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How Long Does Methadone Remain In The System For A Urine Test?

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Posted on Wed, 18 May 2016
Question: Benn on MS COntin by pain specialist. Began drinking and went to 5 day detox. They gave me 20mg methadone fri, 15, sat, 10 sun, 5, Monday. Have to give urine to pain doc tomorrow morning. will methadone show?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Methadone will typically stay in the system for around 3 days (72 hours). If your last dose was Monday, it may show up in the urine Thursday (tomorrow). However, it may not, as it may fall barely outside of the typical 72 hour window. This window can be a little more or a little less because everyone's metabolism is different, and since your appointment falls exactly on the 3rd day, it will be impossible to say for sure. However, your pain doctor should not have a problem with this, as you will be telling him/her about the detox and methadone anyway.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (27 minutes later)
But if I tell him I went to an alcohol detox, he may then terminate me. Also, the detox gave me valium instead of clonipin. Is the urine test gonna show the detail, or just says positive for benzos?...I was gonna tell him I went to the hospital for depression and anxiety, and they substituted methadone for MS contin, and valium for clonipin, but he may tell me to sign a release and inquire, then find out I was there for alcohol and kick me out. My body needs these meds for chronic pain, and my brain is so used to them I cant go the PAWS. I don't know what to do. Tell him the truth, or lie with the possibility he may inquire further.

You really think I should be honest and tell him I went to an alcohol detox?. Won't he have to terminate me then?. He's the only doctor in my area that prescribes pain meds. The rest want to do injections, and they don't work for me, and theyre expensive, and they don't help my low dopamine levels.

He's the only one that will prescribe pain meds in my entire area... I did stop using alcohol and plan to stay stopped, and will, but if I tell him I went to a detox for alcohol, I'll probably lose him, end up with a chronic pain problem again, and have very low dopamine (PAWS), and that lasts longer than I can bear.
Please try to answer me back with what to do tonight. I'm getting up early tomorrow to drink a lot of water and cranberry juice as I have been doing today. I never abuse my meds. I had only abused alcohol for a month or so.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
The urine will show "benzos", not Valium or Klonopin.

If you are using alcohol or drugs that your doctor does not know about, then your doctor is putting you at risk of seizure and death by prescribing on top of that. Of course you need to tell him. Once you are ready to stop abusing alcohol, then you can at that point re-initiate care with a provider to prescribe you medications safely.

Until then, you are putting your health at serious risk. Lying to doctors is very dangerous, especially with medications like this that can result in seizures and death, and I highly recommend you tell him.



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,

For your health, to avoid risk of seizures and death, you need to tell your provider the truth, and take responsibility for your decision to abuse alcohol. If you did not want to lose this doctor, you should not have made the decision to drink alcohol. Sorry to say that there is nothing you can do at this time to change the results of your urine test (water and cranberry juice will not change anything). It is up to you, but lying may have serious health consequences.


Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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How Long Does Methadone Remain In The System For A Urine Test?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. Methadone will typically stay in the system for around 3 days (72 hours). If your last dose was Monday, it may show up in the urine Thursday (tomorrow). However, it may not, as it may fall barely outside of the typical 72 hour window. This window can be a little more or a little less because everyone's metabolism is different, and since your appointment falls exactly on the 3rd day, it will be impossible to say for sure. However, your pain doctor should not have a problem with this, as you will be telling him/her about the detox and methadone anyway. Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers