How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Your System: Urine, Blood, Sweat & Saliva

Coming down off cocaine does not mean it can no longer be detected through a drug test or screening. Cocaine metabolism begins when a chemical in the blood plasma called plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) breaks down cocaine into a chemical called ecgonine methyl ester (EME). The length of time cocaine stays in a person’s system depends on the dosage, how often a person uses it, and other factors. How long buprenorphine stays in your system will mainly depend upon which form of buprenorphine you use, its elimination half-life (t1/2), and if you have liver disease.

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This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 7 Jul 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 14 Jul 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Jul 2024) and others. The intravenous (IV) formulation has a half life of 2.2 hours, and the long-acting subcutaneous depot injection form has a half-life of 43 to 60 days due to its slow release. Chronic use of cocaine may affect how long the drug stays in the system. Chronic cocaine use is a sign of cocaine addiction, which can drastically alter mood, behavior, and health. The signs of cocaine addiction extend beyond the physical symptoms and also involve emotional and behavioral changes.

• Cocaine is a dangerous drug of abuse that can lead to chronic issues with health, employment, relationships, and psychological well-being when misused.
• When cocaine excessively increases the concentration of “feel good” neurotransmitters in the brain, the drug prolongs and amplifies the effects of these chemicals.
• Cocaine is a stimulant drug, which means that it increases activity in the central nervous system.
• Certain workplaces may require one-time or recurring drug screenings as a condition of employment.
• While there is no instant method to clear nicotine, these steps can help speed up the detoxification process and reduce the duration of nicotine presence in the system.
• Urine tests are a commonly used testing method because they are non-invasive and can detect trace amounts of cocaine.

Signs of a Cocaine Addiction

It’s not likely that you can rinse out your mouth and remove these elements because it’s in your saliva as it’s produced, not just in your mouth due to ingesting it. Cocaine enters the blood within a matter of minutes of consuming it either through snorting or through smoking. Hitting the brain, it creates the euphoric feeling most people use this drug to experience.

How Do People Try to Alter Test Results?

Employers and schools with policies about random drug tests or suspected-use drug tests may also require you to be tested for cocaine. Especially since it takes time to metabolize cocaine, with regular use these toxins can start to take their toll on your body. The metabolism of cocaine can vary from person to person and is influenced by various factors. People with a higher metabolic rate tend to eliminate cocaine and its metabolites more quickly than those with a slower metabolism. In the liver, cocaine is broken down into several metabolites, with the primary metabolite being benzoylecgonine.

Combining other drugs with cocaine may be more dangerous than either alone. Our treatment specialists can help you find the perfect treatment center in your area. That means that at least half of the drug amount ingested is eliminated from the body within that time. If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime, you may also be tested for this drug.

Prolonged cocaine use can have serious health consequences, including heart problems, nervous system issues, and mental health challenges. Cocaine’s addictive nature can lead to a cycle of craving and compulsive use, impacting various aspects of an individual’s life. Courts, for example, almost always use the urine-testing method. In certain cases, they may also call for a hair or blood test to be administered. Companies who test employees for cocaine or other drugs usually use urine as well. Because hair and blood samples are somewhat costly, they are rarely administered by employers.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System for Drug Tests?

• The criminal justice and legal systems also use drug testing during the course of some criminal investigations, motor vehicle accidents, and court cases.
• Lay them on their side with their body supported by a bent knee.
• It binds to the neurotransmitter receptors and blocks their removal, which results in the increased accumulation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
• Cone, EJ; et al. “Cocaine disposition in saliva following […]oked administration.” Journal of Analytical Toxicology, October 1997.
• Our admissions navigators are available around the clock to answer any questions about paying for rehab and start the admissions process.
• Depression, anxiety, paranoia, and more will all make their way through a detoxing coke user over the course of the next 3 to 7 days.
• While overdoses involving cocaine alone aren’t common, contaminants, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl, are increasingly showing up in cocaine and other substances.

The half-life of a drug refers to how long it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the bloodstream. Cocaine is metabolized by enzymes in the blood and liver, how long does cocaine stay in your system and can itself be rapidly eliminated from the system. Although the effects of cocaine are short-lived, cocaine can still be detected in the body for some time.

Physical Health

• Injecting or smoking cocaine gives users a rush, followed by a high.
• Cocaine is a fast-acting stimulant with a quick high that lasts for only a short period.
• Keep in mind that patient confidentiality laws will prevent them from reporting this information to law enforcement.
• Some people are more vulnerable to cocaine addiction than others.