However, one component of cocaine, called benzoylecgonine, has a longer half-life of about 12 hours. The cocaine detection window is impacted by the drug’s half-life. Cocaine doesn’t remain in the body’s system as long as others. Cocaine is a central nervous stimulant that some people use recreationally. If a person uses cocaine regularly and then stops taking it, they may develop withdrawal symptoms.

Because of how quickly the body can metabolize cocaine, drug tests generally screen for cocaine metabolites, which stay in your system longer. Drug tests can detect the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine for anywhere from one to 90 days. The detection time for a drug refers to how long it is able to be detected in the system.

Drug Testing Considerations

Below are some addiction support groups that may be helpful for people with cocaine addiction. A doctor can also prescribe medications to help manage more severe NAS symptoms. The goal of pharmacological treatment is to improve these symptoms in the short term. People may experience a variety of symptoms during cocaine withdrawal.

However, the body is extremely efficient at correcting the excessively high dopamine. The effects are reversed in only a few hours, but cocaine and its metabolites may stay detectable in the body for several days. Cocaine is quickly metabolized from the https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/opioid-addiction-treatment-recovery-is-possible/ blood, so this type of test is not used for drug testing. Most drugs are undetectable in the blood after five half-lives have passed, approximately 7.5 hours for cocaine. Cocaine metabolites can be detected in saliva (spit) for up to two days after use.

Cocaine Metabolism & Half-Life

Cocaine tolerance can increase a person’s risk of experiencing an overdose. The duration of a cocaine high depends on a few factors, such as the method of ingestion and how much you use, but it typically lasts approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Some people may experience lingering effects for hours after taking it, and the comedown effects can also last a few days. Urine tests may test for cocaine itself or its metabolite, benzoylecgonine.

• From there, the drug is widely distributed through the body’s tissues as well as the interactions had within the brain’s chemical system.
• However, trace amounts of benzoylecgonine remain in the system for up to a day.
• People use coke for its intense psychological effects, like euphoria and boosted confidence.

If you feel comfortable, you can bring it up with a healthcare professional. Keep in mind that patient confidentiality laws will prevent them from reporting this information to law enforcement. While overdoses involving cocaine alone how long does cocaine stay in your system aren’t common, contaminants, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl, are increasingly showing up in cocaine and other substances. How much you use and whether you’re also using other substances can make a difference, too.

Find Cocaine Addiction Treatment & Detox Near You

Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. The Verified badge on our articles is a trusted sign of the most comprehensive scientifically-based medical content. If you have any concern that our content is inaccurate or it should be updated, please let our team know at [email protected]. According to the University of Arizona study, the time it takes for coke to start acting depends on whether it was injected, snorted, or smoked. When it is smoked or injected, it reaches the brain the fastest within a few seconds.

• Smoking cocaine lets it enter the bloodstream faster, often within five minutes.
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• It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
• The effects usually come on hard and fast, which is part of why cocaine tends to have high dependence potential despite relatively short-lived effects.
• Street dealers often mix it with things like cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour to increase profits.

Some people also smoke Crack by sprinkling it on marijuana or tobacco, and smoke it like a cigarette. People snort cocaine powder through the nose, or they rub it into their gums. Others dissolve the powder and inject it into the bloodstream. Some people inject a combination of cocaine and heroin, called a Speedball. Mixing alcohol and cocaine has also been shown to increase cravings for each substance, leading to a higher risk of dependence.