Street Opioid Use Frequency — Past 3 Months
A self-reported measure of how often street opioids, such as heroin or illegally sold pills, were used during the previous 3 months.
This screening question helps identify patterns of nonmedical opioid use that may need further assessment.
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 95437-0
- Short code
- DURINGTHEPAST3MOHOWOFTENHAVEYOUUSEDSTREETOPIOIDS
- Synonyms
- —
- Category
- liver
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 10
- Ref high
- 40
- Critical range
- — – 500 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 84484
- SNOMED
- 302774002
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
This is a screening questionnaire, not a blood or urine laboratory test. It asks how often you have used opioids obtained outside a medical prescription during the past 3 months.
Why might I need this test?
Clinicians may use the answers to assess possible opioid use disorder, guide treatment, and determine whether additional support, harm reduction, or overdose prevention is needed.
How is the test performed?
You or your clinician select the response that best describes your use over the previous 3 months. The answers are interpreted alongside your history, symptoms, and other clinical information.
How do I prepare for the test?
No preparation is required. Answer honestly and include all opioids used without a prescription, even if the amount was small or the use was only once.
Reference range
Adult: 10-40 U/LN/A
No special preparation required. Avoid fatty meals before the test if possible.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Reported use may prompt a clinician to assess withdrawal, cravings, impaired control, and other signs of opioid use disorder. It does not by itself establish a diagnosis, and the frequency of use alone cannot show how much harm is occurring. If you may be dependent on opioids, stopping suddenly can be dangerous, and confidential medical treatment is available.
Short name
Past 3-month street opioid use
Frequently asked questions
Does this question include prescription opioid medications?
What if I used street opioids only once?
Will my answer be confidential?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy