How Long Does Vicodin Stay in Your System?
To relieve their moderate-to-severe pain, some people take the prescription medication Vicodin. This drug combines the opioid hydrocodone and the painkiller acetaminophen, two substances that are also used to form Norco and other prescription medications.
Given that Vicodin is a powerful drug intended for specific purposes, people might wonder how long does Vicodin stay in the system. In addition, since it’s a painkilling drug, they might wonder how long does Vicodin last before the effects of the drug fade and their pain returns.
One way to determine the lasting power of a drug is by discussing its half-life. A drug’s half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of a drug to leave a person’s body.
Vicodin’s half-life is 3.4 to 8.8 days, meaning that it takes about 6.8 to 17.6 days for Vicodin to leave a person’s system completely.
How Long Is Vicodin Detectable in Urine?
If people are addicted to Vicodin, they could be wondering if screening tools can detect the presence of the medication. If so, people might wonder how long does Vicodin stay in your urine.
Does Vicodin show up in a drug test? Yes. Screening tools can determine the presence of Vicodin through urine testing (urinalysis) and other means. For example, Vicodin drug tests can find Vicodin in the:
- Blood for up to a day (24 hours).
- Saliva for up to two days (48 hours).
- Urine for up to four days (96 hours).
- Hair for up to three months (90 days).
Vicodin drug test detection time thus varies according to the sample materials being tested.
What Is the Scope of Vicodin Use and Abuse?
Drug tests can determine the presence of Vicodin. Such screening tools can be a useful way to determine if someone is using or abusing Vicodin or another substance.
Such Vicodin use and misuse are common. According to the 2020 Monitoring the Future Study, 1.2 percent of U.S. twelfth graders reported that they used Vicodin in the previous year. Many adults have also used the drug. Some have misused it and have become hooked on it.
But even if they have problems with Vicodin, people can find assistance. Experienced addiction treatment centers and programs can help people address Vicodin-related issues and other issues.
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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.
