One of the most common questions people have about drug use is, “How long do drugs stay in your system?” Whether the concern is related to workplace testing, legal matters, or simply curiosity about how the body processes substances, the answer varies for everyone.
Different drugs break down at different rates, and the method of testing—urine, blood, saliva, or hair—also plays a big role in detection times. Add to that factors like frequency of use, dosage, body fat percentage, and overall health, and you begin to see why drug detection is far from a one-size-fits-all answer.
Still, research gives us some clear timelines that can help us understand what to expect. Let’s explore how long common drugs typically remain in the body.
Marijuana (THC)
Marijuana is unique because its main compound, THC, is fat-soluble. This means it gets stored in fat cells and released slowly over time. For occasional users, traces may disappear from urine within a few days, but daily users can test positive for weeks—even up to a month. In blood, it usually clears within a day or two, while saliva tests may detect it for up to three days. Hair tests, however, can reveal marijuana use for as long as 90 days.
Cocaine
Cocaine moves quickly through the body but doesn’t vanish overnight. In urine, it’s usually detectable for two to four days, though heavy use can stretch this to a week or more. Blood and saliva tests generally only pick it up for a day or two, but once again, hair tests can show cocaine use months later.
Opioids (Heroin, Oxycodone, Morphine)
Short-acting opioids like heroin pass through the system fairly quickly. They can often be detected in urine for about one to three days, but in blood, the window is much shorter—sometimes just a few hours. Prescription opioids like oxycodone or hydrocodone may linger slightly longer, especially in those who take them regularly. Hair tests, as with other drugs, will almost always show a history of use stretching back 90 days.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, often known as crystal meth, can be found in urine for three to five days after use, and sometimes longer for frequent users. In blood and saliva, traces usually disappear within two or three days. Hair testing, on the other hand, can easily confirm use for months afterward.
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Ativan)
Benzodiazepines vary widely in how long they stick around. Short-acting versions like Xanax may clear from urine within a few days, while longer-acting ones like Valium can remain detectable for weeks. For people who take them regularly, detection windows stretch even further because these drugs tend to accumulate in fat tissue. Blood tests catch them for a few days, and hair testing once again extends the timeline to 90 days.
MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
MDMA tends to clear faster than many other substances. Urine tests generally pick it up for one to three days, and blood or saliva tests may only work for one to two days. Despite its short stay in the bloodstream, hair tests still provide a long-term record of use.
LSD (Acid)
LSD is harder to detect because it’s taken in such small doses. It usually only shows up in urine for one to three days and in blood for less than 12 hours. Saliva testing can sometimes detect it for a day or two, but it’s rarely looked for in hair testing, even though traces could theoretically remain there for months.
Read More: Drug Testing Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Prescription Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin)
Used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, these medications also follow short detection windows. In urine, they usually last two to four days, while blood and saliva tests may only work for a day or two. Chronic use may extend detection slightly, and hair tests again reveal usage up to 90 days later.
Why Some Drugs Stay Longer Than Others
When comparing these substances, it becomes clear that marijuana and benzodiazepines often remain in the body the longest, especially with frequent use. The reason comes down to fat storage and metabolism—drugs that cling to fat take longer to break down and eliminate. On the other hand, water-soluble drugs like cocaine and MDMA tend to exit the body faster.
Can You Speed Up the Process?
Plenty of myths exist about “flushing” drugs out of your system quickly with water, detox drinks, or exercise. While staying hydrated and healthy can support your body’s natural detox process, there’s no magic way to erase a drug overnight. Time is the only truly reliable factor.
Final Thoughts
How long a drug stays in your system depends on many things: the substance itself, how much and how often you use it, your body, and the test being used. While some drugs can vanish from blood or saliva in just a day, hair tests make it possible to detect nearly any drug for up to three months.
If you’re preparing for a drug test, the most dependable strategy is to allow your body enough time to naturally clear the substance. And if drug use is raising challenges in your life, seeking professional support can be an important step forward.
