The speed at which the body eliminates heroin affects whether or not it’s detectable in specific drug tests. A saliva test is one that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to identify heroin use. However, several factors impact how long does heroin stay in your saliva and other bodily fluids or parts.
How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your Saliva?
Although the FDA has approved saliva testing to detect heroin use, authorities and companies don’t use it often. The reason is that the drug has a short half-life like many other opiates. Most of the time, heroin only stays in your saliva for five to six hours. However, it may be detectable for up to two days for some people during heroin withdrawal.
What Other Tests Can Detect Heroin in the Body?
Like a saliva test, heroin is only detectable in blood tests for five to six hours. Although, some people still have traces of the drug in their blood for up to two days. Despite that, some new tests can distinguish heroin metabolites, which develop when the liver processes the drug. The metabolites stay in your system longer than the heroin toxins themselves.
A urine test, for instance, can detect heroin in your body for two days after you use. In some cases, though, the drug is measurable for up to a week. With a hair follicle test, the presence of heroin is evident for three months or longer. Because of that, hair follicle testing is the most-desired method of detection, but urine testing is the most cost-effective.
Factors That Affect Heroin Detection
Like your blood, urine, and hair, how long does heroin stay in your saliva depends on several factors. First, your weight and height have an effect on how much heroin you use to get high. These measurements determine how long the drug stays in your system too. In general, the bigger you are, the faster heroin leaves your body.
Second, how much heroin you use is a factor. As a rule of thumb, the more you take, the longer it will linger in your body. Using high-quality heroin and for a prolonged period can increase the duration of the drug in your system.
Your metabolism is a factor as well. If your metabolism is slow because you live a sedentary lifestyle, traces of the drug will linger. Other factors that affect the detection of heroin include age, genetics, body fat, hydration, and liver and kidney health.
Get Help for Heroin Abuse and Addiction
Do you have a heroin use problem and want help? Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston can provide the detox you need. In addition to being a heroin detox center, we offer programs for many types of drug problems, including:
Put an end to the harm that heroin causes in your life. Learn more about how long does heroin stay in your saliva at our facility. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston at 866.516.8356 to take the first step toward a drug-free life.
