Fentanyl is a major contributing factor to fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the U.S. This synthetic opioid is often added to other substances because it makes them cheaper, stronger, and more addictive. Fentanyl’s potency makes overdose a real possibility — but how long does it stay in your system? Even though the effects are only felt for a few hours, traces of fentanyl remain in the body.
Here in Yavapai County, local DEA officials have identified opioids as a top threat. According to officials, fentanyl has claimed the lives of over 50 people in Yavapai County over the last five years. Sadly, many of these people weren’t aware that fentanyl was in the substance they took. By the time they began to experience overdose symptoms like trouble breathing or a loss of consciousness, it was too late.
Wolf Creek Recovery offers treatment services for opioid use disorders. We follow a comprehensive approach that includes evidence-based treatments and complementary therapies, including outdoor therapy. Our goal is to help people overcome their substance use disorder while building a life that they love. Recovery is hard work, but with the right tools, you can succeed.
How long does fentanyl stay in your system? Let’s answer that question in more detail so that you can better understand this powerful opioid.
Fentanyl Detection Time
The length of time that fentanyl can be detected in the body depends on the type of fentanyl used, the method of use, individual metabolism rates, and the type of drug test. For instance, fentanyl comes in different forms, such as lozenges, patches, and illicit pills. How the substance is used influences how quickly the body can absorb and eliminate it. Additionally, each body is unique. Some bodies have faster metabolisms than others, allowing them to eliminate fentanyl faster.
As with other substances, fentanyl can be detected in the hair for several months, while it can only be detected for a few hours or days using saliva, blood, or urine. Most people who ask how long fentanyl stays in the body are concerned about an upcoming drug test, but having these tests can also be beneficial in the event of an fentanyl overdose.
How Does Fentanyl Affect Your Body?
Because fentanyl is an opioid, it has a similar effect as other opioid analgesics. When a person ingests fentanyl, it binds to the body’s opioid receptors, which are found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotion. This causes feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and pain relief. Over time, however, the brain can adapt to fentanyl, making it difficult to experience positive emotions without the substance. This can lead to a cycle of dependence and addiction.
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your System?
The effects of fentanyl are usually felt for a few hours, but traces of the substance can be found in the body for a lot longer. Everyone has a different timeline, however. It all depends on how it was taken, how often it was taken, and individual characteristics such as age and weight. Generally speaking, the half-life of fentanyl is around three to seven hours. Half-life refers to the time it takes for a substance’s concentration to reduce to half of the original dose.
What Outside Influences Determine How Long Fentanyl Stays in Your System?
Let’s break down some of the main influences that determine how long fentanyl stays in your system:
- Metabolism rate. Age, genetics, and overall health impact how quickly your body can metabolize fentanyl. The faster your metabolism is, the quicker opioids will leave your system.
- Frequency and duration of use. People who use fentanyl regularly are likely to accumulate it in their body. This means that it will take longer for the substance to be completely eliminated.
- Dosage and administration route. Taking fentanyl by injection produces faster results, which means it will be metabolized faster as well. In addition, the more fentanyl you take, the longer it will take to leave your body.
- Liver and kidney function. When you have a healthy liver and kidneys, you can move substances through your body much faster. Impaired liver and kidneys can make this process slower.
In What Different Ways Can Fentanyl Be Absorbed through the Body?
Fentanyl can enter the body through inhalation, oral exposure or ingestion, or skin contact. Swallowing a pill or tablet causes the slowest onset of effects, with the high being felt in 20-30 minutes. Smoking or injecting the substance produces effects much faster, sometimes in as little as seconds. However, this also puts the person more at risk for respiratory depression and respiratory arrest.
It’s also possible to breathe in secondhand smoke or powder, though this is unlikely to cause overdose. Fentanyl can be absorbed by the skin, but there are no confirmed cases of overdose from touching fentanyl powder or pills. If you think you have touched fentanyl, wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Can a Drug Test Detect Fentanyl?
While it is possible to detect fentanyl in a drug test, it’s not as straightforward as testing for other substances. In October 2023, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter test to detect fentanyl in urine. However, these tests are designed for at-home use, such as for family members who want to know if their loved one is using fentanyl.
Blood Test
Blood tests can usually detect fentanyl for three to 12 hours after the initial use. Because fentanyl moves through the bloodstream relatively quickly, it can’t be detected via blood test for very long. However, these tests do have their purpose and are best used for assessing recent exposure and acute intoxication.
Hair Test
On average, hair tests can detect fentanyl for about three months or 90 days from the last use. This is the case because metabolites can remain in the hair follicles for several months or longer. Due to this long detection window, there has been a growing interest in hair follicle testing.
How Do I Get Fentanyl Out of My System Quickly?
Fentanyl is mostly metabolized by the liver, and its metabolites are excreted by the kidneys. There is no tried-and-true way to get fentanyl out of your system quickly. You must wait for it to be metabolized by the body, which can happen faster if you are in good health and don’t use fentanyl frequently. Fentanyl does leave the bloodstream relatively quickly, usually within a few hours, but it can last for up to 36 hours in saliva and three days or more in urine.
If someone is experiencing an overdose, however, there is a life-saving medication called naloxone that can be administered. While naloxone does not remove fentanyl from the body, it does reverse its effects by binding to the opioid receptors and blocking the effects of the substance. Naloxone is safe to use for all ages and won’t cause any harm, even if the person is not suffering an overdose.
What Happens if You Take Too Much Fentanyl?
If you take too much fentanyl, overdose can occur. Just two milligrams can be fatal. Some of the signs that you’ve taken too much fentanyl include a loss of consciousness, clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, and trouble breathing. Keep in mind that fentanyl is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. The only way to know it’s there is by testing for it. Even if you do test, you won’t know how much fentanyl is in the substance.
Get Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction in Prescott, AZ
Treatment options have developed over time in response to the opioid epidemic. The goal of fentanyl rehab is to help individuals overcome their opioid use disorder and lead a healthier life. Several medications have been approved to treat fentanyl use disorder, along with several behavioral therapies.
Buprenorphine is the gold standard for treating a fentanyl use disorder. It is approved by the FDA and works by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms..
Therapy is another important piece to the puzzle, as this gives individuals the opportunity to learn what led to substance use in the first place and how to better cope moving forward. Many people who experience substance use have trauma or a mental health condition they must work through. Therapy can help with this, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, which identifies negative thoughts that may be contributing to substance use disorders.
Wolf Creek Recovery is here for you when you need us. We provide a safe space for individuals to get to know themselves again and rebuild their lives. Our staff is in recovery as well, which means we will be working right alongside you! To start this life-changing journey, contact us today at 833-732-8202.
FAQs About Fentanyl Detection Time
How long can fentanyl be detected in the body?
Fentanyl can be detected in the hair for three months, but it can only be detected in blood, saliva, and urine for several hours or days.
How does fentanyl enter the body?
Fentanyl can be absorbed by the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Overdose is unlikely to occur from inhaling secondhand smoke or from touching it.
Do workplaces order fentanyl drug tests?
At this time, workplaces can only test for fentanyl on a case-by-case basis. It is not included in the revised urine Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs.
Can I get fentanyl out of my body quickly?
There is no fast way to get fentanyl out of your body; you must give your body time to metabolize it. However, if someone is experiencing an overdose, naloxone can reverse the effects.
