How long does the drug stay in our body?
How long does the drug stay in our body?
Introduction
Have you ever wondered how long a drug remains detectable in the body? Whether for professional screening, a roadside check or simply out of curiosity, it is essential to understand the detection times according to the type of test used: urine, blood, saliva and hair.
This guide presents the average detection times for the main drugs and the factors that influence their elimination.
Drug detection time by test type
1. Detection in urine
Urine is the most commonly used test because it is simple, fast and effective. Here are the average detection times:
- Cannabis (THC): 1 to 3 days (single use), 10 to 30 days (chronic use)
- Cocaine, crack: 2 to 4 days
- Amphetamines, methamphetamines: 1 to 3 days
- MDMA (ecstasy): 2 to 4 days
- Heroin, morphine, opiates: 1 to 3 days
- Oxycodone, tramadol: 2 to 4 days
- Fentanyl, nitazenes: 1 to 3 days
- Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Rohypnol): 3 days to several weeks (depending on the half-life of the product)
- GHB: 12 to 24 hours
- Ketamine: 3 to 4 days
- LSD: 1 to 3 days
2. Detection in blood
Blood tests detect drugs over a shorter period of time but provide an accurate measure of recent use:
- Cannabis: 1 to 3 days
- Cocaine, crack: 12 to 48 hours
- Amphetamines, methamphetamines: 24 hours
- MDMA (ecstasy): 12 to 24 hours
- Heroin, morphine, opiates: 6 to 24 hours
- Fentanyl, nitazenes: 6 to 12 hours
- Benzodiazepines: 12 hours to 3 days
- GHB: 6 to 12 hours
- LSD: 3 to 12 hours
- Ketamine: 24 hours
3. Detection in saliva
Saliva tests are often used for roadside checks because they detect recent consumption:
- Cannabis: 6 to 24 hours
- Cocaine, crack: 24 hours
- Amphetamines, methamphetamines: 1 to 2 days
- MDMA (ecstasy): 1 to 2 days
- Heroin, morphine, opiates: 1 to 2 days
- Fentanyl, nitazenes: 12 to 24 hours
- Benzodiazepines: 1 to 3 days
- GHB: 6 hours
- LSD: 1 to 2 days
- Ketamine: 1 to 2 days
4. Detection in hair
Hair tests can detect past consumption because the substances are incorporated into the hair structure:
- All drugs: Up to 90 days (or more depending on hair length)
Factors influencing detection time
The detection time of a drug depends on several elements:
- Frequency and quantity of consumption : Occasional use results in faster elimination than regular use.
- Individual metabolism : Depends on liver enzyme activity and body composition.
- Method of consumption : Injection and inhalation have faster effects than ingestion.
- Drug Type : Some drugs persist longer than others (eg THC stored in fat vs. cocaine eliminated quickly).
Conclusion
The duration of drug detection varies depending on the substance, the test used and the physiological characteristics of each individual. Urine tests are the most widespread due to their accessibility, while blood tests measure immediate consumption and hair tests allow a history to be established over several months.
Understanding these durations helps to avoid preconceived ideas and to better understand the implications of consumption in the event of screening.
