How Long Does OxyContin Stay in Your System?

OxyContin, with the generic name oxycodone, is a type of narcotic that helps in pain management. If you are about to take OxyContin drug tests, you may be wondering about detection times and how long the substance stays in the body. Understand the OxyContin half-life, drug detection times, signs of drug abuse, and other information on how to get help for addiction.

Last Edited:

03/28/2022

People who are recovering after surgery, childbirth, or suffering from chronic may be prescribed OxyContin for pain management. OxyContin contains the drug oxycodone, which is a controlled substance recognized for alleviating the symptoms of moderate to severe pain. Despite its effectiveness for managing pain, label warnings are in place to remind individuals to take the drug as prescribed as OxyContin is habit-forming.

This is one of the primary reasons why detecting OxyContin is commonly a part of formal drug tests. If you are about to take a drug test, you may probably wonder how long does OxyContin stay in your system. Below, you will find a list of the average OxyContin drug test detection time, factors that affect drug metabolism, and how to get help for a potential substance use disorder problem.

Does OxyContin Show Up In A Drug Test?

OxyContin is one of the drugs that are detected in standard tests. Whether it’s for employment purposes, getting formal documents, or applying for roles where you have to establish a clean bill of health and personal background, there is a wide range of drugs, including OxyContin that you will be tested for upon your intake.

Nevertheless, there is a specific timeline where OxyContin is detectable in urine, saliva, blood, hair, and skin. The detection time depends on the type of test administered to you. Below, you will see the average detection times for OxyContin based on the sample extracted from you.

How Long Does OxyContin Stay In System?

The drug is detected in various timelines depending on what sample is taken from you. Below are the average timelines:

How long is OxyContin detectable in urine and blood?

OxyContin lasts in urine and blood for a maximum of four days. Those who metabolize faster may not have OxyContin in their urine and blood within one day, but this all depends on the dosage, physical factors, and extent of use. If you are wondering about how long does OxyContin stay in your urine and blood, you may want to take the test 4-5 days after your last use to yield a negative result.

How long is OxyContin detectable in saliva?

The typical drug detection of OxyContin in the saliva is within 2 days. If you need to yield a negative result, you may want to wait 2-3 days since your last use before taking a saliva test.

How long is OxyContin detectable in skin and hair?

It can take longer for the body to rid of OxyContin from skin and hair since deposits can accumulate over time. Thus, drug detection timelines for skin and hair can last up to 90 days. Having a negative result means you have to wait 3 or more months to take up the test since your last use.

Factors That Affect Drug Metabolism

The timelines shown above are just the averages for people who don’t have any other notable factors in drug metabolism. However, there are still things that can affect how a person processes OxyContin in their body, and you can see such factors below:

  • Height and weight: Those who are lighter and taller may tend to process the drug faster. Increased weight and shorter height are attributed to slower drug processing bodily mechanisms.
  • Age: Older people are more likely to process the drug slower than their younger counterparts. In such situations, the averages may not apply to them.
  • Health conditions: Metabolic disorders, liver problems, kidney problems, and other health issues can also affect and slow down drug processing.
  • Other medications: Some medications can hasten or slow down the metabolism of OxyContin.

Putting these factors in mind, it is also crucial to know that some drug detection averages may not apply if you have these characteristics that affect the processing of OxyContin.

Signs of OxyContin Abuse

Although your primary concern may be about getting a negative result in a drug test for OxyContin, it is also important to recognize potential signs of abuse in yourself or a loved one. OxyContin abuse is a life-threatening condition that can negatively affect all areas of your life. In cases of overdose, it can also lead to death. Moving past drug detection, it is also essential to be aware of the signs of OxyContin abuse:

  • Mood swings
  • Extreme bouts of happiness (euphoria)
  • Memory issues
  • Poor decision-making
  • Intense cravings for the drug
  • Taking the drug for other purposes than originally intended
  • Drowsiness
  • Agitation when the drug is not taken
  • Increased dosage and frequency over time
  • Mental health problems

If you notice these signs of OxyContin abuse, it is best to get help as soon as possible.

How To Get Help For OxyContin Abuse

It may be overwhelming to know what first steps you should take when getting help for OxyContin abuse, but it is actually easier than what you can expect. Many rehab centers will place no obligation when you inquire or verify your insurance, so you can simply follow the steps below to get help as soon as possible.

Reach out to a trusted, high-quality rehab center

The first step you can take is to find a trusted rehab center that can help you in finding treatment options that suit your needs. A rehab center is a great resource to ask questions regarding what you can expect in addiction treatment, how to finance your rehab stay, and other information you may need.

Let concerned loved ones know about your desire to recover

Some people may be aware of your addiction and some are not. This may be the perfect time to build a strong community of accountability while getting different kinds of support as you seek addiction treatment.

Joining local groups

Even if you don’t have the resources to start addiction treatment right away, you can still join some local groups to get support in your addiction recovery journey. Joining local Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and other free options can also be a great form of support as you gather enough resources to start a formal rehab.

OxyContin Drug Detection, Abuse, and Recovery

If you are trying to find out drug detection times to pass a test, but have underlying issues on OxyContin abuse, now may be the perfect time to take that first step towards recovery. Although it takes commitment, addiction recovery is something that can lead you way past just trying to pass a drug test towards a better life.

Sources

  1. Medlineplus.gov – “Oxycodone”.
  2. Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – “Aging, basal metabolic rate, and nutrition”.
  3. Na.org – “Narcotics Anonymous”.

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.

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