Drug detection times are indications of the length of time after an individual last consumed a specific drug. During this period, a drug test or screening can detect and identify the presence of the substance in a person’s collected specimen. This window fluctuates depending mostly on the type of biological sample—but there are other factors involved in determination.
For anyone curious as to the exact nature of detection periods, there is a wide range of variables that influence this general number. Is there a clear explanation? The short answer is no—it all depends. The long answer is that, yes, there is a standard timeframe that labs can reference based on the type of drug test method and the type of drug that could be lingering in a person’s system.
For employers who are drug testing potential or current employees, understanding that the type of test specimen, the drug you are testing for, and the individual undergoing the test are all vital and related variables to consider when appraising drug screening results. Let’s dive deeper into the different drug test detection periods and what they mean for drug test participants.
Variables in the Metabolism of Drugs
As mentioned, detection timetables are the best approximate estimates and don’t always offer consistent time periods. One shouldn’t count on these timeframes one hundred percent because there is room for error and variance. Look closely at these generalized drug detection periods for clarification about certain drugs and the factors that influence results.
To further clarify the variables that affect how an individual’s body processes and metabolizes drugs requires a more complex explanation. Essentially, it’s impossible to predict how long a drug can and will stay in a person’s system due to the differences existing between human beings. The diverse ages, ethnicities, genders, weight, body mass, physical activity, metabolic rates, drug tolerance, hydration levels, and even medical conditions that an individual possesses can impact drug elimination. To put the standard detection time into the most basic description, the higher a person’s metabolism rate is, the shorter the time a drug will be detectable in a body.
Type of Drugs and Amount Taken
Drug tests and screenings typically search for any evidence of illicit drugs and substances in a person’s system, meaning that the specimen donor took specific drugs recently or not too long ago. The most common drugs that show up in a screening include marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, and methamphetamines.
Again, since the different drug test detection periods vary by drug testing method, there isn’t an umbrella answer to how long a drug stays in a person’s bloodstream. Yet, with that knowledge, specific drug test methods will be more effective based on the goal of a test—not taking into account the price or practically of the test. Urine specimen testing is the method most businesses utilize for pre-employment screenings, but their substance detection window is only about a week. Saliva or mouth swabbing is a great second option for reliability but will only detect very recent use. Hair testing is another alternative that can indicate the presence of a drug for 90 days.
There also exists a cut-off level, so even if a drug is present in a system, if the volume is below a standard detection level, the drug test result will be negative. The amount and frequency of drug use factors into detection periods as well—drugs will stay in a heavier user’s body longer compared to casual users because of the higher deposits in their system.
Saliva & Mouth Swab Drug Tests
Oral drug testing has numerous benefits, but it also has the limitation of a shorter detection period timeframe. Due to the ease of testing, with no need for privacy, mouth swabs are becoming increasingly popular. Amphetamines, cocaine, methamphetamine, PCP, and opiates are all detectable in saliva. Their detection period window is from one to three days after consumption, while marijuana (THC) is only detectable up to 14 hours afterward.
Blood Drug Tests
Blood tests are efficient at detecting the presence of many substances, but they are not generally able to differentiate between recent and past use. These drug tests also have a shorter detection period, typically a few days after use. The exact quantity of a drug in the bloodstream varies depending on physical factors. The standard illicit drugs of THC, cocaine, PCP, methamphetamines, and amphetamines are detectable for a period between a couple of hours and a few days after last use.
Hair Follicle Drug Tests
Hair testing instills a fear factor into its potential participants. These tests typically have the longest detection period windows and are a cheat-proof testing method, as it’s impossible to tamper with the direct collection of samples. Because hair grows out from the roots where blood vessels are, drugs in the bloodstream absorb into the hair shaft.
The top method of drug testing may be hair testing, as it can detect drugs up to three months after use. This includes even harder-to-detect drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Opiates, PCP, THC, methamphetamines, and amphetamines are all detectable from 7 to 90 days, but it’s best to remember that people’s hair grows at differing rates.
Urinary Drug Tests
The majority of substance screenings are urine tests because they can detect a wide range of substances. Here at American Screening Corp, customers can purchase high-quality urinalysis strips for various types of urine tests. Results from these tests can provide highly accurate information. The drug detection period varies from substance to substance. In a urine sample, cocaine is detectable from 2 to 3 days after last use, opiates from 2 to 4 days, THC from 15 to 30 days, PCP from 7 to 14 days, amphetamines from 2 to 4 days, and methamphetamines from 3 to 5 days.
In summary, a wide range of factors affects the length of time drugs are detectable within a person. These different detection periods are a wealth of knowledge to be aware of if you’re either supplying a test or the one taking it. If there are lingering concerns about a screening that you will need to have, it’s best to research the drug or meds that you’ve taken for a more detailed understanding of the timeframes of possible detection.
