drugs of abuse found in human urine. Full disclaimer this is a guide. How long do drugs stay in your system? The length of time that the presence of drugs of abuse in the body can be detected is an important factor in drug screening. The chart below outlines approximate duration times. When interpreting the duration for the presence of drugs of abuse in the body, you must take into consideration variables including the body's metabolism, the subjects physical condition, overall body fluid balance, state of hydration and frequency of usage. Drug Detection Times in urine are expressed below in terms of lower and upper boundaries. The amount of time that a drug/metabolite remains detectable in urine can vary, depending on the following factors: • Amount and Frequency of Use: Single, isolated, small doses are generally detectable at the lower boundary. Chronic and long-term use typically result in detection periods near or at the upper boundary. • Metabolic Rate: Individuals with slower body metabolism are prone to longer drug detection periods. • Body Mass: In general, human metabolism slows with increased body mass, resulting in longer drug detection periods. In addition, THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) and PCP are known to accumulate in fatty lipid tissue. Chronic users, physically inactive users, and individuals with a high percentage of body fat in relation to total body mass are prone to longer drug detection periods for THC and PCP. • Age: In general, human metabolism slows with age, resulting in longer drug detection periods. • Overall Health: In general, human metabolism slows during periods of deteriorating health, resulting in longer drug detection periods. • Drug Tolerance: Users typically metabolize a drug faster once a tolerance to the drug is established. • Urine pH: Urine pH can impact drug detection periods. Typically, highly acidic urine results in shorter drug detection periods. • Note: In a small percentage of cases, users may test positive longer than times shown - most notably in cases of long-term chronic abuse, in individuals with significant body mass and/or body fat, and in individuals with health related issues resulting in abnormally slow body metabolism. Drug Detection Times in Urine Drug / Drug Group Time Range • Alcohol 24 hours or less • Amphetamines 1 to 4 days • Barbiturates Short-acting: 1 to 3 days Long-acting (Barbital, Phenobarbital): 1 to 3 weeks • Benzodiazepines Short-term Therapeutic Use: 1 to 3 days Long-term / Chronic Use: 1 to 3 weeks • Cocaine 1 to 5 days • LSD 1 to 2 days • Marijuana (THC) Casual Use: 1 to 7 days Long-Term / Chronic Use: 1 to 4 weeks Note: THC, the primary active ingredient in marijuana, is stored by the body in fatty lipid tissue. From there, it is slowly released into the bloodstream for up to several weeks - depending on the amount and frequency of use and the user's level of physical activity. In chronic and physically inactive users, THC may accumulate in fatty tissues faster than it can be eliminated. This accumulation leads to longer detection periods for these individuals. Also, users with a high percentage of body fat in relation to total body mass are prone to longer drug detection periods for marijuana. • MDMA (Ecstasy) 1 to 4 days • Methadone 1 to 4 days • Methamphetamines 1 to 4 days • Opiates 1 to 5 days • PCP (Phencyclidine) Casual Use: 1 to 7 days Long-Term / Chronic Use: 1 to 4 weeks Note: PCP is stored by the body in fatty lipid tissue. From there, it is slowly released into the bloodstream for up to several weeks - depending on the amount and frequency of use and the user's level of physical activity. In chronic and physically inactive users, PCP may accumulate in fatty tissues faster than it can be eliminated. This accumulation leads to longer detection periods for these individuals. Also, users with a high percentage of body fat in relation to total body mass are prone to longer drug detection periods for PCP. For complete information on Drug Testing, visit Drug Classes and Descriptions: THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol/Marijuana) This drug can be either a stimulant or a sedative depending on the strain used. It is either smoked or eaten and causes a feeling of being "high" for several hours after use. Several regularly observed physical effects are an increase in heart rate, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth, dry throat and increase in appetite. Use of this drug may decrease short-term memory and comprehension, alter the sense of time and reduce ability to perform certain tasks such as driving a car. This drug can also produce paranoia and psychosis. Some terms for this drug are: marijuana, weed, grass, pot, reefer, joint, roach, mary jane, maui wowie, loco weed. COC (Cocaine) This drug has similar effects of alcohol. If taken in small amounts it can produce a calm state and relaxed muscles. Larger doses can cause a slurring of speech, staggered gait and an altered perception. Very large doses can cause a decrease in respirations, coma or death. When in combination, alcohol and depressants can multiply the effects of both which would increase risk. Some terms for this drug are: bump, coke, snow, candy, toot and flake C. It can be ingested by snorting, smoking, injection or oral consumption. The substance is a white crystalline powder usually mixed with other substances such as corn starch, powdered milk, sugars or flour. M-AMP (Methamphetamine/Speed/Ecstasy) This drug is a stimulant and can cause an increase in heart and respiratory rates, along with elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils and decrease in appetite. Users may also experience sweating, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, sleeplessness and anxiety. Very high doses can cause rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of coordination and physical collapse. When used in injection form there is a sudden increase in blood pressure that can result in stroke, very high fever or heart failure. Users of this drug report feeling restless, anxious and have mood swings. With increased doses comes increased effects. Users, over a long period of time, can develop an amphetamine psychosis which could include hallucinations, delusions and paranoia. AMP (Amphetamine) Amphetamines are substances taken to boost energy, mood and confidence, as well as to suppress appetite(Amphetamine is a collective term given to amphetamines, dextroamphetamines and methamphetamines, all of which act similarly in the body. Out of these, methamphetamines are the strongest. (In the 1930s, they were used in nasal decongestants and to treat narcolepsy, ADHD and minimal brain dysfunction.) OPI (Morphine and Heroin This drug is also a stimulant and has similar effects as methamphetamine (ecstasy). Terms for this drug are: white stuff, miss emma, monkey, "M". The form is usually white crystals, hypodermic tablets or injectable solutions. Ingestion can be either orally, smoked or through injection. OxyContin is a tradename for the narcotic oxycodone hydrochloride (HCl), an opiate agonist. Oxycodone, a semisynthetic opioid derived from the opioid alkaloid thebaine, is similar to codeine, methadone, and morphine in producing opiate-like effects. Source: DEA Drug Intelligence Brief, "OxyContin: Pharmaceutical Diversion." March 2002 Oxycodone is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act because of its high propensity to cause dependence and abuse. PCP (Phencyclidine) This drug interrupts the functions of the neocortex, the part of the brain which controls intellect and instinct. The drug also blocks pain receptors which could cause violent PCP episodes resulting in self-inflicted injuries. PCP effects vary, but most frequently there is a sense of distance and estrangement. Time and body movements slow down and muscular coordination worsens along with the senses being dulled. Speech is blocked and incoherent. After chronic use there is paranoid and violent behavior along with hallucinations. Large doses of this drug could produce convulsions, coma, as well as heart and lung failure. This drug is a hallucinogen. BZO (Benzodiazepines) Sedative-hypnotics are Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants and are a category of drugs that slow normal brain function. There are numerous CNS depressants; most act on the brain by affecting the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that facilitate communication between brain cells. GABA works by decreasing brain activity. Although the different classes of CNS depressants work in unique ways, ultimately it is through their ability to increase GABA activity that they produce a drowsy or calming effect that is beneficial to those suffering from anxiety or sleep disorders. BAR (Barbiturates) These drugs are central nervous system depressants. They are typically used as sedatives, hypnotics and anticonvulsants. The usual method of ingestion is by oral capsules or tablets. The symptoms seen when someone is taking these drugs looks like those of being intoxicated with alcohol. Chronic use of barbiturates will lead to physical dependence and higher levels of tolerance. There are short-acting barbiturates such as Secobarbital (Seconal) which when taken for 2 to 3 months can produce physical dependence. There are also long-acting barbiturates such as Phenobarbital (Nembutal and Luminal). Some other terms for barbiturates are: Amobabital (Amytal), Yellow Jackets, Reds, Blues, Amy's, and Rainbows. Drug Class Continue….. MTD (Methadone) Methadone is used for treatment of moderate to severe pain and for opiate dependence of such drugs as heroin, Vicodin, Percocet and morphine. This drug is a narcotic analgesic and in most States a person must go to a pain clinic or methadone maintenance clinic for this prescription. This is a long-acting pain reliever which lasts from approximately 12 to 48 hours after ingestion. The withdrawal from methadone is more prolonged than that of heroin. Some other terms for methadone are: Amidone, burdock, dollies, jungle juice, junk, dolls, mud, phyamps, red rock, tootsie roll, fizzies, balloons, breaze, buzz bomb, and cartridges. TCA (Tricyclic Antidepressants) These drugs are typically used for the treatment of depression type disorders. Overdoses can produce central nervous system depression and heart disorders. Tricyclic antidepressants are the most common cause of death from prescription drugs. These medications are taken orally and sometimes by injection. Some names for drugs which are tricyclic antidepressants are: amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor) and protriptyline (Vivactil). Helpful Links: The following is a chart showing the minimum and maximum detection time, on average, that certain drugs stay in a person's system.* Substance Minimum Alcohol Amphetamines (AMP) Barbiturates (BAR) Maximum 24 hours 2-7 hours 2-4 days 4 to 6 hours 4.5 days for short acting 10 days for long-acting Benzodiazepines (BZO) 4 to 6 hours up to 10 days Buprenorphine (BUP) 4 to 6 hours up to 10 days Cannabinoids (THC) 2 Hours Infrequent user: up to 10 days Chronic user: 6 weeks Cocaine Metabolite (COC) 1.25 - 4 hours 2-3 days 30 days or longer Cotinine (NIC) Methadone (MTD) 2-7 hours 2-4 days Methamphetamine (MAMP) 2-7 hours 2-4 days Methaqualone Up to 10 days Methylenedioxymethamphetam 2-4 hours ine (MDMA) 1-3 days Opiates (OPI) 2.5 hours 2-3 days Oxycodone (OXY) 2.5 hours 2-3 days Phencyclidine (PCP) 4-6 hours 7-14 days Propoxyphene 4-6 hours 7-14 days Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) 4-6 hours up to 10 days http://www.passyourdrugtest.com/tim etable.htm http://www.dol.gov/elaws/asp/drugfre e/drugs/screen92.asp http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide www.DrugTestingResource.com