1. DETECTION TIMES
Drug tests detect drugs as well as metabolites. Metabolites are the byproducts of a substance after it has run through your system. To determine whether you will pass or not, it is important to know how much of the illicit metabolites are in your urine and how much is tested for. Table 1.2 will give you an approximation; however, it varies depending on a number of factors. Testing method and levels tested for are major factors.
1.1 Halflife of TetraHydraCannabinol: The halflife of THC concentration ranges between 0.8 to 9.8 days. There is too much human variation to even approximate how long THC will be detected in the urine of an individual. Infrequent users with a fast metabolism will have the shortest detection time. Frequent users with a slow metabolism will have long detection times. The only way to estimate a detection time is to consider the lower and upper bounds (3-30 days), and decide based on the factors I've mentioned.
1.2 Detection times of several drugs.
[TABLE 1.2]
Drug Approximate Detection Time in Urine using EMIT
- ----------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Amphetamines -- 2-4 days
Barbituates
Short-Acting (ie. secobarbital) -- 1 day
Long-Acting (ie. phenobarbital) -- 2-3 weeks
Benzodiazepines -- 3-7 days
Cannabinoids -- 3-30 days
Clenbuterol [PE] -- 2-4 days [F1]
Cocaine -- 2-4 days
Codeine -- 2-5 days
Euphorics (MDMA,psilocybin) -- 1-3 days [F2]
LSD -- 1-4 days [F6]
Methadone -- 3-5 days
Methaqualone -- 14 days
Nicotine -- ? [F5]
Opiates -- 2-4 days
Peptide hormones [PE] -- undetectable
Phencyclidine (PCP) -- 2-4 days [F4]
Phenobarbital -- 10-20 days
Propoxyphene -- 6 hours to 2 days
Steroids (anabolic) [PE]
oral: 14 days [F3]
parenterally: 1 month [F3]
Key:
[PE] Performance Enhancers
[F1] 0.5 ng/mL by GC/MS
[F2] By RIA and GC/MS only. Not Detectable by EMIT.
[F3] By HPLC, RIA, and GC/MS. Not Detectable by EMIT.
[F4] 8-14 days as was reported in earlier versions and was incorrect.
[F5] No data available yet. I expect the detection time to be long because
nicotine is fat soluble.
[F6] Detectable by EMIT and RIA, but rarely tested. A lab will only test for
LSD when specifically requested.
Note: Detection times vary depending on analytical method used, drug
metabolism, tolerance, patient's condition, fluid intake and method and
frequency of ingestion. These are general guidelines only.
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Try to call in sick on test day to delay one more day if possible; it will help.
Other factors determining degree of intoxication include metabolism, tolerance, frequency of intake, fluid intake, amount of marijuana, potency of marijuana, and length of time you've been a user. If you use marijuana on rare occasions, your urine may be clean of metabolites in less than a week. There is a common and strange phenomena that occurs with chronic users. You would expect a chronic user to have the longest detection time and the smallest chance of passing. This is not always the case. A chronic user with a high tolerance will eliminate drugs quicker than an occasional user. Chronic users have tested negative after a week long binge. Lipid tissue also makes a huge difference. Skinny users not only have a faster metabolism (usually), but also lack storage for THC metabolites. Fat will cause a lag in excretion pattern, and lead to a longer detection time. You should now be able to understand why an individuals detection time for THC is so unpredictable. Please don't post or e-mail a question "how long will it take..." This is the single most frequently asked question. Many people can't even begin to estimate a detection for their own bodys, let alone the unseen, unknown body of a lost internet explorer.
