How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay In Your Hair?

Vicodin is the brand name for a prescription tablet of hydrocodone and acetaminophen which can be detected in the hair for up to 90 days, on average. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opiate (a narcotic) and is used to treat severe pain by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.

If misused, hydrocodone can lead to addiction, overdose, and in some cases death.

Learn about opioid detection times.

Detecting Hydrocodone In Hair

Vicodin, the brand name for a prescription combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, can be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days after the last use, giving hair testing the longest detection window of any drug screening method. Hair testing works by analyzing a small sample taken from the scalp or another area of the body for traces of the drug and its metabolites that become incorporated into the hair shaft as it grows.

While the 90-day window applies broadly, the actual detection timeframe can vary depending on how frequently the drug was used, how much was taken, and a range of personal and biological factors. People who have used hydrocodone over a long period may have traces detectable for longer than occasional or first-time users.

Factors That Affect How Long Vicodin Stays In Your Hair

Someone who takes hydrocodone will feel the effect of the drug for about four to six hours, but hydrocodone stays in a person’s system much longer than that.

How long hydrocodone stays in the body may be affected by:

• dosage
• age
• how frequently it’s taken
• genetics

While these factors can shift the detection window in either direction, the 90-day estimate applies to most people who have used hydrocodone regularly over time.

Can Vicodin Hair Tests Produce False Positives?

False positives for hydrocodone on hair tests are uncommon but possible. Certain medications, including some antihistamines and prescription drugs, can trigger a positive result for opioids on an initial immunoassay screening. If you’re taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, disclosing that information to your doctor or the testing lab beforehand is important.

A confirmatory test using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry can accurately distinguish between a false positive and actual hydrocodone use.

Find Addiction Treatment Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with Vicodin or hydrocodone misuse, effective treatment is available. Options range from medically supervised detox and inpatient to outpatient programs and medication-assisted treatment using buprenorphine or methadone. Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.