Last Updated: January 22, 2024

If you take cocaine, you may be wondering how long the drug lingers in your body. Depending on the type of test you take, this drug can be detected between 24 hours and 90 days after the last dose. While the drug can be found in your blood for only around a few hours and in your urine for a day or two, it can stay in your saliva for about two days and can stay in your hair for around three months.

How Long Does Cocaine Start to Kick In?

Cocaine’s effects occur almost immediately and disappear within a few minutes to an hour. How long this effect lasts and how intense the high is depends on how it is used. Short-term effects of using cocaine include:

• Extreme happiness 
• High energy
• Mental alertness
• Hypersensitivity to light, sound and touch
• Irritability
• Paranoia

The time it takes for cocaine effects to kick in is also impacted by the method of use:

• Snorting cocaine: The high from using cocaine this way can start within one to three minutes and may last 15 to 30 minutes.
• Smoking cocaine: Smoking cocaine can result in a high noticeable after about 10 seconds and lasts 5 to 15 minutes.
• Injecting cocaine: Injecting cocaine produces a stronger, faster but shorter-lived high compared to other methods of use. Effects are felt after about 10 seconds and last 5 to 15 minutes.
• Ingesting cocaine: Similar to snorting coke, this can usually be felt in one to three minutes and may last 15 to 30 minutes.

How Long Does Cocaine Last?

Cocaine generally starts to work quickly and similarly lasts a short time. Depending on how cocaine is being used (snorting, smoking, injecting or ingesting), the high from cocaine usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes.

Cocaine affects the reward center in the brain by rapidly increasing the amount of dopamine, a feel-good chemical in the brain. The short rush of dopamine causes a positive feedback loop, reinforcing using cocaine and resulting in addiction. 

The amount of time cocaine lasts can depend on how much cocaine is taken, age, liver or kidney function and whether other drugs or alcohol are taken with it (sometimes unknowingly). Cocaine is metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys, so impaired function in either organ can result in cocaine lasting longer than usual in the body.

Cocaine Half-Life

The half-life is the time it takes to metabolize and eliminate half a dose of cocaine. Cocaine’s half-life is between 40 and 90 minutes. No matter how cocaine is taken, it ultimately ends up in the bloodstream. It then passes through the liver, where it is metabolized into two inactive metabolites. These metabolites are called benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester. Finally, they are excreted from the body mainly in urine.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?

While cocaine works for only a short time, the metabolites can typically be detected for much longer. For this reason, most drug tests detect one of the metabolites of cocaine (benzoylecgonine) rather than cocaine itself. How long it can be detected varies. It all depends on the drug test type, the amount of cocaine, the frequency of use and the person’s liver and kidney function.

Cocaine drug test	How long cocaine and its metabolites can be detected
Blood	Up to 7.5 hours
Saliva	Up to 50 hours
Hair	Up to 3 months
Urine	Up to 2 days

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Urine?

Cocaine itself can be detected in the urine for less than one day. However, benzoylecgonine can be detected in the urine for one to two days. This metabolite is typically present in the urine in much higher amounts than cocaine, making it easier to detect. 

If your kidneys are impaired, the amount of urine you produce or how well your kidneys are filtering may be altered. This can change the amount of time cocaine and benzoylecgonine are present. 

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your Blood?

Cocaine can be measured in the blood between 0.7 to 1.5 hours after use. However, benzoylecgonine can be measured for 5.5 to 7.5 hours. Given how short this detection window is, this type of test may help determine current intoxication with cocaine.

Also, because blood tests are much more costly and require qualified medical personnel to complete the test at a lab, this test is done less than urine testing. 

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Saliva?

Cocaine has been found in saliva for up to 50 hours. This type of testing has seen more use because of its low cost. Unlike blood tests, this test is non-invasive. It also does not require specific personnel or testing facilities to conduct. 

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Hair?

Cocaine can be present in hair for the longest time of any kind of drug test. The amount of hair needed for most drug tests is enough to detect about 90 days in the past. For cocaine, however, this can be very dependent on the amount taken during that time. 

Using higher doses or taking this drug more often can make it easier to detect on a hair sample. However, if you have not used cocaine often or at high doses, hair tests can yield false negative results. This is because the level of cocaine or its metabolite can be so low that, even if you have taken cocaine, it cannot be detected.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Breastmilk?

Cocaine and its metabolites readily transfer to breast milk. The amount of time the drug can be detected depends on how much and how often cocaine is used. For occasional cocaine users, it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours to breastfeed. Passing high concentrations of cocaine and its metabolite to babies through breastfeeding can have dire implications.

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine suggests only considering breastfeeding if the mother tests negative for cocaine at delivery, stops using cocaine at least 90 days before delivering, is in a treatment program they plan to continue and has approval from their substance use counselor.

Factors Influencing How Long Cocaine Stays in Your System

Many factors can influence how long cocaine stays in your system. Some include:

• How much cocaine you use
• How often you use cocaine
• When you last used cocaine
• Kidney function
• Liver function
• Water intake
• Age
• Weight

FAQs on How Long Cocaine Stays In Your System

Cocaine likely stays in your system for roughly the same amount of time, regardless of the type of cocaine you take. Illicitly manufactured cocaine has not been extensively studied. This is because it is illegal, and its ingredients vary depending on the source.

How long does crack cocaine stay in your system?

Cocaine and its breakdown products can be found in your blood for up to 7.5 hours and can be found in urine for up to 2 days. The drug can remain in your saliva for about two days and is detectable in hair for around three months.

How long does one line of cocaine stay in your system?

Cocaine and its metabolites are found in your urine for up to two days and in your blood for up to 7.5 hours. The medication can be found in your hair for up to three months and in your saliva for around two days.

How long does a small amount of cocaine stay in your system?

Cocaine and its metabolites can stay in your blood for up to 7.5 hours and in your urine for up to two days. Tests may find the drug in your saliva for around two days and in your hair for up to three months.

How long does powder cocaine stay in your system?

Cocaine and its breakdown products can stay in your urine for up to two days and in your blood for up to 7.5 hours. The drug may remain in your hair for up to three months and in your saliva for around two days.

How long does a gram of cocaine stay in your system?

Cocaine and its metabolites can linger in your blood for up to 7.5 hours and in your urine for up to two days. The drug may remain in your saliva for around two days and in your hair for up to three months.

Mixing Alcohol and Cocaine (Cocaethylene) 

When you mix cocaine with alcohol, a breakdown product of cocaine can stay in your system longer than cocaine alone. This is because when alcohol and cocaine are taken together, they combine to create a metabolite called cocaethylene in the liver. This chemical raises the number of neurotransmitters in the brain (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine). 

As a result, you experience “good” feelings, reinforcing its use. With this positive feedback loop, you may want to continue to “chase the high,” which could lead to cocaine addiction.

This chemical has properties similar to cocaine but lasts three to five times as long in the blood. It is reported to have effects similar to other stimulants, resulting in euphoria, loss of appetite and local anesthetic properties. Cocaethylene is considered a recreational drug itself but has also been associated with seizures, liver damage, cardiac death and immune risks. 

How Long Does Cocaine Withdrawal Last?

Cocaine withdrawal can happen any time you start to use less or stop taking the drug after your body is used to it. This can start a few hours after your last dose or may start days later. Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can include:

• Anxiety
• Sleep disturbance
• Irritability or mood swings
• Depression
• Sadness
• Cravings 
• Poor concentration
• Fatigue 

Some people can detox from cocaine at home, but a treatment facility may be a better option for others. At a medical detox treatment facility, medical professionals will monitor you throughout the process to provide you with the best opportunity to start your journey toward a sober life. 

Cocaine Abuse

As of 2022, an estimated 5.3 million people over 12 years old identified as users of cocaine within the previous year. Further, there were more than 24,000 overdose deaths involving cocaine in 2021 alone, a number that has been trending upward. 

If you suspect a loved one of cocaine misuse or abuse, you can watch for these long-term effects depending on how cocaine is being taken:

• Snorting may result in loss of smell, nosebleeds or runny nose.
• Smoking commonly causes cough, asthma or a higher risk of infections like pneumonia. 
• Ingesting can result in decay from reduced blood flow.
• Injecting puts users of cocaine at a higher risk for bloodborne diseases (like HIV or hepatitis C), skin infections or scarring and collapsed veins. 

Some people may be at higher risk for cocaine addiction if they have these risk factors:

• Family history of addiction
• History of mental health issues
• Having used cocaine or other drugs at a young age
• Using cocaine often

---

If you or a loved one are struggling with cocaine misuse or addiction, you are not alone. The Recovery Village Columbus offers a full continuum of treatment options for cocaine use disorder to best suit your needs, including medical detox, inpatient and outpatient care. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to discuss your journey to a healthier life. Contact us today to get started.

Sources

• ARUP Laboratories. “Drug Plasma Half-Life and Urine Detection Window.” October 2023. Accessed January 7, 2024.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” November 2023. Accessed January 7, 2024.
• LabCorp. “Drug Test Summary for Urine Oral Fluid and Hair.” Accessed January 7, 2024.
• Ellefsen, Kayla N.; Concheiro, Marta; Pirard, Sandrine; et al. “Oral Fluid Cocaine and Benzoylecgonine Concentrations Following Controlled Intravenous Cocaine Administration.” Forensic Science International, January 22, 2016. Accessed January 7, 2024.
• Statista. “Number of deaths from cocaine per year U.S. 1999-2021.” Accessed January 7, 2024.
• Cone, E.J.; Tsadik, A.; Oyler, J.; Darwin, W.D. “Cocaine metabolism and urinary excretion after different routes of administration.” Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, October 1998. Accessed January 7, 2024.
• Substances Abuse and Mental Health Administration. “Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs.” Updated March 22, 2022. Accessed March 24, 2022.
• LactMed. “Cocaine – Drugs and Lactation Database.” National Library of Medicine, November 15, 2023. Accessed January 7, 2024.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Cocaine Drug Facts.” May 2016. Accessed January 7, 2024.
• Bravo, Rita Roque; Faria, Ana Carolina; Brito-da-Costa, Andreia Machado; et al. “Cocaine: An Updated Overview on Chemistry, Detection, Biokinetics, and Pharmacotoxicological Aspects including Abuse Pattern.” Toxins, April 13, 2022. Accessed January 7, 2024.
• Pergolizzi, Joseph; Breve, Frank; Magnusson, Peter; et al. “Cocaethylene: When Cocaine and Alcohol Are Taken Together.” Cureus, February 22, 2022. Accessed January 7, 2024.