Drug Detection Periods

by | Feb 5, 2020 | Drug Testing News and Articles

Blood Tests

  • Are considered the most intrusive method of testing.
  • Are the most expensive method of testing.
  • Are the most accurate method of testing.
  • Are the least common method of testing (most likely due to cost).

Detection Periods

  • Drug Approximate Detection Time in Urine:
  • Alcohol 1-2 days
  • Amphetamines (crystal, Ice, crank, methamphetamine) 5-7 days Barbiturates Short-Acting (ie. secobarbital) 1-2 days
  • Barbiturates Long-Acting (ie. phenobarbital) 2-3 weeks
  • Benzodiazepines (Librium®,Valium®,Serax,Xanax®) 2-30 days Cannabinoids (THC,Marijuana) 20-90 days
  • Clenbuterol 2-4 days Cocaine (Crack) 3-5 days
  • Codeine 2-5 days Euphorics (MDMA, Ecstasy)
  • 3-7 days LSD 1-4 days
  • Methadone 3-5 days Methaqualone (Quaalude) l-14 days
  • Opiates (heroin, Vicodin, morphine, codeine) 2-7 days
  • Phencyclidine (PCP, Angel Dust) 1-30 days
  • Phenobarbital 10-20 days
  • Propoxyphene (Darvon) 1-3 days
  • Psilocybin (mushrooms) 3-5
  • Steroids (anabolic) oral 14 days

The amount of time any drug can be detected in one’s system can vary from person to person and test to test. It certainly can also depend on the amount of the drug taken and when it was taken relative to the time of the test. Keeping in mind that there is no 100% hard and fast rule for how long a drug will be in one’s system, listed above are some general guidelines on the drug test detection time for various drugs.

Detection Time is the number of days after intake of a drug that an individual would be expected to excrete detectable levels of drug metabolite in urine. These are average times only ­ for each drug, detection may be possible (but less likely) for significantly longer than listed. Detection may be influenced by a variety of factors including dosage, frequency of use, liquid consumption, and individual metabolic characteristics.

Note: Detection times will vary depending on analytical method used, drug metabolism, tolerance, patient’s condition, fluid intake and method and frequency of ingestion. These are general guidelines only, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.