How long can drugs and alcohol be detected in urine?


Drugs of AbuseApproximate Retention Time
Amphetamines  48 hours
Barbiturates  Short acting (e.g. secobarbita) 24 hours, Long acting (e.g. Phenobarbital) 2-3 weeks
Benzodiazepines  72 hours if therapeutic dose ingested
Cannabinoids, Metabolites, Marijuana  Moderate smoker (4 times/week) – 5 days, Heavy smoker (daily) –  10 days, Retention time of chronic smokers (3-4 times/day) may be 20 days or more
Cocaine  6-8 hours post ingestion
Cocaine Metabolites (Benzoylecgonine)  48-96 hours
Codeine  48 hours (up to 72 hours as morphine metabolite)
Ethyl Alcohol  7-12 hours
Heroin (as morphine)  36-72 hours
Hydrocodone  24 hours
Hydromorphone  48 hours
Methadone  Approximately 72 hours
Morphine  48-72 hours
Opiates (Heroin, Morphine, Codeine)  48 hours
Oxcodone  24 hours
Phencyclidine  Approximately 8 days
Propoxyphene (Dar-von)  6-48 hours

These are general guidelines only provided by drug testing companies. Interpretation of retention time must take into account variability of urine specimens; drug metabolism and half-life; patient’s physical condition; fluid intake; and method and frequency of ingestion.