Cocaine addiction is a serious issue that you need to address if you want to lead a good and full life. Cocaine is a powerful and fast-acting stimulant made from the coca plant in a complicated chemical procedure.
It is highly addictive and typically has many negative adverse effects on someone’s life such as respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal issues. The user can also experience severe mental effects like anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis which can make them aggressive and have generally unpredictable behavior. Ultimately, you can expect several economic and legal consequences, such as difficulties holding onto a job or even imprisonment when caught in possession.
So, how long does coke stay in your system? If this question is on your mind, it is a sign that you are considering getting clean and eliminating the substance from your body, an important step towards kicking your addiction to the curb.
Different Areas Hold Cocaine Longer Than Others
After consumption, cocaine is present in your system in different places for varying durations. These include:
● Saliva
Cocaine is present in saliva for as much as 2 days (48 hours) after use. To check the amount of coke in your saliva, you need to take a saliva test for cocaine. For that, go to a drug testing laboratory for more accurate results.
● Blood
As with saliva, coke can be detected in your blood for an estimated 2 days (48 hours) after consumption. You need a blood test for cocaine to tell the presence- or absence- of cocaine in your blood.
● Urine
If you are a light user, coke is present in your urine for 3 days (72 hours). If you are a heavy and frequent user, coke can be detected in your urine for up to 14 days (2 weeks) after use. A urine test for cocaine is necessary in this case.
● Hair
Coke can be present in your hair up to 90 days after taking it. A hair follicle test can also detect cocaine years after it was used.
Factors Determining How Long Coke Stays in Your Body?
The duration in which cocaine stays in your body is dependent on certain factors that can include:
- The amount consumed: The more cocaine you put in your body, the longer it will take to get it out of your system.
- Frequency of consumption: If you use cocaine frequently, you can expect it to stay longer in your body.
- Method of consumption: Snorting or dabbing coke onto your gums can make it stay in your body longer. Smoked or injected coke is present for a shorter time.
- Combining with alcohol: Drinking alcohol and taking cocaine together can make it stay in your system for several days.
- Weight and metabolism: Higher levels of body fat can make cocaine stick around for much longer.
The Bottom Line
If you want to take charge of your life after a cocaine addiction or want to help a loved one, understanding how long cokes stay in the body can be an excellent starting point. Besides helping you chart your progress in eliminating the substance from your system, it will give you much morale to keep going.
So, take charge of your life and overcome coke addiction by detoxing your system off of the drug one day at a time. With a bit of consistency and commitment, you can turn your life around and achieve a full recovery.