According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2023, there were 8.9 million people, or 3.1%, who misused opioids last year, similar to 2022 and 2021, which is 3.2% and 8.9 million, 3.4%, and 9.4 million.
Another long-term goal of any treatment centre is to raise awareness and provide education about substance use disorders, how they can affect you in different aspects of your life, and what you can do about it.
In this blog, we will talk about how long opioids stay in our system.
What Are Opiates?
Opiates are a kind of drug that acts as a central nervous system depressant. It is made from opium, which is naturally produced from the poppy plant. These types of drugs bind to the opioid receptors in the brain and body, which then provides pain relief.
Is There a Difference Between Opioid and Opiate?
There is a key difference between opioids and opiates. When we talk about opiates, they are created from natural compounds inside the opium poppy plant. In contrast, opioids are created inside labs following a similar chemical structure. There are at least more than 500 kinds of lab-made opioids.
Types Of Opioids
Opioids have three main classifications, and these are:
- Natural opioids- made from the opium poppy plant
- Synthetic opioids- created and developed through chemical processing in the lab
- Semi-synthetic opioids- created from the opium poppy plant that has been chemically changed.
Types Of Opiates
There are a few types of opiates, such as:
- Codeine-one of the most common opiates
- Morphine-one of the most common opiates
- Opium- Schedule II narcotic
- Thebaine- not used as a pain medication alone; used in producing synthetic opioid pain medication; listed as a Schedule II narcotic
What Is the Half-Life of Opioids?
The half-life of opioids is determined by the type of opioid being administered. Some opioids have shorter half-lives, while some opioids carry longer half-lives. For example, methadone carries a half-life of 12 to 18 hours with a mean of 15 hours. This means in that period, half of the drug has been eliminated from your system. On the other hand, the opioid that carries the shortest half-life is Remifentanil, which carries a half-life of 9 minutes. Other opioids, such as morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone, have an average half-life of 3 hours.
How Long Do Opioids Stay in the System?
There are several ways to determine how long opioids are capable of staying in our systems. This can be determined through:
Urine
Urine tests can detect the presence of opioids in the system for 2 to 4 days after the last use,
Blood
Opioids can be detected in the blood for the shortest amount of time among the rest. They are only detectable in a blood sample for only 24 hours or 1 day after the last drug use.
Saliva
Saliva drug tests are known to be less invasive compared to urine tests, but they hold a shorter detection period. Opioids are detectable in the saliva up to 48 hours or 2 days after the last use.
Hair
Hair drug tests hold the longest detection window among all the tests. Hair tests can detect the presence of opioids and several other drugs in the system for 90 days or 3 months.
Breastmilk
Several opioids travel in small amounts into the nursing parent’s breastmilk in small amounts. Examples of those opioids and how long they can be detected in the system are:
- Tramadol- more than 10 hours
- Oxycodone-up to 37 hours
- Morphine- up to 15 hours
- Codeine-up to 12.5 hours
- Dilaudid- up to 52.5 hours
- Methadone-up to 50 hours
Perspiration
Opioids are detected through perspiration through sweat patches. Opioids can be detected in perspiration for up to 7 to 14 days.
How is Opioid Use Detected?
Opioid use is detected in various ways. Each testing method has a different level of sensitivity, detection window, and the specific opioids it can detect.
What Drug Test is Used?
The most common tests to detect opioids are blood tests, urine tests, saliva tests, and hair follicle drug tests.
When is a Drug Test a Legal Requirement?
The legal requirement of a drug test can vary in context. Here are some common examples of when a drug test is a legal requirement for something:
- Employment and workplace testing- if you are applying for a job or under the laws of wherever you live, your employer can require you to take a drug test every couple of months or so.
- Applying for government assistance- some countries have passed laws that require citizens to take drug tests as a requirement for government assistance.
- Court-ordered testing-drug testing may be required in a legal or criminal proceeding.
- Health and safety regulations- matters that concern public safety, healthcare, or transportation.
- Military and law enforcement- most countries have drug tests as requirements before entering the military or law enforcement.
- Sports and athletic drug testing- in competitive professional sports, drug testing is a requirement.
- Driving under the influence- drivers suspected of being under the influence need to pass a drug test to avoid being arrested.
The Risks of Positive Test Screening
A positive test screening for opioids may have several significant risks depending on the different circumstances in which the test has been done. Different laws also exist depending on the country that you are residing in, so it is best to check local laws. But generally, here are some of the risks you can encounter with a positive test screening:
- A lot of employers want to ensure a drug-free workplace. A positive test screening may result in termination or suspension. You also may become blacklisted or be ineligible for rehiring and lose your employment benefits.
- A positive test screening could lead to criminal charges based on the circumstances. Some of the instances are in DUIs or driving under the influence charges, parole violations, and legal proceedings such as custody battles or family law cases.
- A positive drug test may limit your access to certain medical treatments or surgeries.
- Positive drug tests could result in you being suspended or even kicked out of your school or university. This could also mean the loss of financial aid.
- Positive test screenings may also cause people to lose trust in you, whether it is your family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, or employers.
- Testing positive for drugs also poses financial risks such as fines for legal violations, legal fees, and loss of income.
- Testing positive for drugs may also prove a relapse or be a basis for authorities to require you to enter a rehabilitation programme.
- A positive test may also cause suspension for professional athletes and loss of sponsorships and endorsements.
Is There a Faster Way to Eliminate Opioids from the Body?
There is no guaranteed way to eliminate opioids from the body faster than the natural route. However, there are things you can do to help support the natural detoxification process of the body.
Drink enough water and electrolytes to help flush the toxins from your kidney and help replace minerals that were lost because of more frequent urination. It is also important to exercise to boost the metabolism and blood circulation. Burning fat also helps release metabolites, but the process takes time.
Eating healthy foods that are rich in antioxidants will also help the detoxification process. You can also avoid alcohol and caffeine because this delays the body’s ability to clear toxins.
Factors That Influence How Long Opioids Stay in Your System
There are a couple of factors that can influence how long opioids stay in our systems, and these are:
- Type of opioid
- Frequency of Usage
- Metabolism
- Hydration and Nutrition
- Liver and Kidney Health
How Are Opioids Metabolised?
Opioids are a class of drugs that are generally metabolised in the liver by enzymes. The process then continues until the opioids are modified enough so that they can be eliminated from the body through the urine. The only difference between the metabolism of natural and synthetic opioids is the specific enzymes and metabolic pathways they go through.
Natural Opioids
Natural Opioids focus on glucuronidation for the metabolism process.
Synthetic Opioids
Synthetic opioids normally use CYP450 enzymes.
The Risks of Using Opioids
Just like any drug, opioids can affect the body in certain ways. Opioids work in a very specific manner and are processed in important vital organs. Whether it is prescription opioids or illicitly consumed, the risks of using opioids include:
Developing Opioid Use Disorder
Opioids are known to be highly addictive because they have the capability to trigger powerful reward centres in the brain. The use of opioids triggers the release of endorphins.
Endorphins reduce the possibility of pain and increase the levels of pleasure in the body. This leaves a euphoric feeling, but it only lasts for a short period. Once the feeling wears off, you may experience cravings to feel the same feeling again as soon as possible. This is how opioid use disorder begins to develop.
Overdose
Opioid overdose occurs mainly because of respiratory depression from excessive opioid use. As a result, this causes difficulty in the body’s ability to breathe, which leads to lower oxygen levels and eventually unconsciousness, organ damage, and possible death if not treated.
Legal Complications
The legal complications of opioid use can vary depending on various instances, whether they are prescribed, illegally obtained, or in instances such as overdose.
Some people go to a certain extent where they would do illegal things to obtain a prescription to secure a stash by using someone else’s prescription. Acquiring the drug without a prescription is also prohibited. On the other hand, doctors who fail to follow the proper protocol when prescribing opioids can also be held accountable. As well as, if someone was found overdosing on a prescription opioid, it could cause legal trouble for both the patient and the doctor who prescribed it.
Illegal possession, distribution, trafficking, or even manufacturing of illegal opioids such as heroin are also grounds for legal complications. People can also get terminated from their jobs, charged with DUIs, or driving under the influence.
When To Seek Opioid Addiction Treatment
The amount of time it takes to realise that it is time to seek treatment for opioid addiction may be different for everyone. Some people learn different ways to mask the symptoms of their addiction, which makes it harder for the people around them to identify certain symptoms.
Recognising the need for treatment is important in managing the physical, emotional, and social impacts of opioid addiction. The need for treatment should be considered once it is proven that people start to take opioids for reasons other than why it was prescribed to them. When it starts interfering with day-to-day life, it is important not to ignore or underestimate these symptoms and seek the advice of a professional right away.
Where To Find Help for Opioid Addiction
Finding help for opioid addiction may be overwhelming, especially if it is your first time undergoing treatment for opioid addiction. It is important to not panic, slowly build up the knowledge you have about the condition, and go directly to a licensed professional to get the proper guidance. You can start with a GP in your area and get referrals later on after your case has been evaluated for you to evaluate what kind of treatment setting and the programme will fit the best for you.
You can also ask for a list from your GP or insurance provider to narrow down the search. There are also online directories and social media to discover treatment centres around you or another city or country. It is important to be clear about your wants and needs to ensure a smooth recovery journey.
Join us in our mission of helping people heal from addiction. Contact Sierra Recovery today.
