How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System?

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, lab-made (synthetic) stimulant. The drug is often sold on the street in powdered form or a more purified crystalline form intended for smoking (“crystal meth”).

This page will provide answers to some questions about how long meth is detectable through urine and saliva tests, as well as information on addiction treatment and resources for drug detox and rehab.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System?

The length of time meth stays in a person’s system can vary greatly, because each body’s physiological makeup is different. On average, methamphetamine may be detectable in a person’s system for 2–3 days after use, and possibly longer for chronic users.1

If you’re worried about passing a drug test, you may need to consider whether your drug use is problematic enough to warrant professional recovery treatment.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Urine?

Image of two people sitting at a desk, one is handing the other a cup for a urine test.

Traces of meth may stay in a person’s urine for approximately 2–3 days after use.1

Research suggests that about 70% of a dose is eliminated in the urine within 24 hours. However, with chronic use, meth can build up in a person’s system and may be detectable in urine for up to 7 days.2

Note that these time frames can vary depending on several factors.

How Long Does Meth Stay in Saliva?

Some studies show that a saliva test may only detect a moderate concentration  of meth within the first 24 hours of use.3

Factors That Influence How Long Meth Stays in Your System

While various factors can influence how long meth stays in your system, the only way to ensure a negative drug test is to abstain from using meth and other substances.

Factors that may impact meth’s concentration levels and effects include:1,4

  • Route of administration (how it’s taken).
  • Frequency and duration of use.
  • Dosage.
  • Purity of the drug.
  • Metabolism.

The variables above make it exceedingly difficult to gauge exactly how long meth will stay in a person’s system.

Meth Half-Life

The half-life of meth is about 11–12 hours. This means that the body can generally eliminate about half a dose of meth in the urine within 11–12 hours.4,5

By comparison, the body can eliminate about half a dose of cocaine within 1 hour, meaning that cocaine has a much faster rate of elimination from the body (i.e., shorter half-life) than meth.4,6

How Long Do the Effects of Meth Last

The effects of meth may last for several minutes to several hours depending on the route of administration.2

When meth is smoked or injected, the euphoric effects or “high” are typically felt immediately and last for several minutes. In this case, the effects wear off quickly, which is sometimes called a “crash” or meth comedown and can drive people to use meth in a binge pattern.2,7

When meth is snorted or swallowed, it can take about 5 to 20 minutes for the effects to peak, and they usually last 8 to 12 hours.2

Although a person may not be feeling high anymore, the drug is likely still in their system and can stay in their system for several days or longer.

Get Help for Meth Addiction in Mississippi

Seeking treatment for meth addiction can help a person find hope and recovery. Leading-edge, evidence-based facilities like our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab center in Mississippi offer various types of addiction treatment and tailor each person’s course of treatment to their individual needs.

At Oxford, our levels of care include:

It’s never too late to reach out for support. If you or someone you love is struggling with meth addiction and unsure where to turn, call us today at . Our admissions navigators are available around the clock to answer questions about the treatment admissions process, paying for rehab, and more.

To get started, fill out the form below to verify your health insurance coverage for rehab.

The consequences of drug addiction can be serious, but it is possible to heal. We are here to help you take the first step and every other step along the way.

Was this page helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Your feedback is important to us and will be used to improve the quality of our articles. Please do not use this form as a contact form or input personal information.
If you are in crisis or need immediate help dial 9-1-1. Or if you are interested in entering treatment and want to know more, call us at 662-638-0015
Helpline Information
for immediate assistance.
(0/100)
While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we'll use this information to improve our content. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and need help, call us at 662-638-0015
Helpline Information
for immediate assistance.
The Price of Not Getting Help
When contemplating the costs of addiction treatment for yourself, child, or loved one, consider the costs, or consequences, of “things as they are now.” What would happen if the substance abuse or addiction continued? Rehab doesn't have to be expensive. We accept a variety of insurances. Learn more below.