How Long Do Opioids Stay in Your System?

What Are Opioids?

Doctors prescribe powerful opioid painkillers like Hydrocodone and Oxycontin, which are meant to reduce post-surgical pain and ease discomfort from chronic medical conditions. Still, these substances can be extremely addictive, even when taken as prescribed. The use of opioids is a double-edged sword, these powerful drugs can hurt and heal.

The misuse of powerful opioids has created a true public health crisis; one the world is still grappling with. Knowing how long opioids stay in your system remains an important part of understanding this vexing problem, along with relying on the most effective forms of detox and rehab treatment.

Factors That Influence How Long Opioids Stay in Your System

How long opioids stay in your system will depend on a number of different factors, and each one will influence the length of time these substances are detectable in your body. If you or someone you love has been struggling with opioid addiction, it is important to understand these nuances to know what you are dealing with and the challenges that lie ahead.

Size and weight will play a role in how long opioids stay in your system. Larger and heavier people may show lower levels of opioids in their system than smaller and lighter folks, even if the actual dosage taken was the same. When prescribing powerful painkillers for pain management, doctors will take these factors into account, and they may alter the recommended dosage based on the needs of the individual patient.

The type of opioid ingested will also play a role in how long opioids stay in your system. Street drugs like heroin will have a different clearance rate than prescription drugs like Oxycontin, which can influence drug tests and medical procedures. Some prescription opioids are designed to be time-released, and that can alter clearance rates as well.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

How Long Heroin Stays in Your System

Heroin is one of the most dangerous opioids, especially when the drug is cut or adulterated with other substances. How long it takes this opioid to leave your system will depend on several factors, but heroin typically remains detectable for up to seven days after last use. Factors such as individual metabolism, age and percent body fat will influence this figure, but seven days is a good measurement.

How Long Hydrocodone Stays in Your System

Hydrocodone is one of the most powerful and potentially addictive prescription opioids. It is also one of the fastest acting, leaving your system in just a few hours. Even so, the drug will remain detectable in hair follicle tests for up to 90 days, long after all traces of the medication have left the bloodstream.

How Long Oxycodone Stays in Your System

Oxycodone is another frequently prescribed pain medication, and it also carries the potential for abuse. This substance remains detectable in the bloodstream for up to three days. Still, like other abusable substances, it can often be detected through hair follicle analysis for as long as 90 days.

How Long Fentanyl Stays in Your System

Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous of all opioids, but it does have legitimate medical uses. This powerful painkiller is often used in surgical settings, giving patients the relief they need following invasive surgery. Whether administered in a hospital or taken on the street, Fentanyl typically lasts for 11 to 22 hours. Factors like weight, metabolism and percent body fat can influence these timeframes.

Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Whether the opioids in your system stick around for a few hours, a few days or much longer, the misuse of these powerful drugs can destroy your body and sap your spirit. If you are struggling with opioid addiction, whether it is street drugs like heroin or prescription medications like Hydrocodone and Oxycodone, you need to seek help, and you need to do it right away.

There is no time to waste when you are struggling with addiction, and opioids can be especially dangerous when misused. Getting off of opioids is not a do-it-yourself proposition since quitting cold turkey can be dangerous, counterproductive, and even deadly.

That is why we urge you to reach out to us at WhiteSands for the professional help and guidance you need. Detoxifying your body in a medically supervised setting is better for your body, with enhanced safety measures in place to ensure your comfort and well-being. If you know you need help, WhiteSands has the professional services to guide your recovery journey, so contact us about your treatment options today.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.