Learn how long opioids are detectable in blood, urine, saliva, and hair, and how to get help if you test positive for opiates.
Most opiates are Schedule II drugs, meaning that while they have legitimate medical purposes, they also have a high potential for abuse. The more common term, opioid, encompasses both naturally occurring opiates and synthetic, or man-made opioid drugs that are derived from morphine.
What’s The Difference Between Opiates & Opioids?
The information below can help you learn more about these medications, their potential dangers and how to get help foropioid addictionif you or a loved one develop one.
How Long Do Opioids Stay In Your System?
Since all opioids are different, the data below reflects opioids in general, although specific drugs may vary. For example, hydrocodone is not detectable in saliva until 12 hours after the last use.
Detection In Urine Tests:
Detection In Blood Tests:
Detection In Saliva Tests:
Detection In Hair Tests:
The half-life for opiates can range from one to nine hours. For instance, the half-life of immediate-release morphine is two to four hours, the half-life of codeine is three hours, and the half-life of hydrocodone formulated with acetaminophen is four hours. The amount of time that opiates can be detected in your system relies on the type of test.
Why Do People Abuse Opioids?
Some of the side effects of opiates can be pleasurable for people, even those who wouldn’t normally abuse drugs. For example, opiates can cause a sense of well-being, euphoria, calmness or relaxation.
When you use opiates for a long time, especially when you don’t take them as prescribed, they can become habit-forming and you may find yourself with a physical or psychological dependence on them. If abused for long enough, you could end up with a substance use disorder.
Negative Side Effects of Abuse:
Opiate abuse can also lead to side effects that people find less appealing, such as:
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Overdose
- Slow breathing
- Weakness
Which Opioids Are The Most Commonly Abused?
Opiates are used primarily as pain relievers, but some opiates have specific purposes. For instance, morphine is a Schedule II narcotic analgesic used for moderate to severe pain.
Other Commonly Abused Opiates:
The most common way people take prescription opiates is in pill form. Illicit opiates are often ingested by injecting, snorting or smoking the substance, such as with heroin.
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone
- Vicodin
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
What Sort Of Treatment Is Available For Opioid Abuse?
There are many ways to approachopioid addiction treatmentand recovery, such as:
