Heroin is an illegal drug derived from the opium poppy. This drug is a highly addictive substance that causes mental illnesses and often results in addiction. In 2020, approximately 13,165 people in the United States died from an overdose involving heroin. If you are looking for a job or have an upcoming drug test, you may wonder how long heroin stays in your system.
The length of time heroin stays in your system depends on many factors, including the amount of heroin used and how often you use it. Metabolism and the pH of your urine are the factors through which you determine how much heroin stays in your system. Because heroin breaks down quickly into its metabolites, it will take anywhere from one to four days for it to leave your body. Fortunately, multiple methods are available for detecting the drug many days after ingestion.
The amount of heroin also depends on your weight and height. The quality of heroin can also affect the length of time it stays in your body. Heavy users can keep the drug in their systems longer because it is stored in fatty tissues. These tissues take longer to flush out than other substances.
Heroin addict individuals start ignoring their responsibilities and even basic needs, like eating. This neglect of responsibility can lead to legal, financial, and personal problems. The drug’s addictive nature may cause the user to panic and experience other unpleasant feelings when the drug is temporarily unavailable. If you or your loved one are facing such effects, you must seek medical supervision. There are many heroin detox centers available, but Haven Detox is one of the best in South Florida to treat individuals fighting substance abuse disorder.
Drug Tests to Detect Heroin
Drug testing determines whether you have been using or misusing one or more drugs. In most cases, heroin stays in the system for up to 48 hours, but doctors can detect it in your saliva, blood, and urine. The length of time that heroin remains in your body depends on how much heroin you use, your body weight, and the health of your liver.
Drug tests are an essential tool in the workplace. Many employers use them to eliminate the chance of hiring people with substance abuse problems. The testing process not only helps them prevent hiring substance abusers but also allows them to monitor current employees. Drug tests also enable employers to rehabilitate current employees who may be struggling with substance abuse.
Hair Test
A hair test as a type of drug test for heroin is a simple yet effective way to detect heroin in the body. The test can detect heroin in a person’s blood, urine, or saliva. The presence of heroin in these fluids significantly affects the user’s health and safety. Additionally, this type of test is essential for drug rehabilitation programs. Heroin addiction has several adverse effects, including decreased productivity, increased risk of theft, higher health insurance costs, and short-term disability claims.
Hair drug tests are not always accurate, however. The detection window is limited; they can only identify drug use up to seven days after the initial exposure. Therefore, hair drug testing is not a suitable option for workplace accidents. Medical review officers, who assess drug tests, can help you understand the results of your test.
Saliva Test
The FDA approved saliva tests for the detection of heroin in the body. However, the test is invasive, only detecting heroin five to six hours after the person consumes the drug. This means that it is not always an excellent way to catch an addicted person in the act of using heroin. Furthermore, heroin is very fast-acting and leaves the body very quickly. It may stay in the system for as long as two days before it becomes undetectable.
Saliva tests are generally used to identify recent drug use. The detection period of a swab drug test is five to 48 hours, while a urine test lasts 1.5 to four days. Saliva drug tests are also sensitive to drugs like methamphetamine and ecstasy, which can be detected in the saliva as early as an hour after consumption. However, the detection window for a saliva test depends on the type of drug.
Blood Test
If you are concerned about the use of heroin in your workplace, you can obtain a blood test to detect heroin. This test measures 6-acetyl morphine (or 6-AM), which is metabolized into morphine and codeine. While most standard drug tests look for opiates such as codeine and morphine, 6-AM is specific to heroin use. This test has a detection period of up to two hours after the person uses heroin.
While this test may not be the most effective method of detecting heroin, the active metabolites of heroin can still be detected in blood up to six hours after use. Depending on the amount of heroin ingested, frequency of use, and other personal factors, this time frame can vary from person to person. For example, if the person has a history of substance abuse, there is a higher likelihood of the drug being detected in the blood for longer.
Urine Test-
Although heroin is difficult to detect in a urine test, some traces can be detected. Generally, the presence of 300 nanograms of the drug in a sample will be a positive result. If the amount is less than this, the test will be negative. Higher drug levels may take up to five days to appear in a urine test.
A urine test can detect heroin and other opiates in the body. It is a qualitative test that will either give a positive or negative result. The test is not always accurate but can also give false adverse effects.
In such situations, you may need help from a treatment center.
Side Effects of Heroin Addiction
The effect of heroin on the brain begins almost immediately. The user will feel euphoric for up to half an hour and can handle the results of the drug for up to five hours. Withdrawal symptoms are similar to the nasty flu. The worst ones usually peak during the second or third day.
Heroin addicts may also experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms, including poor sleep, concentration, depression, and hypersensitivity. Severe symptoms may last up to 18 months but will subside with time.
Depending on the dose and the method of administration, the drug can take up to one hour to completely wear off. However, regular monitoring of your intake is vital to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Some individuals experience mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms, while others experience severe, life-threatening symptoms. Those who are experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms should seek medical attention.
Heroin Detoxification
Once you stop using heroin, your body will begin a detox process. Two main types of heroin detoxification programs are residential and community-based. Inpatient programs involve medical detoxification, and outpatient programs involve counseling, group therapy, and relapse prevention strategies. Community-based programs are more affordable than inpatient programs. They also include behavioral interventions and counseling and encourage family and group therapy. Depending on the addiction severity, heroin detoxification programs may last from three weeks to six months. Haven Detox offers effective inpatient residential treatment to provide 24-hour medical care.
Medications Used During Heroin Detox
Medications used during heroin detox are a vital part of the process. Medications help the patient deal with the physical symptoms associated with the withdrawal process. They reduce cravings for heroin and may be used to shorten the length of the detox process. This medication can reduce the euphoric high of heroin and may help the patient feel less anxious and jittery. Medications may be used with other treatments, including treatment for underlying mental disorders, which are crucial for the individual’s recovery.
Medical detox treatment for heroin addiction usually involves taking opioid replacement medications. Buprenorphine and Naltrexone are two of the most common drugs used for this process. Both of these medications have the same effect on the brain as heroin but do not produce the same physical symptoms.
Methadone is a long-acting opioid that acts on the same neurotransmitters that heroin does. However, it is less potent than heroin and has a lower potential for addiction. Its combination with naloxone reduces withdrawal symptoms and is often used during heroin detox. Methadone also blocks opioid receptors in the brain, allowing users to wean off the drug slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does heroin withdrawal feel like?
The heroin withdrawal symptoms are a mix of physical and emotional distress and can last anywhere from one week to a few months. In the first few days of withdrawal, people often experience the most intense symptoms. They may also experience depression, insomnia, and irritability. Some people may require co-occurring disorder treatment in addition to withdrawal treatment. Withdrawal from heroin is a complex and painful process, and it is essential to seek professional help to get through it.
How do I go through extreme heroin withdrawal?
When you withdraw from heroin, you may experience several symptoms that differ from person to person. The first one is increased craving for the drug. This is normal when you are withdrawing from many addictive substances. The desire is motivated by the need to lessen withdrawal symptoms and relieve the high you got while using the drug.
Other symptoms of heroin withdrawal include anxiety, fever, and joint and muscle pain. You may also experience diarrhea or vomiting. While it’s hard to deal with these symptoms alone, there are medical treatments available that can help you cope and remain comfortable during this challenging period.
How long does Heroin withdrawal last?
Withdrawal symptoms from heroin begin between six and 24 hours after use. These symptoms can be severe, but they will subside within a week. Although they are not life-threatening conditions, the withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and even lead to suicidal thoughts and attempts. If you’re serious about quitting heroin, medical detox is an excellent option to avoid these unpleasant symptoms.
Is there any way to get off heroin without suffering withdrawal?
To avoid the most painful aspects of withdrawal, a person should seek help from a professional. A medical detox facility can provide medications that can reduce the discomfort and agitation associated with withdrawal. It can also offer you support during the process and provide you with a safe space to talk about your feelings and thoughts. Another critical step is to ensure that you stay hydrated. Withdrawal is often accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, so you must drink plenty of water.
Overcome Heroin Addiction With Help From the Haven Detox
Treatment specialists at Haven Detox have experience treating people suffering from heroin addiction. We are located in West Palm Beach to provide you the long-term recovery from addiction problems.
During our medical detox, the client is monitored closely by medical staff. Our supervised medical staff will support the withdrawal process and develop ongoing treatment plans for co-occurring disorders. A team of doctors at Haven Detox dealing also helps the patient cope with the psychological aspects of the withdrawal process when dealing with the heroin detox program.
You can take a look at our quality residential treatment plan to treat heroin addiction and prevent relapse. Get more information about our treatment services by calling us at (561) 328-8627.
