Different drugs stay in your saliva for varying lengths of time, with alcohol being detectable for 12-24 hours, marijuana for up to 36 hours, MDMA for 15-45 minutes to 71 hours, cocaine for 2-4 days, and heroin and other opioids for durations that depend on drug strength and individual factors. Saliva tests are a common method for drug detection, as they are fast and accurate, and are used by employers, law enforcement, and addiction treatment centers. The detection time for each drug depends on factors such as the amount consumed, strength, age, weight, gender, and genetic makeup. For more information on drug detox in California, visit Quest 2 Recovery’s website.
Here are some of the most commonly used drugs and the amount of time that they are detected by a saliva test:
Alcohol
Alcohol is processed by the body very rapidly and is detected 12-24 hours after use in a person’s saliva. The detection time window varies, however, depending on the amount and strength of alcohol a person has been drinking, and their age, weight, gender, and genetic makeup.
According to Paton A.’s 2005 study, ‘Alcohol in the body.’, alcohol is eliminated from the blood at a rate of 3.3 mmol/hour (15 mg/100 ml/hour). Blood alcohol concentration peaks approximately one hour after consumption on an empty stomach and then declines linearly for about four hours. Detectable amounts persist for several hours after consuming three pints of beer or three double whiskies. The elimination rate varies between individuals based on drinking history, body composition, and food consumption. Heavy drinkers metabolize alcohol faster through increased normal metabolism and activation of the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system.
Marijuana
Saliva tests detect marijuana for up to 36 hours after use, whether it was smoked or ingested. According to Niedbala, R.S.’s 2001 study, ‘Detection of Marijuana Use by Oral Fluid and Urine Analysis Following Single-Dose Administration of Smoked and Oral Marijuana.’, marijuana (THC) remains detectable in oral fluid for specific timeframes after smoking. Tests conducted using Enzyme Immunoassay detected THC in saliva consecutively for an average of 15 hours with ranges of 1-24 hours, while confirmation testing with GC-MS-MS showed consecutive positive results for 13 hours on average. The last positive oral fluid specimen appeared at approximately 31-34 hours after smoking. Oral fluid testing demonstrated immediate detection capability unlike urine testing, which typically showed first positive results 4-6 hours after marijuana use. This detection window indicates that oral fluid testing identifies recent marijuana consumption effectively, making it valuable for safety-sensitive testing environments where current impairment assessment matters most. Understanding how long marijuana stays in saliva is crucial for employers and law enforcement officials who need to establish current impairment levels. This variable detection window allows for more accurate assessments in real-time scenarios, ensuring that safety protocols are upheld.
MDMA
MDMA, also known as ecstasy, is a popular recreational drug. MDMA is detected in saliva immediately after consumption, with a rapid appearance in oral fluid often occurring within 15-45 minutes post-ingestion.
According to Barnes, A. J.’s 2011 study, ‘MDMA and metabolite disposition in expectorated oral fluid after controlled oral MDMA administration.’, MDMA concentrations in saliva reach up to 12,000 ng/mL, with the highest levels typically occurring 2-3 hours after dosing. MDMA persists in oral fluid for approximately 47 hours following single recreational doses of 70-150 mg, though detection extends to 71 hours in some individuals. The metabolite MDA appears slightly later (0.5-1.75 hours after dosing), reaches lower maximum concentrations (up to 403 ng/mL), and demonstrates a shorter detection window of 29 hours.
Cocaine
Cocaine detection occurs a few minutes after use. Cocaine remains in a person’s saliva for 2-4 days. Saliva tests are designed to detect the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine that is produced by the liver.
According to Dana, K.’s 2015 study, ‘Rapid Analysis of Cocaine in Saliva by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.’, cocaine concentrations in saliva showed a significant correlation with blood plasma concentrations. Saliva contained cocaine at levels 4.9 times higher than urine and serum samples. All saliva samples yielded true positive results for cocaine detection while matched urine and serum samples occasionally contained undetectable amounts. The current detection threshold established by SAMHSA ranges between 10-50 ppb (10-50 ng/mL). Using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), researchers successfully detected cocaine in saliva at concentrations as low as 25 ng/mL, with the entire analysis procedure requiring only 15.5 minutes to complete.
Heroin & Other Opioid Drugs
Detection time for opioid drugs varies based on drug strength and individual factors such as age, weight, overall health, and genetic makeup.
According to Shende, C.’s 2019 study, ‘Detection of codeine and fentanyl in saliva, blood plasma, and whole blood in 5 minutes using a SERS flow-separation strip.’, codeine and fentanyl detection in saliva takes 5 minutes using a SERS flow-separation strip. Saliva samples flow up the strip in 1-2 minutes. The method detects codeine at 1 μg/mL and fentanyl at 0.5 μg/mL, with detection limits of 70 ng/mL and 22 ng/mL respectively. This rapid detection provides emergency responders with critical information for overdose treatment.
According to Jenkins, A. J.’s 1995 study, ‘Comparison of heroin and cocaine concentrations in saliva with concentrations in blood and plasma.’, heroin appears in saliva within two minutes after administration by both smoked and intravenous routes. Saliva testing detects heroin for different durations based on the administration method. Intravenous heroin remains detectable in saliva for up to 60 minutes before falling below the 1 ng/mL detection threshold. Smoked heroin persists significantly longer in saliva, with detection times ranging from 4 to 24 hours. The peak concentrations occur quickly – between 2 and 5 minutes after intravenous administration and at 2 minutes after smoking. This rapid appearance and extended detection window for smoked heroin make saliva an effective biological matrix for heroin detection in drug testing protocols.
How Do I Find Quality Drug Detox In California?
Finding quality drug detox in California involves several steps. Begin by researching online directories and resources that list accredited facilities. Look for drug and detox centers that emphasize medically supervised detoxification and personalized treatment plans. Check for licenses and certifications. Read reviews and testimonials to gauge patient experiences. Contact centers directly to inquire about their specific programs, staff qualifications, and aftercare options.