Drug tests can measure heroin in saliva, blood, urine, and hair for different lengths of time. In a new mother, heroin can pass through breast milk and harm the baby.
Heroin(diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid that is used as a recreational drug. All opioid drugs work similarly interacting withmu opioid receptorsin thecentral nervous system, which reduces the perception of pain and enhances the feeling of well-being.
Certain factors, such as the length of time used and the person’s weight,can affecthow long heroin stays in the system. Further, different types of drug tests are able to detect heroin use for varying amounts of time, depending on the test type.
Article at a Glance:
There are a few key points to remember about heroin and drug tests:
- Heroin can be detected in saliva, blood, urine, and hair.
- Saliva test:60 minutes
- Urine test:48 hours
- Hair test:90 days
- Factors like body weight, length of addiction and liver health can affect detection times.
- Heroin and its metabolites pass through breast milk and can cause a baby to overdose. Do not breastfeed while using heroin.
Heroin Showing Up on Drug Tests
When heroin enters the body, it is rapidly broken down into other substances called metabolites. The half-life of heroin in blood is about three minutes. Because it takes around five half-lives for the body to get rid of a drug, heroin itself will be undetectable in the blood after about 15 minutes. However, heroin’s metabolites have longer half-lives, meaning they can be detected for much longer. These metabolites include morphine as well as 6-acetylmorphine (6-MAM).
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6-MAM is a metabolite that is unique to heroin. Drug tests will test for 6-MAM to confirm heroin use specifically, as opposed to the use of other opioids. The half-life of 6-MAM is30 minutes, so it stays in the system for around 150 minutes — much longer than its parent drug, heroin.
Heroin Detection in Urine
Heroin Detection in Hair
Heroin Detection in Blood
Heroin Detection in Saliva
Heroin Detection in Breast Milk
False Positive Results
Factors That Affect How Long Heroin Stays in the System
Different factors can impact how long heroin stays in the body,including:
- Body mass:Overweight people have heroin and 6-MAM in their system longer than people with less body fat.
- Drug interactions with prescription and non-prescription drugs:Certain drugs share the same metabolic enzymes as heroin. Heroin may compete with other drugs, making heroin and 6-MAM stick around longer for drug test detection.
- Length of addiction:People who are exposed to heroin less frequently will clear the drug from their system more quickly than those who are exposed on a regular basis.
- Liver problems:Heroin is converted into its breakdown productsin the liver. For this reason, a person with liver abnormalities may process heroin differently than a person with a healthy liver. This makes it more difficult to predict how long heroin can be detected in the body.
How Does Weight Affect Heroin Detection
Similar to many other drugs, weight and body masscan increasethe amount of time heroin is detected. Drug tests will detect heroin and 6-MAM longer in people who weigh more because the drugs will release slowly into the bloodstream. High body fat may extend the window of heroin detection by several days.
Overdose Risk
Heroin overdoses can be deadly, and overdose death rates havesurgedsince the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Heroin overdose symptoms are similar to those of other opioids and mayinclude:
- Small pupils
- Slowed or shallow breathing
- Clammy skin
- Bluish-colored nails and skin
- Unresponsiveness
A heroin overdose is a medical emergency that can have fatal outcomes. If you have the opioid reversal agent naloxone available, you should administer it immediately and then call 911.
How to Get Heroin Out of Your System
The only way to get heroin out of your system is to stop using the drug, which gives your body time to metabolize and remove it. Quitting suddenly can result in uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, so consult your doctor about treatment options. Professional help from aninpatient or outpatient programmay be needed.
If you need to get heroin out of your system because you think you’ve taken too much and are at risk of overdose, seek medical help immediately.Heroin overdose symptoms include:
- Slow and shallow breathing
- Blue lips and fingernails
- Clammy skin
- Seizure
Drug overdose can be fatal. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately.Do NOT be afraid to seek help. If you do not have access to a phone, contactWeb Poison Control Servicesfor online assistance.
Getting Help for Heroin Addiction
Duringheroin detox, the body eliminates and metabolizes heroin. Detox and withdrawal can be uncomfortable and difficult, so many people seek out professional detox programs when deciding to quit heroin. Additionally, attempting to go “cold turkey” or quit without medical assistance can be dangerous.
If you or someone you love is ready to findtreatment for heroin addiction, The Recovery Village is here to help. Our helpful representatives are always available to speak with you abouttreatment programsthat can help you begin a healthier, heroin-free life.Contact ustoday to learn more.
