How Many Poppy Seeds to Test Positive? What Tennessee Patients Need to Know
If you’re wondering how many poppy seeds to test positive, you’re not alone. This question is common among people in Tennessee who are facing drug testing for work, probation, or addiction treatment. At Nashville Addiction Clinic, we often hear from patients in Centerville, Cleveland, Brentwood, Columbia, Cookeville, and LaVergne who are worried that something as simple as a poppy seed bagel could cause serious consequences.
Let’s break down the facts in a clear, honest way — and talk about what this means if you’re in Suboxone treatment or considering starting care.
Accredited, Virtual Addiction Treatment for Tennessee
Nashville Addiction Clinic provides evidence-based Suboxone treatment through secure telemedicine, staffed by licensed Tennessee clinicians. No clinic visits required, ever.
- Statewide access across Tennessee
- Accredited by The Joint Commission
- Owned and managed by people in long-term recovery
Register for treatment online using your TennCare Medicaid, commercial insurance, or choose a payment plan. (A sliding-scale program is also available) Click here if you’re a returning patient.
Why Do Poppy Seeds Show Up on Drug Tests?
The reason people ask how many poppy seeds to test positive is because poppy seeds come from the opium poppy plant. That same plant is used to produce opioids like:
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Heroin
Even though poppy seeds used in food are cleaned and processed, they can still contain trace amounts of morphine and codeine.
According to federal drug testing guidelines referenced by agencies like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), drug tests look for metabolites of opioids — including morphine.
That means, yes — poppy seeds can cause a positive result under certain conditions.
How Many Poppy Seeds to Test Positive on a Drug Test?
There is no exact number that guarantees a positive result. However, research shows:
- Eating one poppy seed bagel can sometimes produce detectable morphine levels.
- Larger quantities — like multiple bagels or poppy seed muffins — increase the likelihood.
- Modern workplace drug tests typically use higher cutoff levels to reduce false positives from food sources.
Federal workplace drug testing standards raised the morphine cutoff level to 2,000 ng/mL, specifically to reduce positive tests caused by normal dietary poppy seed consumption.
That means casual consumption is less likely to trigger a positive result today than it was decades ago.
However, results can vary depending on:
- The sensitivity of the test
- The amount consumed
- Your metabolism
- The timing of the test
If you are under strict probation testing or in a zero-tolerance legal situation, even small risks may feel overwhelming.
How Long After Eating Poppy Seeds Could You Test Positive?
In most cases:
- Detectable levels may appear within a few hours
- Results usually drop within 24–48 hours
Again, this depends on the test type and quantity consumed.
If you are in recovery and under monitoring in Knoxville or Jackson, it may be wise to avoid poppy seeds altogether to eliminate anxiety and unnecessary risk.
Poppy Seeds vs. Opioid Use: Important Distinction
It’s important to understand that poppy seeds do not cause impairment or addiction. The trace amounts are small and not used recreationally.
However, if you are struggling with opioid addiction, the real concern is not food — it’s ongoing opioid exposure such as:
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Percocet
- OxyContin
- Morphine
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Methadone
- Kratom
- 7-OH products
If you are afraid of testing positive because of actual opioid use, that’s a very different situation — and one where treatment can help.
Why This Question Often Connects to Recovery
Many people searching how many poppy seeds to test positive are not just curious about food. They may be:
- On probation
- In a child custody case
- Trying to keep a job
- Enrolled in addiction treatment
- Afraid of withdrawal
- Trying to stop using heroin or fentanyl
- Purchasing Suboxone on the street
If that sounds familiar, you should know this:
Opioid addiction is a medical condition — not a moral failure.
At Nashville Addiction Clinic, we provide 100% virtual Suboxone treatment across Tennessee, helping patients stabilize safely and legally.
Tired of Visiting Clinics and Pharmacies? You Don’t Have to Anymore
We know the frustrations and stigmas often associated with addiction treatment, as well as the time it takes to visit a clinic, sit in a waiting room with people you don’t know, wondering if you’re being judged, watching the clock in hopes of leaving within a few hours. Sadly, your day doesn’t end there. You then have to drive to a pharmacy to pick up your Suboxone medications, which can sometimes be met with judgement, stigma, embarrassment, and even rejection.
By utilizing our Suboxone telemedicine program and overnight medication delivery pharmacy partner, you’ll never have to visit a clinic or pharmacy again.
How Suboxone Treatment Helps Prevent Positive Drug Screens
Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) works by:
- Reducing withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing cravings
- Blocking the effects of other opioids
When taken as prescribed under medical supervision, Suboxone is legal, safe, and evidence-based. It allows patients to:
- Maintain employment
- Pass compliant treatment drug screens
- Avoid street opioids
- Rebuild stability
The FDA and DEA regulate medications like buprenorphine to ensure safe prescribing and monitoring.
Why Telemedicine Makes Treatment Easier in Tennessee
For many people in rural areas around Cookeville, Clarksville, or West Tennessee, transportation can be a barrier.
More about Nashville Addiction Clinic:
- Accredited by The Joint Commission
- Our clinic owners are in long-term recovery
- Over 260 Google Reviews (from real patients)
- Recipient of Tennessee’s first Virtual OBOT medical license
- Same-day Suboxone prescriptions
- Statewide award winner of the 2025 Best of Tennessee award for substance abuse treatment
- Over 1000 patients served since 2019
- Accepts most commercial/employee health plans, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield (all U.S. states), Cigna, Ambetter, and United Healthcare, as well as all TennCare Medicaid plans: Amerigroup Community Care, BlueCare, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint Community Care.
- Overnight Suboxone delivery is available in most areas (a delivery fee applies)
- A compassionate team of caring doctors, nurse practitioners, counselors, and administrators who provide judgement-free care, some who are in recovery.
- Same-day appointments available every Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (based on availability)
- Evening appointments every Monday and Wednesday until 9:00 PM
Our helpful staff is happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us or send us a text at (615) 927-7802, or message us securely using the Spruce Health mobile app.
Feeling nervous about starting telemedicine addiction treatment? Learn what to expect during your first Suboxone telemedicine appointment.
Everything is done securely through your smartphone.
If fear of testing positive is connected to ongoing opioid use, this may be the safest path forward.
What to Do If You’re Worried About a Drug Test
If you are in active recovery:
- Avoid poppy seeds entirely to remove uncertainty
- Inform your treatment provider about dietary intake
- Follow all prescribed medication instructions
If you are struggling with opioid use:
- Don’t panic
- Don’t hide
- Don’t keep buying pills or fentanyl to avoid withdrawal
Instead, registering for online addiction treatment:
- Register for Suboxone Telehealth using your TennCare Medicaid
- Register for virtual Suboxone addiction treatment with your commercial insurance
- No Insurance? Register for Suboxone Telemedicine therapy and make payments
- Register as a returning patient
- Apply for our Sliding-Scale Program
- View all Medicaid and commercial insurance plans we accept and self-pay pricing
- We accept most private/employee health insurance, such as BCBS, Cigna, Ambetter, and United Healthcare, as well as all TennCare Medicaid insurance: Amerigroup Community Care, BlueCare, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint Community Care.
- Same-day appointments and Suboxone prescriptions are often available when fully-registered before 10:00 am Central Time. (based on availability)
Not sure if your insurance is accepted? Click here to verify your coverage.
Experience a safe transition from hydrocodone, oxycodone, OxyContin, heroin, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, Kratom, 7-OH (7-Hydroxy-opioids), Norcos, Percocet, Roxicodone, Vicodin, Tianeptine, Tramadol, Opana, codeine, oxymorphone, and other opioids.
If you would like to speak to someone about our telemedicine Suboxone program, please call or text us at (615) 927-7802. You can also message us securely on the Spruce Health mobile app.
FAQ: How Many Poppy Seeds to Test Positive?
Can one poppy seed bagel cause a positive drug test?
It’s possible but less likely under modern federal cutoff standards. However, risk varies by testing method.
How long do poppy seeds stay in your system?
Usually detectable for up to 24–48 hours, depending on quantity and metabolism.
Should I avoid poppy seeds if I’m on probation?
Yes. If you are in a strict legal situation, avoiding them entirely is the safest choice.
Does Suboxone show up as morphine?
No. Standard opioid tests do not confuse Suboxone with morphine. Specific tests are required to detect buprenorphine.
What if I’ve been buying Suboxone off the street?
Street-purchased medication is unsafe and unregulated. Legal, supervised treatment is safer and protects you medically and legally.
Kratom (7-OH, 7-Hydroxy) Addiction is Rampant in Tennessee
If you’re struggling with Kratom addiction or products containing 7-hydroxy (7-OH), you are not alone. Many people across Tennessee have experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and loss of control after using these highly potent substances.
There are growing reports that certain Tennessee retailers have provided free samples of Kratom and 7-Hydroxy products, a practice that raises serious concerns about intentionally encouraging dependence and repeat sales.
Recovery Care of Columbia has extensive experience helping patients safely transition from Kratom and 7-hydroxy products to buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) through secure telemedicine appointments. Since 2024, we have treated hundreds of Tennesseans seeking relief from Kratom dependence—including individuals using daily amounts in excess of 800 mg.
Our providers understand the unique withdrawal patterns associated with 7-hydroxy and Kratom extracts. We develop personalized induction plans designed to reduce discomfort and stabilize you safely, without ever stepping into our clinic.
If you’re ready to stop Kratom, 7-OH, 7-Hydroxy, confidential online treatment is available now—no matter where you live in Tennessee.
You Don’t Have to Live in Fear of Drug Tests
If anxiety about testing positive is controlling your life, it may be time to stabilize with real medical support.
Nashville Addiction Clinic provides private, judgment-free, statewide telemedicine Suboxone treatment for adults 18–65 across Tennessee.\
- TennCare Medicaid virtual addiction treatment coverage
- Commercial insurance Suboxone telemedicine program
- Self-pay telemedicine Suboxone program (make payments)
- Sliding-scale virtual Suboxone program application
You can review insurance and pricing details before scheduling, so there are no surprises.
If you have TennCare Medicaid insurance, your treatment and medication costs are typically $0. If you have commercial health insurance, we will provide you with a treatment cost estimate before scheduling your first telemedicine appointment. If you don’t have health insurance, we offer biweekly and monthly payment plans.
Recovery is possible — and you don’t have to risk your future over uncertainty.
Related Articles
- Will Suboxone Show Up on a Drug Test?(Opens in a new browser tab)
- 7-Hydroxy Addiction: Virtual Treatment That Works for Tennessee Residents(Opens in a new browser tab)
- How Long Does Gabapentin Stay in Your System?(Opens in a new browser tab)
Addiction Resources
- Kratom/7-OH/7-hydroxymitragynine addiction is another opioid addiction-related issue facing Tennessean’s, thanks to it being readily available and unregulated. Learn more about Kratom addiction and virtual treatment options in Tennessee.
- DEA.gov – Opioid Addiction Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC.gov
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
