Several illegal drugs can be found in saliva, as indicated in the provided reference.
Drugs Detectable in Saliva
The reference states that various substances, specifically heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines, can be detected in saliva. This is because saliva is derived from blood, meaning that drug concentrations in oral fluids often mirror those found in the blood.
Here's a summary of the drugs mentioned:
| Drug | Category |
|---|---|
| Heroin | Opioid |
| Cocaine | Stimulant |
| Amphetamines | Stimulant |
How Drugs Get into Saliva
The correlation between blood and saliva drug concentrations is crucial in drug testing. This relationship provides a non-invasive method of detection compared to blood tests.
Here are a few important points to understand:
- Blood-Derived: Saliva is essentially an ultrafiltrate of blood. As blood circulates throughout the body, small molecules like drugs are passed into the saliva.
- Detection: This blood-saliva transfer allows testing saliva to find traces of ingested drugs.
- Non-Invasive Testing: This provides a non-invasive way to detect substance use.
Conclusion
In summary, heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines are drugs that can be found in saliva, reflecting their presence in the bloodstream. This characteristic is vital for drug testing methods using oral fluid.
