How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System

How long heroin stays in your system is different for each person and depends on several factors, like how often and how much heroin is used.

Heroin is a highly addictive illicit opioid that is related to morphine and made from the pod of the poppy plant. Users describe a “rush” when using this substance, requiring frequent dosing to avoid withdrawal. This substance can result in addiction, even after only one use. How long heroin stays in your system can vary by person and depend on several factors, like how often and how much heroin is used.

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is an illicit opioid derived from the pod of the poppy plant. It is related to morphine and can be a white or brown powder or a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin. This highly addictive substance binds to mu-opioid receptors similarly to other prescription pain killers, like oxycodone. However, there is no accepted medical use for this substance, and, as a result, it is classified as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act.

What Does Heroin Feel Like?

People who use heroin report a surge of euphoria often described as chasing “the rush.” Other common short-term effects include dry mouth, flushed skin, nausea and vomiting, severe itching, fogginess and feeling heavy in the arms and legs.

How Long Does Heroin Last?

When heroin is injected directly into the bloodstream, the effects are felt almost immediately and last up to a few minutes. However, if administered under the skin (subcutaneous) or into a muscle (intramuscular), it can take longer to feel the effects, and they would likely last longer.

In general, heroin is present for three to five hours. However, you may be “on the nod” for up to an hour. If you are addicted to heroin, you must use it every 6–12 hours to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Heroin Side Effects

Short-term effects of using heroin include:

• Dry mouth
• Flushed skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe itching
• Fogginess
• Feeling heavy in the arms and legs

Over the long term, the effects of using heroin can include:

• Trouble sleeping
• Collapsed veins (injecting heroin)
• Damaged tissue inside the nose (snorting heroin)
• Infection in the heart lining and valves
• Abscesses (infected tissue filled with pus)
• Constipation
• Stomach cramping
• Liver and kidney disease
• Lung complications (smoking heroin)
• Depression
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Sexual dysfunction for men
• Irregular menstrual cycles for women

Heroin Half-life

Heroin has a very short half-life compared to many other drugs. For example, in one study, heroin’s half-life was estimated at 7.8 minutes and its metabolite, 6-acetylmorphine, was 21.8 minutes. Interestingly, this study found the half-life of 6-acetylmorphine to be 13% lower in those who also consumed cocaine (called “speedballing”) — meaning heroin was eliminated from the body faster in these cases.

How Long Does Heroin Stay In Your System for a Drug Test?

The time heroin stays in your system can depend on several different factors like how much of the drug you use, your height and weight and your genetics. This time can also differ depending on the type of drug test used.

How Long Does Heroin Stay In Your Urine?

Many laboratories can detect heroin in urine for less than one day. This kind of drug testing is common because it is non-invasive and does not require specialized medical personnel (phlebotomists) or medical facilities (laboratories).

How Long Does Heroin Stay In Your Blood?

Heroin is detected in the blood for 0.1 to 0.25 hours (6–15 minutes) after use. Blood tests are less common because they require specialized medical personnel and equipment. As a result, they are more invasive and often more expensive.

How Long Does Heroin Stay In Your Hair?

Drug testing for heroin in hair samples is limited as this test can only detect exposure. Hair sampling cannot detect current intoxication or quantity used. Because of the length of hair required to conduct a follicle drug test, exposure is detectable for about 90 days.

How Long Does Heroin Stay In Your Saliva?

Laboratories can detect heroin in saliva as soon as two minutes and up to 24 hours after smoking it. This drug testing method is most effective for detecting heroin that is smoked. Saliva testing may be less practical for other forms of heroin use, and detection times will differ.

Factors That Affect How Long Heroin Stays in Your System

One of the most significant factors impacting how long heroin stays in your system is how often and how much heroin is used. Similar to other opioids, many other factors can influence this timeline, including:

• Age
• Weight
• Body fat percentage
• Genetics
• Liver function
• Kidney function
• Other substances taken
• How heroin is used (snorting, injecting, smoking, etc.)

What Can Cause a False Positive Drug Test for Heroin?

False positives on a heroin drug test are undoubtedly possible and occur because most drug tests detect the metabolite for heroin. This chemical is chemically similar to other opioids and their metabolites, namely morphine. As a result, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, quinine, quinolones, rifampin, verapamil and poppy seeds are all implicated in causing false positive drug tests for heroin.

How Is Heroin Metabolized in the Body?

The liver metabolizes heroin into 6-monoacetylmorphine and morphine. For this reason, liver dysfunction can significantly impact how long heroin is in the body. Interestingly, heroin and cocaine are metabolized similarly, and taking these substances together (referred to as “speedballing”) can also impact the time it takes to metabolize heroin.

How To Get Heroin Out of Your System

The only effective way for your body to metabolize and eliminate heroin from your system is with time. There are few effective ways to change this timeframe; however, being active and drinking plenty of fluids can promote overall health and support your body’s normal functions.

Get Help for Heroin Addiction in Colorado

If you or someone you love is struggling with heroin addiction, you are not alone. The staff at The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake is here to support you each step of the way. Our qualified healthcare professionals provide a safe and supportive environment for healing while offering a continuum of care ranging from medical detox to rehab and aftercare. Our Joint Commission-accredited facility is just 60 miles from Denver, with personalized treatment plans to serve you best. Contact us today to start your recovery from heroin addiction.