Drug Detection Timeframe – how long will I be positive?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions in drug testing.
Drug detection time frames are dependent upon individual metabolism, hydration, administration route, strength and quantity of drug consumed (in addition to cut-off level applied in the test).
Detection time frames (approximate) as follows (note that these can vary considerably and are provided as a rough approximation only);
| SUBSTANCE | ADMINISTRATION ROUTE | EXAMPLES OF PROPRIETARY OR STREET NAMES | MEDICAL USES | APPROX DETECTION IN URINE | APPROX DETECTION INSALIVA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Oral | Beer, Wine, Spirits | Antidote for methanol poisoning | 6-10 hours | 12 hours |
| Amphetamine | Injected, oral, smoked, sniffed | Dexamphetamine, Black Beauties, Crosses, Hearts | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, narcolepsy | 1-3 days | 12 hours |
| Cocaine | Injected, smoked, sniffed | Coke, Crack, Flake, Rocks, Snow | Local anaesthetic, vasoconstrictor limited medical use in Australia | 0.5-3 days | 2-5 days |
| Methylamphetamine\ MDMA | Injected, oral, smoked, sniffed | Crank, Crystal, Glass, Ice, Ecstasy | None in Australia | 1-3 days | 1-3 days |
| THC; Marijuana (Casual Use) | Oral Smoked | Grass, Herb, Hash, Hash Oil, Pot, Reefer, Smoke, Weed | Doctor’s prescription | 1-2 days | up to 24 hrs |
| THC; Marijuana (Moderate Use) | Oral Smoked | Grass, Herb, Hash, Hash Oil, Pot, Reefer, Smoke, Weed | Doctor’s prescription | up to 10 days | up to 24 hrs |
| THC; Marijuana (Chronic Use) | Oral Smoked | Grass, Herb, Hash, Hash Oil, Pot, Reefer, Smoke, Weed | Doctor’s prescription | 10-42 days | up to 24 hrs |
| Opiate; Codeine | Injected, oral | Aspalgin, Codiphen, Codis, Dymadon, Panamax Co, Mersyndol, Panadeine, Panalgesic | Analgesic, pain relief | 1-2 days | 2-3 days |
| Opiate; Heroin | Injected, oral, smoked | Diacetylmorphine, Horse, Smack | None | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Opiate; Morphine | Injected, oral, smoked | Anamorph, Kapanol, Morphalgin, MS Contin, Sevredol | Chronic Pain | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Benzodiazepines | Injected, oral | Diazepam (Valium), Oxazepam (Serepax), Temazepam (Normison), Alprazolam (Xanax), Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, Roofies), Clonazepam (Rivotril), Nitrazepam (Mogadon) | Anxiolytics, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative | 1-12 days | 16-48 hours |