A common question among people who use drugs — whether it’s recreationally or for medical purposes — is, “how long do drugs stay in your system?”
The duration of the effects of the drug depends on a variety of factors. While the effects themselves may last a certain amount of time, traces of the substance may stay in the person’s system days after their last dose.
Factors That Determine the Amount of Time Drugs Stay in Your System
As a center for addiction treatment in Stuart, we know that the duration of time drugs stay in your system depends on several factors, including:
- The type of drug
- Dosage
- Frequency of use or intensity of addiction
- Hydration
- Metabolism
- Weight
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Biological sex
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Whether the drug was combined with other substances
Even if the individual was at their healthiest when their drug abuse began, they will experience a severe decline in their physical and mental health as a result of addiction. The negative impact of drug abuse can be avoided or further prevented with an effective addiction treatment plan. At Banyan Detox Stuart, we normally recommend a medically-monitored detox as the first step in our patients’ recovery to help them heal physically before moving on to the next phase of treatment. A detox can help drain any left-over toxins from their system and safely manage withdrawal symptoms.
How Long Different Drugs Stay in Your System
For those wondering, “how long do drugs stay in your system?”, the duration of symptoms heavily relies on the drug in question. Traces of certain drugs may be found in a person’s body for longer periods of time after their last use.
The duration of the effects of commonly used drugs are as follows:1
- Marijuana: Traces of marijuana can be detected as soon as one to three hours and can stay in a person’s system for up to seven days after their last dose.
- Cocaine: Cocaine can be detected in a person’s body between two to six hours of their last use and can stay in the person’s body for up to three days.
- Heroin: Heroin and other opiates can be detected between two to six hours since the person’s last use and can stay in their system for as long as three days.
- Speed: Speed, also referred to as amphetamine or methamphetamine, can be detected between four and six hours since the last dose, and can stay in a person’s body for as long as three days.
- Benzodiazepines (benzos): Benzos are detected by drug tests conducted two to seven hours after the person’s last dose, and can stay in a person’s system for up to four days
- PCP/ Angel Dust: Angel dust has one of the longest duration periods. It can stay in a person’s system for up to two weeks. It can be detected by drug tests between four to six hours after the person’s last dose.
Long-term drug abuse can deteriorate your physical and mental health over time. At our Stuart rehab center, we offer a residential treatment program that offers a safe and comfortable environment in which patients can receive effective addiction treatment. There, our patients can heal from the effects of drug abuse and learn how to sustain their sobriety after rehab.
If you or a loved one is combatting substance abuse, call us today at 888-280-4763 to learn how we can help you achieve sobriety.
If you or a loved one is combatting substance abuse, call us today at 888-280-4763 to find out more about our intensive inpatient program.
Sources:
