Heroin is a highly addictive opiate that can be very hard to quit. Heroin withdrawal is challenging physically and mentally, but once the last of it’s gone from your system, recovery can begin in earnest. Many people ask, “How long does heroin stay in your system?” The answer varies depending on certain factors, but once you enroll in a heroin addiction treatment program, you’ll have a good idea of the timeline for detox and recommendations about how long to engage in rehab. The professionals at The Right Step Houston understand what it takes to begin the recovery journey and are here to help people struggling with heroin abuse.
What To Know About Heroin Abuse
There are many paths someone might take to heroin abuse—and remember, any use of heroin is abuse as the drug is an illegal, highly addictive Schedule I narcotic. Some people seek escape from difficult lives or to quiet the symptoms of a mental health condition like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or bipolar disorder.
Others are prescribed something like oxycodone, a pharmaceutical opioid, after surgery or an injury. Physical dependence can lead to misuse—using the drug not as prescribed—which can lead to addiction. Often, users switch from a prescription opioid to heroin when the prescription can no longer be renewed. Heroin is cheaper and easier to find on the street than prescription painkillers.
Heroin can be injected, snorted, or smoked, all of which introduce the drug into the brain, where it overwhelms the opioid receptors. The brain becomes dependent on the drug to enable any pleasure, and soon, the body requires more significant amounts to achieve a mere baseline.
How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System?
Leaving the body and being detectable in a test aren’t always the same. Blood tests can detect heroin while it is still circulating, and hair follicle tests reveal past heroin use even if the drug is no longer active in the body.
Factors to Consider
However, individuals must complete heroin withdrawal for proper recovery to begin. The length of time it takes for your body to detox from heroin is affected by several factors, including:
- Age
- Body size (height and weight)
- Genetics
- Body fat
- Rate of metabolism
- Amounts taken
- Drug purity
- Hydration levels
- Physical activity levels
- Kidney health
- Liver health
Heavy people and chronic users will test positive for heroin far longer than those who have a shorter or less intense heroin abuse history.
According to Specific Tests
Given all the variables, the general rule of thumb regarding heroin drug testing is that:
- In saliva tests, injected heroin is detectable for up to 6 hours
- In saliva tests, smoked heroin is detectable for up to 24 hours
- Heroin is detectable in urine for up to 60 hours
- Heroin is detectable in hair for up to six months
The primary goal of beginning your recovery journey is to safely stop substance use through a supervised medical detox program, allowing your body to eliminate the drug from your system naturally. It’ll take as long as it takes. Meanwhile, The Right Step Houston staff will support and help you as you go.
Connect with The Right Step Houston and Begin Your Recovery from Heroin Addiction Treatment Today
If you’re struggling with heroin abuse and want to stop, let The Right Step Houston help you. We’ll guide you through a medically managed detox through a personalized treatment plan that includes evidence-based therapies and beyond discharge in our aftercare program.
You can enroll in an inpatient or intensive outpatient program (IOP), and we also offer women’s and men’s rehab programs. Our mission is to help you reach your goal of lasting recovery with the support you deserve in a safe, caring environment. Ready to get started? Contact our team online or call 1.844.768.0169 today.