Prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol all remain in the system for a specific amount of time after they are consumed. But the amount of time each particular drug remains in the body will depend on several factors.
In this article, you’ll learn which factors contribute to how long specific drugs stay in your body after use, as well as which treatment options are available to help you overcome addiction.
How Long Will Drugs Stay in My Body?
The exact amount of time drugs will stay in your body will depend on several factors. These factors include:
- Age
- Weight
- Sex
- Hydration levels
- Frequency of use
- Dosage amount
- Physical health
- Any medical conditions present
- Whether or not any other drugs were taken
- Drug tolerance
- Metabolic rate
- The drug’s half-life
What is the Half-Life of Drugs?
The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes for 50% of the drug to be metabolized by the body and removed from the system.
A drug’s half-life can depend on several things, including your metabolic rate. It can vary from just a few hours to several weeks. Drugs with a longer half-life will stay in the body longer and therefore, appear on a drug test for longer. Drugs with a shorter half-life leave the body more quickly and appear on a drug test for a short amount of time.
Additionally, a drug’s half life plays a role in how quickly the withdrawal symptoms will be felt. Drugs with a shorter half-life will produce physical withdrawal symptoms more quickly than drugs with a longer half-life.
Can Drugs Be Detected in Urine?
Yes, drugs can be detected in urine. In fact, a urine drug test is one of the most common forms of drug testing. This is largely because it’s easy to collect urine and also because the concentration of drugs tends to be very high.
Drug tests such as blood testing and hair testing can typically detect drugs over a longer time period, but they are not as commonly used.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in the Body?
Adderall is commonly prescribed to treat ADHD. It can stay in the body for several days.
Urine testing can detect Adderall for 72 to 96 hours from the time of last use.
How Long Do Benzodiazepines Stay in the Body?
Benzodiazepines are sedatives and can include drugs such as Xanax and many others. While the exact amount of time they remain in the body will depend on the specific drug taken, they can remain for potentially weeks.
Urine testing can detect benzos for 1 to 4 days from the last use.
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in the Body?
Fentanyl is a prescription drug that is used to treat severe pain and/or chronic pain. It can remain in the body for weeks.
Urine testing can detect fentanyl for 1 to 3 days from the last use.
How Long Does Heroin Stay in the Body?
Heroin is an opiate that is extracted from poppy plants. Heroin can remain in the body for up to a week.
Urine testing can detect heroin for 1 to 3 days from the last use.
How Long Does Kratom Stay in the Body?
Kratom is an over-the-counter drug that produces feelings of energy or euphoria depending on the dosage. This drug can stay in your system for up to a week, and occasionally longer.
Urine testing can detect kratom for up to 7 days from the last use.
How Long Does Meth Stay in the Body?
Meth is a stimulant drug also known as crystal meth. This drug can remain in your system for up to a week, but sometimes much longer.
Urine testing can detect this drug for 2 to 3 days from the last use.
How Long Do Opioids Stay in the Body?
Opioids include many prescription drugs and narcotic drugs, pain medications, and synthetic opioids. These can include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others. Opioids can stay in your system for up to a week.
Urine testing can detect these drugs for 1 to 3 days from the last use.
How Long Does Xanax Stay in the Body?
Xanax is one of many commonly abused prescription drugs and is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, as well as address insomnia. It can stay in your system for up to a week.
Urine testing can detect Xanax for 5 to 7 days from the last use.
How Can I Pass a Drug Test?
To pass a drug test, do not take drugs. There are no shortcuts to take in order to effectively pass a drug test other than abstaining from the drugs themselves.
Detox for Drug Addiction
If you’re struggling with drug addiction, detox is the first step on your path to sobriety. Detox for drug use helps to clear the body of any drugs. The withdrawal symptoms typically last a week, but this will vary depending on your overall health, which drug you were using, length of use, and the amount you were taking.
At Enlight Treatment Center, our addiction treatment specialists will make the process as comfortable and safe as possible for you.
Addiction Treatment After Detox
After your detox, our Inpatient Rehab Program provides you with around-the-clock support and enables you to live on-site at our facility. You’ll receive an individulized treatment plan that caters to your specific needs. This can include Dual Diagnosis treatment if you are also suffering from any co-occurring mental health conditions/mental health disorder.
Do You Need Substance Abuse Treatment?
You might need substance abuse treatment if you:
- Commonly abuse prescription drugs, illegal drugs, narcotics, alcohol, or other drugs
- Have tried to quit but are unable to stop your drug use
- Experience physical and mental health issues from drug use
- Neglect other activities and daily responsibilities (including spending time with family, friends, practicing hobbies, or going to work)
- Experiencing financial troubles due to drug use
Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to serious health conditions, including physical issues with the heart, affecting liver and kidney function, and even damaging the brain, among many other complications. It can also cause mental health issues and/or worsen existing conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, and others.
Get Help For Your Drug Abuse Addiction
Enlight Treatment Center provides in-house drug and alcohol addiction treatment in Ventura, California, allowing clients to fully concentrate on solving their addiction issues and regain hope and optimism about their future. We offer exceptional and effective detox services, inpatient rehab programs, and dual diagnosis treatment.
If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, were are here to help.
- Reviewed by Lilit Asulyan, Psy. D
