Appendix 1922.1: Detection Periods for Abused Substances
CPS June 2010
The following chart, from a national testing lab, gives approximate detection periods for each substance by test type. The ranges depend on the amount and frequency of use, metabolic rate, body mass, age, overall health, and urine pH.
For ease of use, the detection times of metabolites have been incorporated into each parent drug. For example, heroin and cocaine can be detected only for a few hours after use, but their metabolites can be detected for several days in urine. In this type of situation, the lab reports the (longer) detection times of the metabolites.
Note 1: Oral fluid or saliva testing results for the most part mimic that of blood. The only exception is THC. Oral fluid will likely detect THC from ingestion up to a maximum period of 18 to 24 hours.
Note 2: Urine cannot detect current drug use. It takes approximately six to eight hours, or more after consumption for a drug to be metabolized and excreted in urine. Similarly, hair requires two weeks and sweat requires seven days.
| Substance |
Urine |
Hair |
Saliva |
|---|---|---|---|
Alcohol |
10 to 12 hours |
|
Up to 24 hours |
Amphetamines |
1 to 5 days |
up to 90 days (for body hair, 1 year) |
1 to 48 hours |
1 to 5 days |
up to 90 days (for body hair, 1 year) |
1 to 48 hours |
|
Barbiturates |
2 to 12 days |
|
|
7 to 14 days |
|
|
|
Therapeutic use: 3 days. Chronic use (over one year): 1 to 12 weeks |
|
|
|
Cannabis (Marijuana) |
Single Use: 14 days |
up to 90 days (for body hair, 1 year) |
1 to 48 hours |
1 to 3 days |
up to 90 days (for body hair, 1 year) |
1 to 48 hours |
|
2 to 4 days |
up to 90 days (for body hair, 1 year) |
1 to 48 hours |
|
1 to 4 s |
up to 90 days (for body hair, 1 year) |
1 to 48 hours |
|
8 hours |
up to 90 days (for body hair, 1 year) |
0.5 to 8 hours |
|
2 to 24 hours |
|
|
|
Methadone |
1 to 10 days |
|
|
2 to 10 days; up to 30 days in chronic users |
up to 90 days (for body hair, 1 year) |
1 to 48 hours |