Heroin is a drug that can be detected in the body for different lengths of time, depending on the type of test. Urine tests usually detect heroin for 1 to 4 days after initial use. Blood tests can find heroin for up to 6 hours, while hair tests may detect its presence for up to 90 days.
These detection times can be important for people who are facing drug tests or are seeking help for heroin use. Westwind Recovery® provides support and treatment for individuals dealing with heroin addiction in Los Angeles, using an approach that is both compassionate and evidence-based.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is an illegal opioid made from morphine, which comes from the opium poppy plant. It is sometimes called by street names such as “smack,” “H,” or “white horse.” The drug is often found as a white or brown powder, or as a sticky black substance referred to as black tar heroin.
People use heroin by injecting (after dissolving it in water or other substance), snorting, or smoking it. Heroin is highly addictive and can quickly lead to physical and mental health problems. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 1 million people in the United States reported using heroin in the past year, and use has increased in recent years.
How Long Heroin Stays in the Body
Heroin does not stay in the body for very long, as the drug itself breaks down quickly. Its half-life is about 2 to 6 minutes. However, the body turns heroin into substances called metabolites, like morphine and 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM), which remain in the body longer. These metabolites are what most drug tests are designed to find.
Urine tests are the most common way to check for heroin use. For someone who uses heroin occasionally, the drug’s metabolites can be found in urine for 1 to 4 days after initial use. For people who use heroin regularly, metabolites can be detected for up to 1 week. Urine tests are often used because they are easy to use and give reliable results.
Blood tests can find heroin in the body for up to 6 hours after the last time it was used. This method is not used as often as urine testing, and is usually used in medical emergencies or legal investigations.
Saliva tests can detect heroin use for about 5 to 6 hours after the last use. These tests are sometimes used by police for roadside checks because they work quickly, but they may not detect heroin use that happened more than several hours earlier.
Hair tests can detect signs of heroin use over a much longer period. Heroin metabolites can be found in hair for up to 90 days after use. Hair tests can show a pattern of drug use over time, but they are not typically able to detect very recent use that happened within the last week. Hair testing also tends to cost more than other types of drug tests.
Key Factors That Affect Heroin Detection Times
Individual factors play a role in how long heroin stays in the body and how long it can be detected by different drug tests.
Taking higher amounts of heroin can make detection times longer. The purity of heroin influences how much of the actual drug and its byproducts may be present in the body over time. Street heroin is often mixed with other substances called adulterants, which can change the way the body processes heroin and how long it may be detectable.
People who use heroin every day may test positive in urine tests for up to one week. Those who use heroin only once in a while may have detection times that are shorter and more predictable. When heroin is used often, it can build up in the body. This can make it show up on drug tests over a longer period of time.
Several biological factors affect how quickly heroin leaves the system. Older individuals may have a slower metabolism, which can increase detection times. People with higher body fat may store heroin byproducts for longer periods.
The liver and kidneys are responsible for breaking down and removing heroin from the body, so their function is important to the process. Hydration can assist the body in eliminating substances, but only to a limited degree. Chronic heroin use can harm organs like the liver and kidneys, which may make the drug and its byproducts take even longer to clear from the body.
Heroin Overdose Warning Signs
Heroin overdose can cause the body to slow down or stop important functions. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that more than 13,000 people in the United States died from heroin-involved overdoses.
Physical signs of an overdose include:
- Slow, shallow, or no breathing.
- A person may also lose consciousness and become unresponsive.
- Blue lips or fingernails, due to a lack of oxygen.
- The skin may feel cold or clammy to the touch.
- Eyes will often have pinpoint pupils, where the black part of the eye looks very small.
If an overdose is suspected, call 911 and use Naloxone (Narcan) if it is available. Most states in the United States have Good Samaritan laws that protect people seeking help for others experiencing drug overdose, so do not hesitate to seek medical help even if you yourself have been using drugs.
Managing Heroin Withdrawal
When a person stops using heroin, the body begins to get rid of the drug and must adjust to its absence. This process is called withdrawal.
Withdrawal from heroin follows a typical timeline. Symptoms usually begin 6 to 12 hours after the last dose. They are often at their most severe between 24 and 48 hours after stopping heroin. For most people, the most intense symptoms last between 5 and 10 days.
Physical symptoms of heroin withdrawal can include muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Psychological symptoms may include feelings of anxiety, depression, and strong cravings for heroin.
Safe management of heroin withdrawal symptoms often involves medical supervision. Medical professionals can help monitor symptoms and provide care to reduce the risk of complications.
Options for Heroin Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles
Heroin-related deaths in the U.S. exceed 15,000 each year. The contents of street heroin are often unpredictable, sometimes containing added substances like fentanyl without the user’s knowledge. This increases the risk of overdose and other medical emergencies.
Addiction is a medical condition that can be treated. There are several types of care available in Los Angeles for people who want to stop using heroin.
Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, uses medicines approved by the FDA to help people in recovery from heroin addiction.
- Methadone is a medication that can lower cravings for heroin and help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it attaches to opioid receptors in the brain and eases withdrawal without causing a strong high.
- Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the effects of opioids and can help prevent relapse.
Doctors or other licensed professionals supervise all medical treatment of this type to ensure safety.
Behavioral therapies are treatments that help people change their actions and thoughts connected to substance use.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on changing negative thinking patterns and teaching new ways to cope with problems.
- Group therapy brings together people with similar experiences so they can support each other and share advice.
- Individual counseling is a one-on-one therapy format that is tailored to each person’s needs and goals.
Support from others can help people maintain recovery over time.
- 12-step programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous, provide a group structure where people can share experiences and support each other.
- SMART Recovery is another support program that uses a science-based approach to help people manage addiction.
- Telehealth treatment options allow people to get counseling and support remotely, using phones or computers.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery at Westwind Recovery®
Heroin use is a medical concern that often requires professional support. Treatment programs for heroin addiction are based on scientific research and involve a team of trained professionals. Evidence shows that people who participate in these structured, evidence-based treatment programs are more likely to achieve recovery.
Westwind Recovery® provides heroin addiction treatment with a focus on individualized care and ongoing support. We’re here to support your health and recovery. For more information or to connect with a team member, contact us today.
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
