How Long Do Opioids Stay in Your System?

Understanding how long opioids stay in your system is a common concern for people facing employment screening, legal requirements, or planning to taper off these medications safely. In Los Angeles, where the opioid crisis continues to affect thousands of families each year, having accurate information about detection windows and elimination timeframes can support better health decisions.

Opioids are a class of prescription and illicit drugs used primarily for pain relief, but they carry significant risks of addiction, dependence, and overdose. According to the CDC, opioid overdose deaths remain a leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States, with California reporting over 7,000 opioid-related fatalities annually.

This article provides medically accurate information about opioid detection times across different test types and specific drugs. The goal is to offer educational guidance—not to help anyone manipulate test results—while emphasizing that this content is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Quick Answer: How Long Do Opioids Stay in Your System?

Opioids are usually detectable in urine for about 1–4 days, in blood for up to 24 hours, in saliva for 1–4 days, and in hair for up to 90 days, depending on the specific opioid, dose, frequency of use, and individual metabolism.

When people ask how long opioids stay in your system, they may mean either how long they feel the drug’s effects or how long a drug test can detect use. This article focuses primarily on detection windows, with detailed breakdowns for each opioid type covered in later sections.

These estimates represent averages for healthy adults. People with heavy or long-term opioid use—in Los Angeles or anywhere else—may test positive for significantly longer periods. Factors like liver function, body fat percentage, and concurrent substance use can extend these timelines considerably.

For those looking to stop opioid use safely, medical detox can help manage withdrawal symptoms while reducing health risks. Medically supervised drug detox programs in Los Angeles offer support during this challenging transition.

What Are Opioids? (Definition and Types)

Opioids are a class of drugs that bind to opioid receptors in the brain and throughout the central nervous system. They work by blocking pain signals and can produce feelings of euphoria, which contributes to their potential for misuse and dependence.

The term “opioid” encompasses several categories:

• Natural opioids (opiates): Derived directly from the opium poppy, including morphine and codeine
• Semi-synthetic opioids: Chemically modified from natural opiates, including heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone
• Synthetic opioids: Entirely lab-created compounds, including fentanyl and methadone

Common prescription opioids used in Los Angeles healthcare settings include:

• Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone)
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco)
• Morphine (MS Contin, Kadian)
• Codeine (often combined with acetaminophen)
• Fentanyl (Duragesic patches, Actiq lozenges)
• Methadone (Dolophine, used for pain and opioid use disorder treatment)

Heroin remains the most commonly used illicit opioid. According to SAMHSA and CDC data, both prescription opioids and illicit synthetic opioids like fentanyl are major drivers of the ongoing opioid crisis in California and nationwide.

Understanding Opioid Half-Life and Metabolism

The drug’s half-life is the time required for half of the substance to be cleared from your bloodstream. This concept is fundamental to understanding how long opioids remain detectable and why different drugs have different detection windows.

For example:

• Codeine: Half-life of approximately 3 hours
• Oxycodone: Half-life of about 3–5 hours
• Fentanyl: Half-life of 2–12 hours depending on formulation
• Methadone: Half-life of 15–60 hours

It typically takes 4–5 half-lives for a drug to be mostly eliminated from the body. This explains why short-acting opioids clear faster than long-acting formulations.

How Opioids Move Through Your Body

The basic pathway of opioid metabolism involves several stages:

1. Absorption: Opioids enter the bloodstream through oral ingestion, injection, snorting, smoking, or transdermal patches
2. Distribution: The drug travels through blood to the brain’s opioid receptors and other tissues
3. Metabolism: Liver enzymes (primarily the CYP450 system) break down opioids into metabolites
4. Elimination: Kidneys filter metabolites, which are excreted primarily through urine

Short-acting opioids like heroin, immediate-release oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine have shorter half-lives and typically leave the system faster. Long-acting opioids such as methadone, extended-release oxycodone, and fentanyl patches have longer half-lives and extended detection times.

Liver enzymes—particularly CYP2D6 and CYP3A4—play crucial roles in opioid metabolism. People with liver diseases, older age, or kidney disease may clear opioids more slowly, which affects both how long effects last and how long drug tests remain positive.

How Long Do Opioids Stay in Your System by Test Type?

Different drug tests have different detection windows based on what biological sample they analyze. Employers, courts, pain management clinics, and treatment programs in Los Angeles may use one or several test types depending on their specific requirements.

The ranges below represent typical detection windows for most opioids. Detailed information for specific drugs appears in the following section, along with a comprehensive comparison table.

Urine Tests for Opioids

A urine test is the most commonly used opioid drug test in workplace screening, pain management clinics, and treatment programs. It’s non-invasive, relatively inexpensive, and provides a reasonable detection window.

General detection ranges for urine:

• Most short-acting prescription opioids and heroin: 1–3 days after last dose
• Long-acting opioids like methadone: up to 7 days or longer
• Chronic heavy users: potentially 7+ days for some substances

Standard immunoassay urine screens may not detect every synthetic opioid. For example, certain fentanyl analogs require specific panels to be identified. Confirmatory testing using GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) or LC-MS provides more precise results.

Chronic heavy use, higher doses, or reduced kidney function can extend urine detection times beyond typical ranges. SAMHSA guidelines establish cutoff levels for federal workplace testing—typically 300 ng/mL for initial opiate screens and 2000 ng/mL for confirmatory testing.

Blood Tests for Opioids

A blood test is less common for routine screening but more frequently used in emergency rooms, hospital settings, or after accidents to assess recent opioid exposure and current impairment levels.

Typical detection ranges for blood:

• Many opioids detectable for a few hours up to approximately 24 hours
• Methadone and long-acting formulations may be measurable for 24–72 hours
• Heroin itself clears within 2–6 hours, though metabolites persist longer

Blood testing shows current or very recent use, making it valuable in acute medical or legal situations. However, a negative blood test does not rule out opioid use earlier in the week—the detection window is simply too short to capture older use.

Saliva (Oral Fluid) Tests for Opioids

A saliva test offers a non-invasive option increasingly used for roadside checks, workplace testing, and some treatment settings. It mainly reflects recent use.

Typical detection ranges for saliva:

• Most opioids detectable for approximately 1–2 days after last use
• Frequent users may test positive for up to 3–4 days
• Particularly useful for detecting very recent ingestion

Food, mouthwashes, and recent oral dosing can briefly influence concentrations but do not dramatically extend detection periods. Saliva testing correlates well with blood levels for assessing recent use.

Hair Tests for Opioids

Hair tests provide the longest detection window, often showing drug use patterns for up to 90 days or longer with very long hair samples.

Key characteristics of hair testing:

• Detects heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, and other opioids
• More commonly used in legal cases, high-level employment screening, and long-term monitoring
• Does not show very recent use (last 5–7 days) as drugs take time to incorporate into growing hair
• Reflects cumulative use patterns rather than exact timing of a single dose

Hair tests are less useful for clinical care focused on recent use but valuable for establishing longer-term use history.

Drug Test Detection Times for Specific Opioids

Different opioids have different half-lives and detection windows based on their chemical properties and how the body processes them. This section covers six common opioids: heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl, and methadone.

The values provided represent typical averages for healthy adults using therapeutic to moderate doses. Heavy or long-term use can increase detection times substantially. A comparison table follows this section for quick reference.

Heroin: How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System?

Heroin itself has an extremely short half-life of approximately 3–8 minutes. However, it rapidly breaks down into metabolites—primarily 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) and then morphine—which are what drug tests actually detect.

Typical detection ranges for heroin:

Test Type	Detection Window
Urine	1–3 days (6-MAM detectable up to 24 hours)
Blood	Up to ~6 hours for heroin; ~12 hours for morphine metabolite
Saliva	1–2 days
Hair	Up to 90 days or more
Whether heroin is injected, snorted, or smoked, it produces rapid onset effects and relatively fast clearance from blood. However, hair tests can detect use for months afterward.

People who use heroin heavily or multiple times daily may show extended urine detection compared to single-use episodes. Drug abuse patterns significantly impact how long the drug stays detectable.

Oxycodone: How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in Your System?

Oxycodone is found in prescription medications like OxyContin, Percocet, and Roxicodone. Immediate-release forms have a half-life of about 3–5 hours, while extended-release versions last longer.

Typical detection ranges for oxycodone:

Test Type	Detection Window
Urine	1–4 days
Blood	Up to ~24 hours
Saliva	1–2 days
Hair	Up to 90 days
Oxycodone metabolism involves liver enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, producing metabolites like noroxycodone and oxymorphone that tests may also detect. Chronic pain patients in Los Angeles taking daily oxycodone as their prescribed dose may have consistently positive urine tests even when using the medication exactly as directed by their healthcare providers.

Hydrocodone: How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay in Your System?

Hydrocodone (found in Vicodin, Norco, and similar products) is among the most commonly prescribed opioids for moderate to severe pain. It has a half-life of roughly 4 hours in healthy adults.

Typical detection ranges for hydrocodone:

Test Type	Detection Window
Urine	1–3 days
Blood	Up to ~24 hours
Saliva	1–2 days
Hair	Up to 90 days
Hydrocodone is metabolized to hydromorphone and other substances that tests may detect. Frequent dosing, combination products with acetaminophen, and compromised liver function can slightly prolong detection windows.

Morphine: How Long Does Morphine Stay in Your System?

Morphine is a natural opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain, often in hospital or hospice care settings. Immediate-release forms have a half-life of about 2–4 hours.

Typical detection ranges for morphine:

Test Type	Detection Window
Urine	2–3 days
Blood	Up to ~12 hours
Saliva	1–2 days
Hair	Up to 90 days
Because many opioids metabolize into morphine (including heroin and codeine), a positive morphine result can reflect multiple substances. Confirmatory testing often helps identify the original drug. Chronic high-dose morphine therapy may extend urine detection beyond 3 days, especially with kidney impairment.

Fentanyl: How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your System?

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid—approximately 50–100 times stronger than morphine. It’s used medically in patches, lozenges, and IV formulations, but it’s also found illicitly in counterfeit pills and powders throughout Los Angeles and nationwide.

Typical detection ranges for fentanyl:

Test Type	Detection Window
Urine	1–3 days (up to 7+ days with regular use)
Blood	Up to ~24–48 hours
Saliva	1–3 days
Hair	Up to 90 days or longer
Fentanyl has a half-life of roughly 3–12 hours depending on route and formulation. Its high fat solubility allows accumulation in tissues, meaning regular users may test positive for a significantly longer period than single-use individuals.

Critical note: Standard opiate immunoassay urine screens may not detect fentanyl unless a specific fentanyl panel is ordered. This limitation is important in overdose situations and treatment settings. According to DEA data, approximately 99% of street heroin is now laced with fentanyl, dramatically increasing overdose risk.

Methadone: How Long Does Methadone Stay in Your System?

Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opioid used both for chronic pain management and as medication for opioid use disorder through specialized clinics regulated by Health and Human Services.

Typical detection ranges for methadone:

Test Type	Detection Window
Urine	3–7 days (sometimes longer)
Blood	24–72 hours
Saliva	1–4 days
Hair	Up to 90 days
Methadone has a long and highly variable half-life—approximately 8–59 hours, often averaging 24–36 hours. This extended half-life means the drug stays in your system much longer than most other opioids.

Because of this variability, dose changes or missed doses should always be managed by a prescribing clinician. Stopping methadone abruptly can lead to prolonged withdrawal or dangerous complications.

Opioid Detection Time Comparison Table

The following table summarizes approximate detection windows for six common opioids across different test types. These values represent typical ranges for adults after recent use; longer-term or heavy use may push detection toward the upper end or beyond these estimates.

Opioid	Urine	Blood	Saliva	Hair
Heroin	1–3 days	Up to 12 hours (as metabolites)	1–2 days	Up to 90 days
Oxycodone	1–4 days	Up to 24 hours	1–2 days	Up to 90 days
Hydrocodone	1–3 days	Up to 24 hours	1–2 days	Up to 90 days
Morphine	2–3 days	Up to 12 hours	1–2 days	Up to 90 days
Fentanyl	1–3 days (7+ with heavy use)	Up to 48 hours	1–3 days	Up to 90 days
Methadone	3–7 days	24–72 hours	1–4 days	Up to 90 days
Important note: All detection windows are estimates. Medical providers may interpret test results differently based on clinical context, testing methodology, and individual patient factors. False positives can occur—for example, poppy seed consumption may trigger positive opiate screens—and confirmatory testing is often needed.

Factors That Affect How Long Opioids Stay in Your System

Detection times vary considerably between individuals, even when using the same opioid at the same dose. Several factors affect drug elimination rates and how long tests remain positive.

Key variables include:

• Metabolism rate and genetic differences
• Liver and kidney function
• Dosage, frequency, and duration of use
• Body fat and weight
• Age and overall health
• Polysubstance use and other medications, including situations where partners might benefit from couples rehab in Los Angeles

Because of these differences, no online calculator can perfectly predict an individual’s drug test result or withdrawal timeline.

Metabolism and Genetic Differences

People with rapid metabolism tend to clear opioids more quickly, while those with slower metabolism retain drugs longer. This affects both how long effects are felt and detection windows.

Genetic variation in liver enzymes plays a significant role:

• CYP2D6 variations: Affect metabolism of codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and tramadol
• CYP3A4 variations: Influence fentanyl, methadone, and oxycodone metabolism
• “Poor metabolizers”: May retain opioids significantly longer
• “Ultra-rapid metabolizers”: Clear drugs faster but may experience reduced pain relief

Certain medications can inhibit or induce these enzymes, affecting opioid metabolism and test results. Examples include:

• Some antidepressants (SSRIs like paroxetine, fluoxetine)
• Antifungal medications (ketoconazole)
• HIV medications (ritonavir)
• Some antibiotics

Healthcare providers should be informed about all medications, supplements, and other substances being used, especially before starting or stopping opioid therapy.

Liver and Kidney Function

The liver serves as the primary organ for breaking down opioids, while kidneys filter out metabolites for excretion in urine.

Liver health impacts:

• Hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease slow opioid metabolism
• Liver failure can extend half-lives by 2–3 times normal
• Alcohol abuse compounds liver stress and affects drug elimination
• Liver enzymes tested through blood work help clinicians assess processing capacity

Kidney function impacts:

• Kidney disease reduces metabolite clearance
• Dehydration concentrates urine and may affect test readings
• Chronic kidney problems increase overdose risk due to drug accumulation

People with underlying liver or kidney problems should only use opioids under close medical supervision and typically require dose adjustments.

Dosage, Frequency, and Duration of Use

Higher doses and more frequent use cause opioids and metabolites to accumulate, leading to longer detection times.

Consider the contrast between:

• Acute use: 2–3 days of low-dose hydrocodone after dental surgery may clear within 3–4 days
• Chronic use: Years of daily high-dose opioid therapy saturates tissues and extends detection significantly

Long-term use can saturate fat and tissue stores, particularly with lipophilic drugs like fentanyl and methadone. Tests may remain positive for a week or more after the last dose in chronic users.

Regular heavy drug use also typically produces more severe withdrawal symptoms when opioids are reduced or stopped, creating additional barriers to safe cessation without medical supervision.

Body Fat, Age, and Overall Health

Several factors affect how the body stores and releases opioids:

Body composition:

• Fentanyl and methadone are highly lipophilic (fat-soluble)
• Higher body fat percentage allows greater drug storage
• Weight loss may release stored opioids back into circulation
• Body fat distribution changes detection timelines

Age-related factors:

• Older adults generally have slower metabolism
• Reduced organ reserve affects drug elimination
• Older individuals often show greater sensitivity to opioid side effects like respiratory depression and severe drowsiness
• Higher doses in elderly patients may produce longer detection windows

Overall health:

• Poor nutrition affects liver function
• Dehydration concentrates blood and urine
• Chronic medical conditions may slow drug clearance
• Blood pressure medications and other drugs can interact with opioids

Anyone with chronic health issues should seek a full medical evaluation before attempting to stop opioids independently.

Polysubstance Use and Other Medications

Using other drugs alongside opioids complicates both detection and safety considerations.

Key points about polysubstance use:

• Combining opioids with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or sedative-hypnotics dramatically increases overdose risk
• Stimulant drugs like cocaine or prescription stimulants may mask opioid sedation but don’t reduce danger
• Certain medications accelerate or slow opioid metabolism through enzyme interactions
• Some over-the-counter medications and herbal products also affect drug processing

According to CDC data, combining opioids with other central nervous system depressants is a major factor in fatal overdoses. The Mental Health Services Administration and Substance Abuse treatment guidelines emphasize screening for polysubstance use in all opioid treatment protocols.

Honest communication with healthcare providers and addiction professionals about all substances being used—including over-the-counter products, supplements, and alcohol—supports safer treatment planning, and some people may even benefit from pet friendly rehab in Los Angeles to reduce stress during recovery.

Opioid Withdrawal Timeline and Symptoms

Understanding how long opioids stay in your system also helps predict when withdrawal begins, how long it lasts, and how severe symptoms may become. The timeline varies based on whether short-acting or long-acting opioids were used.

General withdrawal phases:

Phase	Short-Acting Opioids	Long-Acting Opioids
Onset	6–12 hours after last dose	24–48 hours after last dose
Peak	Days 2–3	Days 3–5 (sometimes later)
Duration	5–7 days for acute symptoms	1–2 weeks or longer
While opioid withdrawal is usually not life-threatening in otherwise healthy adults, it can be extremely uncomfortable and medically risky for people with other conditions—or when combined with other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines.

Withdrawal from Short-Acting Opioids (Heroin, Oxycodone IR, Hydrocodone, Morphine)

Onset: Usually 6–12 hours after the last dose for heroin; up to approximately 24 hours for some oral medications.

Early symptoms (hours 6–24):

• Anxiety and restlessness
• Muscle aches
• Insomnia
• Runny nose and watering eyes
• Sweating
• Yawning

Peak symptoms (days 2–3):

• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea and nausea
• Vomiting
• Goosebumps and chills
• Rapid heartbeat
• Elevated blood pressure
• Intense cravings

Resolution: Most acute physical symptoms improve within 5–7 days, though sleep problems, mood changes, and psychological dependence can persist for weeks or months (sometimes called post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS).

People with long-term heavy use typically experience more prolonged and intense withdrawal than those with brief, lower-dose exposure.

Withdrawal from Long-Acting Opioids (Methadone, Fentanyl, Extended-Release Oxycodone)

Onset: Often delayed, starting 24–48 hours after the last dose for extended-release medications. Methadone withdrawal may begin 24–36 hours or later due to its long half-life.

Peak symptoms: Can occur around days 3–5 for most long-acting opioids; methadone peak may be somewhat later.

Duration: Acute symptoms may last 1–2 weeks or more. In methadone users, some withdrawal symptoms may linger for several weeks.

Attempting to stop long-acting opioids “cold turkey” without medical supervision carries significant risks. Supervised tapering or medically managed detox programs offer safer alternatives for people discontinuing these medications.

When Withdrawal Becomes a Medical Concern

Certain situations require immediate medical attention:

• Uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea causing severe dehydration
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Confusion or altered mental status
• High fever
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Seizures (especially with concurrent benzodiazepine or alcohol withdrawal)

Co-existing conditions that make medical supervision especially important include:

• Heart disease or respiratory conditions
• Pregnancy (opioid withdrawal can affect fetal health)
• Severe mental health disorders
• Prior complicated withdrawals
• Current opioid misuse combined with alcohol abuse or benzodiazepine use

For suspected overdose or severe medical complications, call 911 immediately. SAMHSA’s national helpline (1-800-662-HELP) provides confidential information and referrals 24/7.

When to Seek Detox Support for Opioid Use

Detox involves more than simply waiting for opioids to leave your system. It’s a medically supervised process designed to maximize safety and comfort while withdrawal runs its course—and to establish a foundation for ongoing recovery.

Situations where professional detox or inpatient rehab in Los Angeles is strongly recommended:

• Long-term daily opioid use (months or years)
• High doses or use of potent opioids like fentanyl
• Methadone or buprenorphine maintenance therapy requiring dose changes
• Polysubstance use involving alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other drugs that may require specialized alcohol detox in Los Angeles
• Significant medical conditions (heart disease, liver diseases, respiratory issues)
• Psychiatric conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD)
• Prior complicated or dangerous withdrawal experiences
• Previous opioid overdose events

In a private medical detox setting in Los Angeles, clinicians may use evidence-based medications to ease withdrawal and reduce cravings for those struggling with opioid addiction. Per SAMHSA guidelines, these may include:

• Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex): Reduces cravings and withdrawal severity
• Methadone: For supervised tapering in appropriate cases
• Clonidine: Helps manage symptoms like anxiety, sweating, and elevated blood pressure
• Supportive medications: For sleep, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle aches

A comfortable, discreet detox environment at a luxury rehabilitation center in Los Angeles typically includes:

• 24/7 nursing care and physician oversight
• Individual symptom management protocols
• Quiet, secure setting away from triggers
• Support for sleep, nutrition, and hydration
• Planning for ongoing treatment after acute detox

If you or a loved one in Los Angeles is struggling to stop opioids, medically supervised detox can significantly lower risks and discomfort. Our team can verify PPO insurance benefits confidentially and help you understand your options for opioid detox and ongoing care.

Beyond Detox: Treatment Options After Opioids Leave Your System

Once opioids are eliminated from your system, the underlying substance use disorder often remains. Research consistently shows that continuing care significantly improves long-term recovery outcomes.

Main treatment options include:

Treatment Type	Description
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)	Ongoing buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone to reduce cravings and prevent relapse
Inpatient/Residential Rehab	Structured 24/7 care with therapy, medical support, and life skills development
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)	Regular therapy sessions while living at home
Individual Therapy	One-on-one counseling for underlying issues and coping strategies
Support Groups	Peer support through 12-step programs or alternatives like SMART Recovery
In Los Angeles, individuals may choose luxury rehab settings that combine medical care, psychotherapy, and wellness-focused amenities for added comfort and privacy. Options range from drug detox in Los Angeles through comprehensive residential programs to long-term outpatient support.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse emphasizes that recovery is highly individualized. Treatment plans should be tailored by experienced healthcare and addiction professionals based on the person’s specific history, needs, and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Long Opioids Stay in Your System

Conclusion: Putting Opioid Detection Times in Perspective

How long opioids stay in your system depends on multiple interconnected factors: the specific drug used, its half-life, the test type administered, individual metabolism, liver and kidney function, and patterns of use. While this guide provides general estimates, individual results vary considerably.

Understanding opioid drug test detection time can support safer decision-making—whether preparing for employment screening, managing a medical taper, or considering treatment options. However, this information should not be used to justify continued risky use or attempts to manipulate test results.

For people who find it difficult to stop using opioids, or who are anxious about withdrawal symptoms, professional medical supervision offers a significantly safer path than attempting detox alone. The risks of unsupervised withdrawal and the danger of opioid overdose upon relapse make expert guidance valuable.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area and concerned about opioids in your system, medically supervised detox and compassionate follow-up care are available. Our team can discuss treatment options and verify PPO insurance benefits confidentially so you can focus on healing.

---

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Detection windows are approximate estimates based on typical adult physiology and may not apply to your specific situation. Individual factors significantly affect how long opioids remain detectable. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider or addiction specialist for guidance tailored to your circumstances.