Drug Testing Statistics
January 28th, 2011
Even after a single use, traces of drugs remain in your system for a measurable length of time. This is important to take into account especially for those who are required to take drug tests for employment or athletic activities. Drug tests chemically measure the drug content of an individual by analyzing their urine, hair follicles, blood, saliva, or even sweat. They are conducted frequently in rehabilitation centers and many places of work; some parents use at-home drug testing as a method of checking up on their child’s drug use a s well. The length of time for which drugs remain in the system varies greatly according to the type of drug used, ranging from 1-2 days for Ritalin to 49-63 days for daily marijuana use. Below is a chart detailing these statistics.
|
Substance |
Common Drug Names |
Medical Uses |
Drug Detection Times |
|
Stimulants |
|
|
|
|
Amphetamine |
Biphetamine, Dexedrine; Black Beauties, White Crosses |
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, narcolepsy |
2-5 days |
|
Cocaine |
Coke, Crack, Snow |
Local anesthetic, vasoconstrictor |
2-5 days |
|
Methamphetamine |
Desoxyn; Crank, Crystal, Glass, Ice, Speed |
ADHD, obesity, narcolepsy |
3-5 days |
|
Methylphenidate |
Ritalin |
ADHD, narcolepsy |
1-2 days |
|
Nicotine |
Habitrol patch, Nicorette gum, Nicotrol spray, Prostep patch; Cigars, Cigarettes, Smokeless tobacco, Snuff, Spit tobacco |
Treatment for nicotine dependence |
4-10 days |
|
Hallucinogens and Other Compounds |
|
|
|
|
LSD |
Acid, Microdot |
None |
7-10 days |
|
Mescaline |
Buttons, Cactus, Mesc, Peyote |
None |
5-7 days |
|
Phencyclidine & Analogs |
PCP; Angel Dust, Boat, Hog, Love Boat |
Anesthetic (veterinary) |
2-8 days |
|
Psilocybin |
Magic Mushroom, Purple Passion, Shrooms |
None |
5-7 days |
|
Amphetamine variants |
DOB, DOM, MDA, MDMA; Adam, Ecstasy, STP, XTC |
None |
5-7 days |
|
Marijuana |
Blunt, Grass, Herb, Pot, Reefer, Chronic, Smoke, Weed |
Limited, Analgesic |
|
|
Hashish |
Hash |
Limited, Analgesic |
|
|
Tetrahydrocannabinol |
Marinol, THC |
Antiemetic |
|
|
Anabolic Steroids |
Testosterone (T/E ratio), Stanazolol, Nandrolone |
Hormone Replacement Therapy |
Oral: up to 3 weeks (for testosterone and others); Injected: up to 3 months (Nandrolone up to 9 months) |
|
Opiates and Morphine Derivatives |
|
|
|
|
Codeine |
Tylenol w/codeine, Robitussin A-C, Empirin w/codeine, Fiorinal w/codeine |
Analgesic, antitussive |
5-7 days |
|
Heroin |
Diacetylmorphine; Horse, Smack |
None |
5-7 days |
|
Methadone |
Amidone, Dolophine, Methadose |
Analgesic, treatment for opiate dependence |
5-7 days |
|
Morphine |
Roxanol, Duramorph |
Analgesic |
5-7 days |
|
Opium |
Laudanum, Paregoric; Dover’s Powder |
Analgesic, antidiarrheal |
5-7 days |
|
Depressants |
|
|
|
|
Alcohol |
Beer, Wine, Liquor |
Antidote for methanol poisoning |
24-48 hours |
|
Barbiturates |
Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital; Barbs |
Anesthetic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative |
2 days – 4 weeks |
|
Benzodiazepines |
Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Rohypnol, Valium; Roofies, Tranks, Xanax |
Antianxiety, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative |
7-10 days |
|
Methaqualone |
Quaalude, Ludes |
None |
2 weeks |
|
Marijuana Detection Time Based on Usage |
|
|
Usage at 1 time only |
5-8 days |
|
Usage at 2-4 times per month |
11-18 days |
|
Usage at 2-4 times week |
23-35 days |
|
Usage at 5-6 times per week |
33-48 days |
|
Daily Usage |
49-63 days |
Chart source: http://www.ipassedmydrugtest.com/drug_detection_times.asp
How do drug tests work?
Urinalyses, hair follicle, blood, and saliva tests all search for metabolites–tiny concentrations of contaminates that let testers know which substances have been used. While urinalyses are the most commonly administered tests, they are also the easiest to “cheat.” This has led many test administrators to collect more reliable substances, such as hair follicles (which retain traces of drugs up to years after use) and blood (which is the most expensive, but most accurate, form of testing).
Drug tests are extremely difficult and risky to “cheat,” so the only true way to pass them is to abstain from drug use. Failing a test can lead to unemployment, legal action, and other difficulties, depending on the situation in which it is administered. While much controversy exists over the fairness of random testing, it remains as yet another reason for drug addicts to begin their road to recovery now.
Sources:
