How Long Do Opioids Stay In Your Urine?

Opioids are a class of drugs, ranging from prescription pain medications like oxycodone and hydrocodone to illicit substances like heroin, that are prescribed for moderate to severe pain but carry a high potential for misuse, dependence, and addiction. Because of that risk, opioid use is closely monitored in clinical, legal, and workplace settings through regular drug testing.

Urine testing is the most widely used method for detecting opioid use, accounting for the majority of drug screens ordered by healthcare providers, employers, courts, and addiction treatment programs. On average, most opioids can be detected in urine for two to four days after the last dose — though that window varies significantly depending on the specific opioid, how long someone has been using it, and other factors.

Learn more about detecting opioids through various drug tests

How Long Can Opioids Be Detected In Urine?

Opioid drugs can be detected in the urine for two to four days on average. This time-frame varies depending on the type of opioid someone has taken.

Common opioids and their average detection times in urine include:

• morphine: two to three days
• oxycodone (OxyContin): two to four days
• codeine: up to three days
• heroin: up to three days
• hydrocodone (Vicodin): two to four days
• methadone: up to two weeks
• fentanyl: one to three days

Short-acting opioid drugs will pass through the system more quickly compared to long-acting opioids. In addition to the type of opioid, several other personal and biological factors can also influence detection times.

Factors That Can Affect How Long Opioids Stay In Urine

Average detection times for opioids may not be applicable to everyone. The amount of time an opioid stays in a person’s urine can depend on a range of factors.

Factors that can affect opioid detection times include:

• age
• dose taken
• method of use (e.g. oral, snorting, injecting)
• body mass
• drug tolerance
• metabolism
• liver and kidney function
• use of other drugs

How Opioids Are Detected In Urine

Opioids can be detected in the urine either unchanged or by their metabolites. Metabolites are the substances drugs are broken down to as they are metabolized in the body. Some types of urine screening methods are more sensitive than others. In addition, some opioids may be detected as other opioids in the body due to their similar chemical structure.

For instance, someone who has used heroin may also test positive for morphine or codeine. Someone who has taken codeine may also test positive for hydrocodone.

Why Are Opioid Drug Tests Used?

Urine tests for opioid use may be ordered for a variety of reasons.

Common reasons why urine tests are used:

• pre-employment screening
• prescription drug monitoring program
• workplace drug testing
• court-ordered drug testing

People with substance use disorders may also be tested for opioid use to confirm compliance with their treatment plan, as part of an addiction rehab program.

Treatment Services For Opioid Addiction

If you or a loved one is worried about testing positive for opioid use, this may indicate a need for opioid addiction treatment.

Common treatment options for opioid use disorder include:

• dual diagnosis treatment
• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• group therapy
• medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• medical detox
• residential treatment
• outpatient programs
• 12-step recovery groups
• counseling
• family therapy

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.