About This Article
Zoom Testing has over 20 years’ experience supplying drug testing kits and providing practical drug testing guidance. This article explains opiate drug test cut-off levels for urine and saliva testing and why the cut-off can vary according to the test and testing standard being used.
Published: January 2018 | Last Updated: 3 September 2026 | By: Anthony Cunningham
In this article, we examine the cut-off levels of urine and saliva drug tests for opiates.
Contents
- What Are Opiates?
- What Are Drug Test Cut-Off Levels?
- Establishing Cut-Off Levels
- Drug Test Cut-Off Levels for Opiates
- Cut-Off Levels for Urine Drug Tests for Opiates
- Cut-Off Levels for Saliva Drug Tests for Opiates
- In Conclusion
What Are Opiates?
Opiates are naturally occurring drugs derived from the opium poppy, including morphine and codeine. The broader term opioids also includes semi-synthetic drugs such as heroin, hydrocodone, hydromorphone and oxycodone.
One of the most commonly abused opioids is heroin (diacetylmorphine). Heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid made from morphine.
Heroin is highly addictive and can lead to serious health problems, including overdose and death. When heroin is injected, it enters the bloodstream quickly, causing an intense rush of pleasure and euphoria. However, the effects of heroin are short-lived, and users may feel withdrawal symptoms after the drug has worn off. As a result, they may feel compelled to use larger amounts of the drug, which can lead to dependence and addiction.
What Are Drug Test Cut-Off Levels?
One of the most important aspects of a drug test is the cut-off level. The cut-off level is a predetermined concentration used to determine whether a screening result is considered negative or non-negative. Results at or above the specified cut-off may require confirmation depending on the type and purpose of the test.
The reason for using a cut-off is to provide a defined threshold for interpreting the test and to reduce the likelihood that very small concentrations caused by factors other than drug use produce a non-negative screening result.
The concentration of a drug is measured in nanograms per millilitre, written as ng/mL. A nanogram is a billionth of a gram, so only a very small concentration may be required for a drug test to produce a result.
Workplace drug-testing cut-off levels vary according to the testing standard being followed. In Europe, the European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS) publishes recommended cut-off concentrations for workplace drug testing. These can differ from the cut-offs used in US federal workplace testing under Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) guidelines.
Cut-off levels can also vary depending on the drug being tested for, the type of sample being tested, such as urine or oral fluid, and the particular test or laboratory method being used. For this reason, the specification of the individual drug test should always be checked.
Establishing Cut-Off Levels
Drug test cut-offs are set to provide a practical threshold for detecting a drug or its metabolites while helping to minimise the risk of misleading screening results. The cut-off also influences the period during which a drug may be detectable.
Cut-off levels can vary according to the drug or metabolite being tested for and the type of sample being analysed. Different drugs are metabolised and eliminated from the body at different rates, while individual tests may also have different sensitivity levels.
Drug Test Cut-Off Levels for Opiates
Cut-off levels vary depending on the specific test and testing standard. Two of the most widely used sample types for workplace and general drug screening are urine and saliva, also known as oral fluid.
The cut-off used by an individual test should therefore be checked rather than assuming that every opiate drug test uses the same threshold.
Cut-Off Levels for Urine Drug Tests for Opiates
The EWDTS guidelines include maximum recommended confirmation cut-offs of 300 ng/mL for morphine and codeine in urine. Individual screening tests may use their own specified cut-offs, and these should always be checked before testing.
For example, the Zoom Testing Heroin Drug Test (MOR) has a sensitivity of 300 ng/mL for opiates/morphine.
Opiates may typically be detectable in urine for several days after use, although there is no single detection period that applies to everyone. Detection time can vary according to the particular drug, dose, frequency of use, individual metabolism, test sensitivity and cut-off being used.
Urine tests are therefore particularly useful in situations where it is important to screen for recent drug use. A urine drug test does not, however, establish whether somebody is currently impaired.
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Cut-Off Levels for Saliva Drug Tests for Opiates
As previously mentioned, drug tests using saliva samples can use different cut-off concentrations from urine tests.
Saliva testing generally provides a shorter detection window than urine testing and is particularly useful when recent drug use is the main concern. The exact detection period varies according to the drug, dose, individual metabolism, collection method and sensitivity of the test.
The EWDTS recommended maximum screening cut-off for opiates in oral fluid is 40 ng/mL. Individual saliva drug tests may use different cut-offs depending on their design and the substances being screened, so the specification of the particular test should always be checked.
A positive or non-negative saliva drug test indicates that the target drug or metabolite has been detected at or above the applicable screening threshold. It does not, by itself, establish that a person is currently impaired.
In Conclusion
Drug test cut-off levels provide a defined threshold for interpreting screening results. The appropriate cut-off depends on the drug, sample type, test specification and testing standard being followed, so there is no single opiate cut-off that applies to every drug test.
Factors including the drug being tested for, the method and frequency of use, individual metabolism and the sensitivity of the test can all influence whether a drug is detected. Cross-reactivity with other substances or medicines may also affect some screening tests.
A non-negative screening result is not necessarily the same as a laboratory-confirmed positive result. Where the consequences of a test result are significant, such as workplace disciplinary action or other formal decisions, appropriate confirmation testing should be considered in accordance with the relevant testing procedure.
About the Author
Anthony Cunningham – Drug Testing Expert & Editor
Anthony Cunningham, BA (Hons), MA, is a UK-based drug testing expert and editor with over 20 years’ experience running Zoom Testing, a trusted source for accurate drug testing kits and testing guidance. He creates clear, evidence-based articles using UK legislation, workplace compliance standards, and harm reduction best practices. Where possible, content is reviewed by testing specialists and compliance professionals to enhance accuracy and reliability, helping readers make informed testing decisions.
Drug Testing Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. Drug test cut-off levels, detection times and results can vary according to the test, specimen type and testing standard being used. A screening result should not be used on its own to make medical, legal or employment decisions. Where a test result has significant consequences, appropriate confirmation testing and professional advice should be considered.
