How Long Cocaine Stays in the System

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug. While it is mostly used illicitly, it has roots in the medical field and may be used as an anesthetic in certain clinical settings.¹

Individuals may wonder how long is cocaine in your system. This article will examine the amount of time cocaine stays in a person’s body, including timelines and drug test detection.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?

The length of time that cocaine stays in a person’s system can vary. The high from snorting cocaine may last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. The high from smoking has a more rapid onset, but may last only 5 to 10 minutes.

Effects include:²

• Euphoria.
• Enhanced mental alertness.
• Dilated pupils.
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate.
• Elevated body temperature.

Note: If you or someone you know is spending a lot of time worrying about cocaine in your system, and how long cocaine or any other substance stays in the system, it could be an indication of an addiction to cocaine.

How Long After Use Will Cocaine Show Up On A Drug Test?

When a person consumes cocaine, the liver primarily converts it to the metabolites benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester. Many individuals may think that drug tests screen for cocaine, but they actually test for benzoylecgonine because its concentration in urine is 50 to 100 times greater than that of cocaine.³

The length of time it takes for cocaine to be eliminated from a person’s body depends on the following factors:⁴

• Volume of cocaine consumed
• How regularly or frequently cocaine is used
• A person’s rate of metabolism

Below are timeframes for cocaine detection in drug tests. All of these timeframes are based on estimates; individual cases may vary.

• A saliva test can reveal cocaine use within minutes after consumption and for up to 2 days.⁵
• Cocaine use may be detectable in hair for up to 90 days.⁶

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Blood?

A lab can analyze a blood sample for cocaine and its metabolites. Cocaine is typically detectable in the blood for up to 12 hours, while its primary metabolite, benzoylecgonine, can be identified for approximately 48 hours. So, blood testing can identify cocaine for up to 2 days.⁷

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your Urine?

In urine, cocaine is often detectable for about 3–4 days, though it may be detectable up to 10 days after a binge.^3,4 In heavy users, cocaine can show up on a urine test for up to 2 weeks.⁷

Frequently Asked Questions About Cocaine

Paying for Cocaine Addiction Treatment

If you are looking for how long a substance like cocaine stays in your body and is detectable, that might tell you that your substance use is a problem. Instead of trying to figure out how long it takes for cocaine to leave your body, we want to help you figure out how to address your substance use so that you can get back to a happy and healthy life.

Once you decide to pursue treatment, the cost of cocaine addiction treatment may feel overwhelming. But there are various ways to pay for rehab. Payment options can include insurance, which can cover at least some of the costs of treatment. You can speak to one of our admissions navigators to verify your  insurance coverage. 

In addition to insurance, you can also cover the costs of rehab with grants, scholarships, personal funds, or credit. There are also some treatment facilities that offer care on a sliding payment scale.

Getting Help for a Cocaine Addiction

At our inpatient rehab facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, we provide a full range of care, from medical detox and inpatient or residential treatment to sober living and various levels of outpatient services.

Our admissions navigators are available around the clock to answer any questions about using insurance or other forms of payment and how to start the admissions process.

Or you can check whether we accept your health insurance and verify your benefits by filling out this quick and confidential

The only way to be certain you will pass a drug test is to stop using cocaine. If you feel like you’ve lost control of your cocaine use and need help quitting, contact us at today.