Drug testing for methadone is uncommon, but methadone can be detected if specifically requested on a urine screen and on all other types of drug screens.
For those reading this worried about an upcoming drug test that specifically tests for illicit methadone, getting into a methadone program can help your case. (And, it might help you quit illicit drug use for good too).
In This Article
Does Methadone Show Up On A Drug Test?
Although methadone is a synthetic opioid, its structure is distinct enough to not show up in standard urine drug tests or even 7-panel tests for opiates such as morphine and heroin.
Methadone must be specifically included on a drug test to show up.
Methadone is most often tested for in a secondary drug screen if a standard screen comes back negative and proving drug use is important.
Employment Drug Screens
Methadone would NOT be included on a standard employment drug test unless the job requires the operation of heavy machinery or driving or the employer is the military or the Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Criminal, Probation or Legal Drug Screens
Methadone may be included on a secondary drug screen in legal settings if nothing flags on a standard drug screen or if methadone is specifically identified as an issue.
For example, if a spouse knows about illicit methadone use and attempts to show character or safety issues in a custody case. Or, possibly in cases of DUI, where it depends on whether the medication affecting driving and if taken as prescribed.
Addiction Treatment Drug Screens
Inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment centers should test for methadone. This can impact your detox plan or yield consequences in an abstinence-based treatment program. (Here, we work with patients even if illicit methadone use is flagged).
Newborn Drug Screens
Methadone is included on a newborn toxicology report. (See also drug testing during pregnancy).
All drug test types can detect methadone use if methadone is specifically tested for (urine, hair, saliva and blood).
What Type of Drug Tests Can Detect Methadone?
- Most drug testing is done through urine screens since it’s easy, cheap and non-invasive.
- Hair tests are used when past methadone use is in question, since these tests can detect use even if methadone hasn’t been used for months.
- Saliva testing is used mostly for scientific research. It can also be an option for methadone testing, but urine tests will pick up methadone use longer than a saliva test.
- Blood tests are rarely used as a methadone test because of the cost, invasiveness and shorter window of detection.
How Long Does Methadone Stay in Your System?
Methadone can be detected within 30 minutes of dosing and remains detectable for at least several days or even up to several months, depending on the testing type.
Drug Testing Windows for Methadone
| Test Type | Time Detectable |
| Urine | 2-12 Days |
| Hair | Several Months |
| Saliva | Several Days |
| Blood | Several Days |
How fast methadone can process through the body depends on both the usage of methadone and the individual’s body functions. For opioid-dependent patients, it can take 11-18 days to completely eliminate methadone. For chronic pain patients, it could be even longer, up to 28 days. Methadone can remain in the system, but not be detectable on a drug test.
Methadone Detection By Drug Test Type
How long does methadone stay in urine?
On average, it takes 7-8 days after stopping methadone for it to completely leave the body, but it could be as little as 2 days or take up to 12 days to become undetectable on a drug screen.
Most methadone is removed from the body in the urine, smaller amounts are eliminated through feces and sweat. With methadone maintenance, the medication can accumulate in tissues and fat cells, which is why it may still be detected for almost two weeks, long after the effects have worn off.
Methadone is thought to be detectable in a urine drug test within an hour of dosing.
How long will methadone show on a hair test?
Hair tests are the best option to see whether someone has used methadone over a longer period. It can take days or even weeks for methadone to accumulate in the hair, but a hair test can detect methadone for up to several months after the use.
How long does methadone stay in your system for saliva tests?
Saliva tests aren’t very common but can detect methadone use 30 minutes after dosing and for several days after. Levels of methadone in the blood are highest within four hours of dosing. (Urine tests detect methadone for a longer window).
How long does methadone stay in your system for blood tests?
Blood tests are rare and share a similar testing window as saliva tests. Both tests detect only several days back, while a urine test can detect methadone even if stopped over a week prior.
Factors For How Fast Methadone Can Be Processed
These factors are why there isn’t one single answer to how long it takes methadone to process through someone’s body and account for the faster and longer end of the ranges above.
- High dosing / using for a long time: The more methadone you take and the longer you take it, the more medication that will be stored in your body.
- Split dosing / chronic pain dosing: Taking more than one dose a day resets the half-life of methadone and allows the body to store more of the medication.
- Lower generic metabolism / being older: Your CYP450 enzymes control how quickly your liver can process and will impact how quickly methadone will be excreted. Regardless of genetics, metabolism slows as with age, especially those 65+.
- Liver disease / taking other drugs or alcohol: Liver processing is slowed by liver disease or by the use of other drugs, medications or alcohol that the liver has to process at the same time. The slower the liver processes, the slow methadone will be cleared.
- Higher body fat: Methadone accumulates in fat tissues, so those with less fat cells store less methadone in their body and clear it faster.
- High alkalinity in urine: Studies show those with highly acidic urine tend to clear methadone faster. ⓘ
- Not pregnant: Pregnant women have been shown to excrete methadone faster. ⓘ
How to Clear Methadone from Your System Faster
Though the tips below show evidence of slightly speeding up the process, time is the only full-proof way to clear methadone out of your system.
1. Eat Specific Foods
Studies show acidic urine clears methadone faster. You can make your urine more acidic by avoiding citrus fruits and dairy and instead eating more protein, cranberries, plums and prunes. Cranberry juice with added vitamin c can be especially helpful.
Since methadone is stored in fat cells, avoiding foods high in fat is recommended as a healthy choice anyway.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
Dehydration can cause methadone to be reabsorbed instead of eliminated in the urine, so be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
3. Get Exercise
Cardio exercise speeds up metabolism, burns fat and increases blood flow to the liver, which can all help clear methadone a bit faster.
What About "Cleansing" Products?
There are drugs known to speed up metabolism, which may also speed up the elimination of methadone.
St. John’s Wort is one over-the-counter example. While it is generally thought to be safe for most people to take this supplement for up to 12 weeks, it is unlikely to have a noticeable effect on methadone clearance and can interact with medications like antidepressants and birth control.ⓘ
- Be leery of all “quick fix” products as these are unregulated and almost always a scam. In fact, adding substances for your organs to process can slow down how fast the body can process and eliminate the methadone.
What Happens If You Fail A Drug Test At A Methadone Clinic?
What happens if you test positive for other opioids during maintenance at a methadone clinic depends on the clinic. Patients may get kicked out, though clinics should always help in transferring or tapering off methadone before discharging a patient.
At Symetria, we work with patients. If at the beginning we can help patients cut back on their use or stop IV use, that’s still a step forward.
If you’re interested in a methadone program that meets you where you’re at, we have locations across Illinois and Texas.
Ready for a Methadone Program?
18 Comments
I have been on methadone since July of 2020. I have never went over 47 mg and have been tapering finally since July of this year 2023. I am currently at 20 mg. I have tried to get off this for a while but dr would never sign off on it. I am thinking of quitting cold turkey off this 20 mg this week my last dose is on Tuesday. I get take homes. How bad do you think I will withdrawal I’m scared but don’t want to miss an opportunity at work and need to pass DOT physical
My name is Debbi. I’m currently on methadone . I was getting 20 take homes due to my clean urines over time. I’m on a low dose . My last drug test was negative for methadone so they took my take homes. I now have to go to the methadone clinic every day to get dosed when I was only having to go every 20 days. I take my methadone every day & I can’t understand why the drug test for methadone was negative. Any input my situation?
How do clinics check to see if your taking your methadone
Is there a certain marker called metabolite maybe?
I have been on methodone for 10 years and recently took a urine test that came back with no methodone in the urine test is that possible
Why is my methadone not showing up on my drug screens? I’m in danger of losing my take home doses. I take 50mg a day but it hasn’t showed up in my past 3 drug screens.