Opiates are powerful drugs with significant effects, raising an important question: how long do opiates remain in the body? To answer this, it’s essential to understand what opiates are, the various types available, how they affect the body, and the risks involved. While opiates serve important medical purposes, they can be extremely dangerous when misused or abused. Despite these risks, their strong effects also make them highly sought after for recreational use.
In fact, opiates have shocking and tragic abuse rates, known as the opioid epidemic, which had its first wave in the 1990s. Since then, opioid abuse has continued and been declared a “public health emergency.” For some context, in 2022 in the United States, approximately 73,838 adults died from opioid-related overdoses. Unsurprisingly, opioids are the most overdosed-on drug class. These numbers only show the severity of opiate abuse, since individuals are not prescribed doses they can overdose on. It is only when people abuse these powerful substances that they can overdose and die.
If you’ve used any type of opioid, you might wonder: how long does the drug stay in your system? How long will its effects last? And what risks do opioids pose to your body? Let’s take a closer look at these important questions.
What Kind of Drugs are Opiates?
First, what exactly are opiates? And how do opiates differ from opioids—the term often heard in phrases like the “opioid epidemic”? Both opiates and opioids are narcotics that act on the body in similar ways, producing comparable effects. The key difference is that opiates are naturally derived from the opium poppy plant, while opioids include both natural and synthetic drugs that have been chemically modified.
For example, opium is a true opiate because it comes directly from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). In contrast, hydrocodone is an opioid that originates from opium but has been synthetically altered in a lab for specific medical uses. Regardless of the terminology, all opioids and opiates trace their origins back to natural, plant-based substances like opium and morphine. For simplicity, this article will use “opiates” and “opioids” interchangeably.
There are many different types of drugs in the opioid class, including:
- Opium
- Morphine
- Heroin
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
Further, here are some of the street names used to refer to different opioids:
- Percs
- Pain killer
- Demmies
- China girl
- TNT
- Oxy
- Oxycat
- Jackpot
- Juice
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Opiate Abuse?
Recognizing when someone is abusing drugs—especially powerful and dangerous substances like opioids—is not always easy. Often, individuals struggling with addiction become secretive and evasive. While this behavior can make it difficult to detect, it can also serve as an important warning sign. If you suspect someone you know is struggling with opiate abuse, staying observant and attentive can help you identify key indicators. These include mental, physical, and behavioral indicators. Some of the symptoms of opioid addictionare as follow:
- Sneaky behavior
- New friend groups
- Disheveled appearance
- Cravings
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Dry mouth
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Heavy limbs
- Trouble sleeping
- Diminished libido
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Poor cognitive function
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood changes
- Agitation
- Poor performance in work, school, or personal responsibilities
- Social isolation
Further, you may notice drug paraphernalia for opiate abuse like needles, pipes, and miniature spoons.
Along with symptoms of opiate abuse, there are also symptoms of opiate withdrawal that occur when a person tries to quit. These include:
- Cravings
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Flu-like symptoms
- Mood swings
- Stomach pain
- Sweating
- Clammy skin
- Restlessness
- Suicidal thoughts
Just as abusing opioids is dangerous, attempting to quit on your own can be equally risky. Both opioids and opiates are incredibly potent—especially those that have been synthetically enhanced in a lab. Once your body becomes dependent on these substances, stopping abruptly can be harmful because your system has come to see them as the new normal. While removing opioids from your body is a crucial step toward recovery, it must be done carefully to avoid serious complications. Without proper support, your body may go into shock when deprived of a substance it relies on.
Next, let’s explore how long opioids remain in your system after use and how a safe detox process can help cleanse your body of these toxins.
Are you struggling with substance abuse and mental illness?
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How Long Do Opiates Stay in Your Body?
The length of time opioids stay in your system varies depending on several factors. Different drugs have unique absorption rates and detection windows, so the timeline changes based on which opioid you’ve used. Additionally, factors like the amount taken, your body size, genetics, and drug use history all influence how long opioids remain detectable.
Generally, opioids can be detected in urine for 24 to 48 hours after use. However, they may be found in blood, saliva, and hair samples for much longer—with traces lingering in hair for up to three months. The longer and more frequently you use opioids, the longer they will stay in your system, as continuous use prevents your body from fully clearing the substances.
The only true way to eliminate opiates from your body is through detoxification, allowing your system to heal without the drug. However, quitting on your own is extremely challenging and often dangerous. Many who attempt to quit solo relapse or risk serious health complications. Because of this, it’s crucial to approach opioid cessation with care.
We support individuals facing opiate withdrawal through medical detox programs. Detox typically lasts between 4 to 8 days in a professional facility. Withdrawal symptoms can be intense and peak between 24 to 36 hours, making a safe, monitored environment essential. Medical supervision ensures you receive necessary care and medications to ease discomfort during this difficult process.
What Is Opioid Addiction Treatment Like?
Opioid addiction treatment is a straightforward process that leaves no surprises. Our guests first have an initial consultation with a substance abuse professional at Seaglass Recovery. During this meeting, they’ll craft a custom service plan for their time in treatment. We can also verify your insurance before you begin paying for anything so you better understand your policy. Thus, you’ll know your costs, timeline, program details, and recovery goals before you even begin.
We break treatment into the residential inpatient level and outpatient levels. Our guests with opioid addiction challenges will begin with medical detoxification before transitioning into a later level. During both inpatient and outpatient care, you will learn coping skills, self-management, relapse prevention, and the reasons behind your addiction. The main difference between the levels is whether you live in-center or at home. Further, because we are a holistic treatment center, all of our guests participate in traditional psychotherapy and alternative therapies.
Recovering from opiate abuse may seem like a long and arduous road from where you’re standing. But we promise once you start planning your treatment and taking the steps towards healing, time will fly! In a few months’ time you can be in a completely different place in your life from now. Sobriety is possible and within reach if you begin getting help now.
Opioid Abuse Treatment at Seaglass Recovery Center
Now that you how long opioids linger in the body causing harm, you’re also more aware of the dangers of addiction. It is not possible to safely overcome opioid addiction alone. But waiting to receive help can be a life or death difference. If someone you love is abusing opioids, it’s important to encourage them to get help. If you yourself are struggling with drug abuse, it’s time to invite professional assistance into your story. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to quit. Additionally, you’ll put yourself at risk of greater health complications which may be irreversible.
People of all demographics become addicted to opiates, but we focus on treating women at Seaglass Recovery. See, women have a different experience of addiction than men due to social, cultural, and personal factors. Thus, our women-only recovery center focuses on women-specific topics, issues, and needs. We treat drug addiction, alcohol addiction, mental health challenges, and dual diagnoses in one location through different programs. Therefore, the first thing you’ll do when starting treatment is develop a customized service plan for your unique situation. You will follow this plan through the upcoming days and weeks for a personalized path of healing.
The longer you abuse opiates the longer they’ll linger in your body, eventually changing your functioning and trapping you in a vicious cycle. We urge you not to wait to get help. Seaglass Recovery Center for women is here and ready for you. Call us now to get started!
