The ongoing DNA Legal series exploring the legal and personal consequences of drug misuse and drug testing for various substances has already looked at MDMA, ketamine, cocaine, cannabis, and more.
Our next segment looks at gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). GHB has legitimate medical uses prescribed under the name sodium oxybate (Xyrem) to treat excessive daytime drowsiness (narcolepsy) and can also treat alcohol misuse, substance withdrawal, and more.
Known on the streets as 'G' or 'liquid ecstasy' - GHB is a colourless oily liquid that produces feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and sometimes drowsiness. There's also the street drug gammabutyrolactone (GBL), which is identical but is used as a stain, rust, and superglue remover. It's also a paint remover. There's such a fine line between 'safe' use and overdose - there's a small margin between a dose producing the desired effect or causing an overdose.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, GHB is a Class B drug, making it illegal to possess, supply or produce. Possession of GHB can result in up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine (or both). Supplying or producing GHB can result in a life imprisonment term and an unlimited fine.
Until its reclassification in 2022, GHB was a Class C drug.
Short and long-term misuse can and will have serious personal implications.
Read on to learn more.
Will GHB show on a drug test, and how long will it stay in your system?
Yes, GHB can be detected in a drug test. Like some of the drugs we've included in our ongoing series, standard 5 and 10-panel drug tests won't detect GHB misuse. Specific court-ordered tests, however, will detect GHB misuse.
The issue legal and healthcare professionals face is GHB rapidly metabolises with a half-life of only 30-60 minutes. About 50% is from the body within 60 minutes, and within 1.83-5.5 hours (depending on the dose), the drug is completely eliminated. Detection in legal scenarios is somewhat more complicated than other drugs in the DNA Legal series. Another issue is that combining the drug with alcohol speeds up how rapidly the drug metabolises in the body - most people misusing GHB mix it with alcohol.
What types of methods are available for GHB testing?
Despite having a rapid half-life and shorter detection windows, there are still all the standard methods of drug testing available for GHB. The issue legal and healthcare professionals have is the timing of the testing compared to consumption - they almost must be in tandem with each other to detect misuse.
Still, several court-ordered and GHB-specific drug tests will detect misuse within set timeframes:
Urine Test
GHB is detectable in urine for up to 12 hours after ingestion and is most detectable four hours after consumption.
Blood Test
Blood tests are one of the most effective testing methods for GHB misuse, being detectable for up to 72 hours. Legal and healthcare professionals should note that concentration and detectable levels peak in the bloodstream roughly 30 minutes after consumption, but metabolites remain in the system. For an ongoing court case like a child custody case, blood tests might not be as effective. It's more effective closer to the time of an offense like at the roadside.
Saliva Test
A saliva test is less reliable than a court-ordered blood or urine test and the presence of GHB in the saliva is short-lived. GHB traces are most detectable on saliva tests within 10 minutes of consumption and can remain detectable for up to 6 hours - it depends on the brand of saliva test and how much is consumed.
Hair Test
Hair testing is the most reliable test for detecting most drugs. For GHB, hair testing is the most reliable method. The hair is cut into 0.5cm segments and you look for a spoke in GHB in one segment as GHB naturally occurs in the hair. Most incidents of GHB are detected through hair testing. If a court includes a hair drug test as part of its proceedings, the detection window is up to 90 days.
Fingernail Test
A fingernail drug test for GHB is the same as a hair test - there's nothing reliable on the market that would be suitable for legal proceedings.
What factors influence GHB detection?
Several factors that will influence how detectable GHB is and how long for:
- Amount consumed
- Individual metabolism
- How it's taken
- Whether it was combined with alcohol
- An individual's overall health
- Time of consumption
Why might a court-ordered GHB test be necessary?
A court can order a GHB drug test if they think an individual is misusing the drug and it will support a legal case like an ongoing child custody case.
Misuse of GHB would indicate that an individual isn't fit to be a child's caregiver and that the welfare of a child is at risk. Ongoing misuse of GHB is rarer than other drugs, but short-term drug misuse has just as many personal and legal implications as long-term.
What happens if a GHB test comes back positive?
There are serious legal and personal implications if a GHB test comes back positive. We've already included the potential jail time and fines associated with possessing, selling, or supplying a class B drug, but the personal implications are equally as devastating.
Sticking with the example of a child custody case, a positive GHB test could result in reduced visitation rights or the total removal of visitation rights.
In some cases there are expectations. If an individual agrees to join a drug rehabilitation programme, for example, the legal consequences can be reduced.
How DNA Legal can help
DNA Legal has years of experience in providing accurate, court-approved drug testing. We can assist legal professionals and individuals with drug testing as part of an ongoing court case.
We understand drug tests can be stressful, so our team of professionals is here to help however is required.
GHB drug misuse is common in the UK. It has serious personal and legal implications that aren't to be underestimated. Whatever your requirements for GHB drug testing, DNA Legal is here to help.