Saliva Drug Test | Drug Detection Times & What To Expect

Mouth swab drug tests work by taking a sample of oral fluid or saliva from the patient. This sample can then be analyzed for metabolites of common drugs of abuse. 

Oral testing can detect recent drug use for various types of drugs, including cannabis, amphetamines, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other substances.

The oral cavity can be a highly absorbent area, and substance concentrations may remain high in the mouth and gums shortly after ingestion. Average detection times for substance use in oral fluid is likely a maximum of 48 hours on average.

Oral fluid drug testing may be a preferred testing method by some professionals. Patients may be supervised closely while the test is performed. Compared to other forms of testing, oral drug tests may be less invasive and return more accurate results due to the reduced possibility of tampering.

Detection Times For Saliva Drug Tests

Depending on the drug that is tested for, the detection time for oral drug tests may be between 5 and 48 hours after the last use. The detection window may vary depending on the drug that is tested for.

By comparison, urine drug testing may have an average detection window of several days, while blood tests may have a similar detection window to saliva tests.

Saliva tests may have a cutoff window, where the amount of a drug detected must be at or above a certain threshold. This window can help testers distinguish between secondhand exposure and intentional use.

Alcohol

Many mouth swab tests won’t specifically test for alcohol. However, alcohol can be detected on a saliva test for about 10 to 24 hours after the last drink.

Marijuana

Marijuana, or its psychoactive ingredient THC, can be detected on a saliva test for 1 to 3 days after last use. However, depending on various factors, THC could be detected for up to 30 days later.

Barbiturates

The barbiturate drug class includes medications like amobarbital, pentobarbital, and butabarbital. Mouth swab tests may detect barbiturates for up to 3 days after last use.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can be detected in saliva for around 3 days in general, but it depends on the medication. Saliva detection times for popular benzodiazepines include:

• Ativan: about 8 hours
• Librium: 1 to 10 days
• Restoril: up to 1 day
• Valium: 1 to 10 days
• Xanax: about 24 hours

Opioids

Opioids may be a common substance that’s tested for on mouth swab tests, but the detection times vary based on the substance:

• codeine: about 4 days
• fentanyl: not detected in saliva
• heroin: about 2 days
• hydrocodone: about 3 days
• methadone: 1 to 10 days
• morphine: about 4 days
• oxycodone: about 4 days
• tramadol: about 2 days

Stimulants

As a common drug of abuse, stimulants may frequently be tested for on saliva tests. Mouth swab detection times for popular stimulants include:

• Adderall: about 2 days
• cocaine: about 2 days
• ecstasy (MDMA): around 10 hours
• methamphetamine: about 4 days
• Ritalin: about 3 days
• Vyvanse: about 3 days

Psychedelics

Mouth swab tests may be unlikely to test for psychedelics or hallucinogens, and many of these substances may require a specific type of test. However, general saliva detection times for common psychedelics include:

• DMT: between 4 and 12 hours
• ketamine: about 1 day
• LSD: around 16 hours
• PCP: about 3 days
• psilocybin mushrooms: not detected in saliva

The Process Of A Mouth Swab Drug Test

Patients may be advised to avoid eating food, drinking beverages, chewing gum, using mouthwash, or placing other objects in their mouth about 10 minutes before testing. Test results may be less accurate if objects are present in the mouth during the test.

A medical professional may be present to collect the saliva sample from the patient. The patient may be asked to remain still while the professional uses a collection swab on the inside of the cheek. The collection swab may have an absorbent pad or cotton wool covering to collect the fluid sample.

The process of a mouth swab test may only take several minutes. The patient’s saliva sample may be sent to a lab for testing. The tested sample may return results in about 24 hours.

Factors That Affect Mouth Swab Drug Tests

Aside from the presence of food or other objects in the mouth, other factors may affect the accuracy of a mouth swab drug test.

Some studies have shown that exposure to THC in the air can result in a positive test for cannabis. Poppy seeds, a food that is extracted from the same plant as opioid drugs, can also change the results of a test.

Patients should inform the testing site of any medications they are taking before testing occurs. This can help separate drugs of abuse from approved drug use on test results.

Substance Abuse Treatment Options

A positive result on an oral drug screening test may be an indicator of substance abuse. If this result was returned as a part of workplace drug testing, you may also be referred to a treatment program for substance abuse.

Chronic substance abuse can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. It can be difficult to stop taking drugs even if your quality of life is declining, due to their habit-forming nature.

To see if our substance abuse healthcare options will work for you or your loved one, please contact Ark Behavioral Health today.