Cocaine’s effects are often short-lived but traces of the substance can be detected in the body long after the last hit.
This table breaks down how long cocaine is detectable in the body after it was last taken and by different drug test types.
| Drug Sample Type | Cocaine Detection Time |
|---|---|
| Urine testing | 3 days after use |
| Blood testing | 48 hours after use |
| Saliva testing | 48 hours after use |
| Hair testing | 90 days after use |
Read on to find out more about how cocaine is metabolized in the body, what factors affect detection time, and where to get treatment for cocaine use disorder.
- Cocaine has a relatively short half-life (the length of time it takes the body to process half a dose) at around an hour for most people, yet traces of it can be detected up to 90 days after last use.
- As it is processed by the body rapidly, most toxicology drug tests look for cocaine metabolites such as benzoylecgonine which linger in the system for longer.
- Cocaine has more unique and detectable metabolites, meaning false positives are incredibly rare and almost unheard of.
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How long cocaine stays in your system
Cocaine has a relatively short half-life (the length of time it takes the body to process half a dose) at around an hour for most people, yet traces of it can be detected up to 90 days after last use.
Cocaine will often show in urine drug tests between three and six hours after taking it and can be detected for up to four days.
How long does cocaine stay in urine?
Urine tests are the most common form of drug tests used in the United States owing to their ease of use, low cost, and rapid results. Cocaine will often show in urine toxicology between three and six hours after taking it and can be detected for up to three days.[1]
How long does cocaine stay in blood?
Cocaine is detectable in blood up to 48 hours after last use.[4]
Visit here to learn more about how long other substances stay in your system.
How long does cocaine stay in saliva?
Saliva toxicology testing is rarely used as substances tend to be hard to trace after a short amount of time. Cocaine is detectable in saliva up to 48 hours after last use.[4]
How long is cocaine detectable in hair?
Hair follicle testing takes longer to process and is more expensive than other drug tests but can trace substance use back much further and more accurately. Cocaine is detectable in hair follicles up to 90 days after the last dose.[4]
Factors that affect drug detection times
There are many factors that can influence the detection rate in a toxicology test and these can vary from person to person.
Factors that influence cocaine detection rates include:
- Length of time cocaine was abused for
- Quantity of cocaine used
- Type of cocaine used
- Purity of the drug
- Hydration levels
- Whether other substances were taken
- Whether alcohol was consumed (alcohol and cocaine consumed together creates a new metabolite, cocaethylene)[4]
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Method of use (snorting, smoking, injecting, etc.)
- Gender
- Age
- Pre-existing medical conditions (especially those involving the liver or kidneys)
Can you get a false-positive result for cocaine drug tests?
Some drug tests may indicate a false positive when looking for certain substances. For instance, poppy seeds can confuse opioid drug detection. This is due to certain materials containing similar or identical metabolites that drug tests look for.
Cocaine has more unique and detectable metabolites, meaning false positives are incredibly rare and almost unheard of.
Can I get cocaine out of my system faster?
No. There are dozens of claims across the internet that certain home remedies and concoctions can speed up the body’s processing of cocaine metabolites. None of these are scientifically or medically proven and will have little to no effect.
Drinking water can increase the speed at which the body processes cocaine, but only fractionally. Letting the body process cocaine healthily and naturally is the most effective way to completely remove the substance from the system.
Cocaine addiction treatment
If you are concerned about testing positive for cocaine use, it is critical that you seek cocaine use treatment or learn how to quit on your own.
Getting treatment from a rehab facility can help to get cocaine out of your system and regain control of your life. Visit our rehab directory to find a rehab center near you.
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