As you navigate recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD), you may wonder how long opioids stay in your system. You might also be concerned about how opioid use could affect your treatment.

It’s natural to be curious about the time it takes for a substance to fully leave your body. For opioids, the answer depends on several factors. We’ll cover those in this article.

Different Tests Can Have Different Results

Drug tests don’t all work the same way. Some can detect opioids in your system much longer than others. Here’s a quick overview of common drug test types and how long different opioids may be detected with each one.

Detection times are estimates. They can vary based on the test, the dose, how often opioids are used, and how the body processes them.

Urine Tests

Urine (pee) tests are the most common type of drug test because they’re affordable and provide fast results. For a urine test, you’ll be asked to provide a sample of your urine in a sterile cup at a testing center or clinic. Someone might supervise you as you collect the sample to verify that the sample is your own.

Here’s about how long different opioids can show up on a urine test after your last use. The times listed are the longest each drug is usually detectable:

• Heroin — 3 days
• Fentanyl — 3 days
• Codeine — 3 days
• Hydrocodone — 4 days
• Oxycodone — 4 days
• Methadone — 12 days

Blood Tests

Blood tests can detect drugs in your bloodstream and are most often used in emergency settings for fast and accurate results. A phlebotomist (the person who draws a blood sample) finds a vein in your arm or hand, collects a blood sample from the vein, and sends it to a lab for testing.

Here’s about how long different opioids can show up on a blood test after your last use. The times listed are the longest each drug is usually detectable:

• Heroin — 6 hours
• Fentanyl — 48 hours
• Codeine — 24 hours
• Hydrocodone — 24 hours
• Oxycodone — 24 hours
• Methadone — 24 hours

Saliva Tests

Many opioids can also be detected in saliva (spit) samples. An oral drug test, also called a mouth swab, involves collecting a saliva sample from the inside of your cheek or gums using a cotton swab. You might be given saliva tests for monitoring during an OUD treatment program.

Here’s about how long different opioids can show up on a saliva test after you use them. The times listed are the longest each drug is usually detectable:

• Heroin — 1 hour
• Codeine — 4 days
• Hydrocodone — 36 hours
• Oxycodone — 4 days
• Methadone — 10 days

Hair Tests

Hair tests can detect opioids for the longest amount of time. They also provide more information than other tests. A hair follicle test can tell medical providers when you used opioids, for how long, and whether you’ve stopped using them. However, it takes a longer time to get results from a hair test than from a blood, urine, or saliva test.

Opioids can be detected on a hair test for up to 90 days. Because of this longer window, healthcare providers may use hair tests to detect long-term or repeated opioid use.

Can Opioids Stay in Your System After Withdrawal Symptoms Stop?

The amount of time opioid withdrawal symptoms last depends on the type of opioid. Withdrawal symptoms from fast-acting opioids like heroin start between six and 12 hours after your last dose and can last for four to five days. Withdrawal symptoms from slow-acting opioids like methadone can last longer than a week.

That said, opioids are still detectable on some drug tests even after withdrawal symptoms go away. Because hair tests can detect opioids for up to three months after use, withdrawal symptoms may be gone by the time of your drug test.

Your Opioid Tolerance After Stopping

It’s important to note that your tolerance for opioids decreases after you stop using them. That means, if you start using them again, you’ll have a lower tolerance, which can put you at an increased risk of overdose.

If you’re in recovery, being fully transparent about your most recent opioid use can help your care team support you in avoiding opioid relapse or overdose. They can direct you to helpful substance use disorder resources, including mental healthcare.

Abruptly stopping opioid use can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms or pain flare-ups. Work closely with your care team to safely taper off opioids, especially after regular use, to manage possible withdrawal symptoms and lower the risk of pain flares.

Join the Conversation

On MyOpioidRecoveryTeam, people share their experiences with opioid use disorder, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What steps have you taken to safely recover from opioid use? Let others know in the comments below.