This part of the DNA Legal series will assess the legal consequences of drug abuse and court-ordered drug testing. Earlier articles have covered tests for misuse of tramadol, benzodiazepine, and amphetamine as well as their legal implications.
Methadone is a synthetic opioid analgesic used in the management of heroin addiction – it mimics heroin.
Methadone changes the way the brain and nervous system react to pain. It helps suppress the agony of heroin withdrawal symptoms and eases craving. It must be prescribed and should not be available otherwise.
By the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), methadone is classified as a class A drug. Commonly, it's abused and sold unlawfully, which if found in possession could lead to a maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine. Supplying or producing this substance without prescription may result in a life imprisonment term with no upper limit on the fine.
Will Methadone Show on a Drug Test?
Yes, methadone will appear on drug tests; however, not all regular tests can detect it. A court-directed test will ask for methadone-specific tests to confirm misuse. The chemical composition of methadone is unique, unlike other opiates or opioids, thus requiring a different detection method.
How Long Will Methadone Stay in Your System?
Methadone can cause users to feel drowsy, relaxed, or euphoric - similar to the opiate that it aims to help people withdraw from, but with less intensity. The duration it stays in different body systems varies:
| Body System | Time in System |
|---|---|
| Urine | Up to 7 days |
| Blood | Up to 36 hours |
| Saliva | Up to 10 days |
| Fingernails | From 3 to 6 months |
| Hair | Up to 90 days |
Note: Detection times can vary depending on numerous factors discussed below.
What Tests Will Detect Methadone?
Legal professionals and healthcare professionals can use multiple and specific tests to detect methadone use, all mentioned above. How they detect methadone and how long it takes varies.
Blood Test: Up to 36 Hours
A blood test is highly accurate, but its effectiveness is short-lived. Blood tests will detect methadone use pretty much instantly after ingestion, but only for up to 36 hours depending dose taken, individual metabolism, etc. It's most common to use this test at the time of an offence rather than for an ongoing court case like a child custody dispute. for detecting methadone shortly after ingestion. This test is typically used in situations requiring immediate results, such as in the event of an accident or suspected recent use.
Urine Test: Up to 7 Days
Urine tests are one of the most common options for a court-ordered drug test. It has a relatively long detection window compared to other methods, like a blood test. Detection is possible 24 hours after use and for up to 7 days. It's common for a urine test to be used in a court case alongside other detection methods with an even longer window, like hair drug testing.
Rapid Saliva Test: Within 1-10 Days
Unlike some rapid saliva tests which have a short detection window, the methadone saliva tests can detect use 10 minutes after ingestion and for up to 10 days. A rapid saliva test wouldn't always be suitable for an ongoing court case, but with methadone, it definitely is. They're less invasive, expensive, more accurate, and easy to perform.
Fingernail Test: Between 3 to 6 Months
Fingernail tests for methadone are like any other - methadone enters the bloodstream, metabolises, and locks into the keratine fibres of fingernails. The long window for detection makes it perfect for an ongoing court case, giving legal professionals a picture of when methadone was consumed.
Hair Test: Up to 90 Days
Hair tests have the longest detection window and are the most accurate. Similar to fingernails, methadone metabolites in the blood and binds to keratin fibres in the hair. Methadone hair tests will detect use after 7-10 days and stay visible for up to 90 days. There's a more accurate picture because each centimetre of hair represents approximately one month of use, so you can estimate when use started/stopped.
What Factors Influence Methadone Detection?
Multiple factors will influence methadone detection times:
- Frequency of use
- Amount consumed
- Metabolism
- Age
- Overall health
These variables can cause significant differences in how long methadone remains detectable in the body.
Why Might a Court-Ordered Methadone Test Be Necessary?
It's common for legal and healthcare professionals to order a methadone drug test in the following situations:
- Child custody cases: Ongoing methadone misuse brings into question the safety and welfare of children.
- Probation: It's common for offenders to need to remain drug-free and to prove they're drug-free as part of a probation rehabilitation process if their original offence included drug misuse.
What Happens if a Methadone Test Comes Back Positive?
A positive methadone test can and will have serious legal and personal implications. We've already touched on the potential jail sentences and fines in the introduction. Some of the more specific implications include:
- Child custody cases: A positive result could impact visitation rights and supervised visits, and result in a court-ordered cessation of visits altogether, supervised or not.
- Probation: It's common for people to legally take methadone as part of a court-ordered probation alongside rehabilitation - illegal use creates more legal action and potential jail sentences.
How DNA Legal Can Help
DNA Legal has almost 20 years of experience helping individuals with the drug testing process - our trained professionals are on hand to assist with the drug testing process.
We know it's stressful to go through the drug testing process, so we're here to help and guide you through it all