Heroin Detection Timeline [INFOGRAPHIC]

A graphical display of heroin detection times. We reveal what influences heroin detection periods here.

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minute read

Heroin Detection Window

Drug Name: Heroin
Drug Class: Analgesic, Opiate
Street Names: Brown Sugar, China White, H

This heroin infographic gives a visual presentation of how long will it take for heroin to show up on different drug tests. Check it out to be prepared or to know what to expect. In case you are left with any questions about drug tests and heroin, use the section below. We try to respond to all real-life questions with a personal and prompt response.

Heroin Detection Timeline [INFOGRAPHIC]

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What is the Detection Window for Heroin?

Heroin’s detection window ranger from 5 hours from use to 90 days, or longer…depending on the type of drug test used. But what is a detection window, medically speaking? The detection window for a psychoactive drug like heroin is the period during which a drug can be detected in a biological sample. Drugs are detected in tests either from direct deposition in the mouth or by transfer from the blood stream following ingestion and absorption.

Opiate drugs, including heroin, are present in the bloodstream and metabolized in the liver before being eliminated through urine. This process is the reason why heroin drug test results appear in the urine later than on saliva (oral fluid) tests. In fact, heroin is detectable for a significantly longer time in urine than in oral fluid.

Heroin Detection on Drug Tests

How long does heroin stay in your system?

Urine: Heroin is detectable on urine tests 1 – 4 days after the last intake.

Hair: If you used heroin even once and do a hair tests, the results will show heroin presence even after 90 days of your last use.

Saliva: Oral fluid tests track heroin presence between 5 hours and 2 days after your last use.

Blood: Heroin shows on a blood test 6 hours after your last dose.

5 Factors That Affect Heroin Detection Time

1. Age. Younger users usually have a shorter detection than older ones. This is so due to the fact that younger heroin users have a faster metabolism rate and thus can eliminate heroin from their system quickly than adult users. However, this factor should not be taken for granted, as there are other factors that play part in the metabolism rate including a person’s general health as well as drug tolerance.

2. Amount and frequency of use. Heroin used only once, or in small doses, is not as detectable as when used over a long period or chronically.

3. Body mass. Human metabolism and body mass are closely related; that is, higher body mass results to slower metabolism, consequently, longer detection times.

4. Metabolism rate. People with slower body metabolism need longer periods of time to cleanse their system from heroin.

5. Physical activity. Intense and regular physical activity contributes to higher metabolism rate and a shorter detection time. If an individual is inactive, thus having a higher percentage of body fat in relation to body mass, the longer the detection time because the excess metabolites are stored in the fat cells.

NOTE HERE: Heroin detection times in urine, blood, and saliva are an average and can vary greatly by individual. The information in this infographic should be used as a general guideline only.

Heroin Detection Timelines Questions

Still have questions about heroin detection timelines? We welcome your questions and comments in the section below. Feel free to share a personal story and tell others how it went for you on a drug test. Also, if you are thinking of looking for help about a heroin addiction problem don’t hesitate to ask for support at 1-877-302-6584. We try to provide personal and prompt responses to all legitimate inquiries.

And, if you like to learn more about drug testing and detection timelines, download our free guide here.

Refference Sources: NCBI: Detection time of drugs of abuse in urine
NCBI: Laboratory Testing for Prescription Opioids
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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