From the Guidelines
Cocaine typically stays in the system for 2 to 4 days after use, as detected by urine tests, which are the most commonly used method. The detection time may vary depending on several factors, including the amount used, frequency of use, individual metabolism, kidney and liver function, hydration levels, and body mass 1. In general, a person’s urine typically tests positive for cocaine within 1 to 4 hours of consuming the drug and will continue to test positive for 2 to 4 days 1.
Detection Methods
- Blood tests can detect cocaine for up to 2 days after use
- Urine tests can detect cocaine metabolites for 2-4 days for occasional users and up to 2 weeks for heavy users
- Hair tests can detect cocaine for up to 90 days or even longer
- Saliva tests typically detect cocaine for 1-2 days after use
The metabolites of cocaine, such as benzoylecgonine, have longer half-lives than cocaine itself, which is why they can be detected for days after the effects of cocaine have worn off 1. It's worth noting that there are no reliable methods to speed up the elimination of cocaine from the system significantly.
Factors Affecting Detection Time
- Amount used
- Frequency of use
- Individual metabolism
- Kidney and liver function
- Hydration levels
- Body mass
Overall, the detection time of cocaine in the system can vary significantly depending on the individual and the testing method used, but urine tests generally detect cocaine metabolites for 2 to 4 days after use 1.
From the Research
Cocaine Detection in the System
- The length of time cocaine stays in the system is not directly addressed in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, one study mentions that patients felt methadone increased craving for cocaine 4, but it does not provide information on how long cocaine stays in the system.
- Another study assessed illicit substance use, including cocaine, through urinalysis, but it focused on the effectiveness of buprenorphine and methadone maintenance therapy in opiate addicts, rather than the duration of cocaine detection 3, 5.
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to answer the question of how long cocaine stays in the system.