Many variables may affect the amount of time that a drug remains detectable in the urine or other biological samples, including a drug’s half-life, the subject’s state of hydration and fluid balance, frequency of use, route of administration, cut-off concentration used by the testing lab to detect the drug, and many other variables. Each person and circumstance is different, and the best way to avoid detection of an abusable drug is to not use the drug.
Drugs detection in the body
General guidelines are available for detection times. Many drugs stay in the system from 2 to 4 days, although chronic use of marijuana can stay in the system for 3 to 4 weeks or even longer after the last use. Drugs with a long half-life, such as diazepam, may also stay in the system for a prolonged period of time. Drugs can be detected in hair samples up to six months, although urine samples are used for most workplace drug screening tests. Examples of drugs that can be detected in hair-testing include alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines.
| DRUG | CLASS | STREET NAME | PRESCRIPTION BRAND NAME EXAMPLES | DETECTION TIME IN URINE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amphetamine | Stimulant | speed | Dexedrine, Benzedrine | Up to 2 days |
| Barbiturates | depressants / sedatives / hypnotics | downers, barbs, reds | Amytal, Fiorinal, Nembutal, Donna | short-acting: 2 days long-acting: 1-3 weeks (based on half-life) |
| Benzodiazepines | depressants / sedatives / hypnotics | bennies | Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Serax | therapeutic dose: 3 days chronic use: 4-6 weeks or longer |
| Cocaine (Benzoyl ecgonine metabolite) | Stimulant | coke, crack, rock cocaine | N/A | Up to 4 days |
| Codeine | Analgesic / Opiate | N/A | N/A | 2 days |
| Ethyl alcohol, Ethanol | depressants / sedatives / hypnotics | alcohol, liquor, beer, wine booze | N/A | urine: 2 to 12 hours serum/plasma: 1 to 12 hours |
| Heroin | Analgesic / Opiate | smack, tar, chasing the tiger | N/A | 2 days |
| Marijuana, Can- nabinoids | Hallucinogen | pot, dope, weed, hash, hemp | Marinol, Cesamet | Single use: 2 to 7 days Prolonged, chronic use: 1 to 2 months or longer |
| Methadone | Analgesic / Opiate | fizzies | Dolophine | 3 days |
| Methamphetamine | Stimulant | speed, ice, crystal, crank | Desoxyn, Methedrine | Up to 2 days |
| Methaqualone | depressants / sedatives / hypnotics | ludes, disco bisquits, 714, lemmons | Quaalude (off U.S. market) | Up to 14 days |
| MDMA (Methylenedioxy- methamphetamine) | Stimulant | ecstacy, XTC, ADAM, lover’s speed | N/A | Up to 2 days |
| Morphine | Analgesic / Opiate | N/A | Duramorph, Roxanol | 2 days |
| Phencyclidine | Hallucinogen | PCP, angel dust | N/A | 8-14 days, but up to 30 days in chronic users |
| Propoxyphene | Analgesic / Opiate | N/A | Darvocet, Darvon (all form of propoxyphene withdrawn from US market in November 2010) | 6 hours to 2 days |
*Note: This table should be used as a general guideline only. Many variables may affect the amount of time that a drug remains detectable in the urine or other biological samples, including a drug’s half-life, the subject’s state of hydration and fluid balance, frequency of use, route of administration, cut-off concentration used by the testing lab to detect the drug, or other variables.