How Long Does Cocaine Stay in the System: Cocaine Detox & Withdrawal

Cocaine is a powerful and fast-acting stimulant drug that carries a high risk for misuse and addiction. While the effects of this cocaine may be short-lived, it can remain in your system for several days and remain detectable on drug tests for weeks or months.

If you are concerned about your cocaine use and want to know how to detox from cocaine, know that there is effective help that can help manage symptoms and get you on the road to recovery. This article will explain the particulars of a cocaine detox, withdrawal symptoms, and how long cocaine stays in your system.

Cocaine Detox & Withdrawal Symptoms

The cocaine detox process may vary depending on the type and severity of substance withdrawal being managed, as well as on the individual’s personal health. Cocaine detox is a relatively fast process, compared to some other drugs. However, it can take longer if the drug has been used for a long time or if the individual has certain health issues.

Unlike detox from opioids or central nervous system depressants like alcohol and benzodiazepines, detox from stimulants like cocaine is frequently associated with less pronounced physical symptoms and may take relatively less time to complete. More rarely, some of the symptoms of stimulant withdrawal may persist for months or even years after detox, which could make it more difficult to avoid relapse over time.¹

According to the National Library of Medicine’s Medline Plus, withdrawal symptoms for cocaine may include:²

• Strong cocaine cravings.
• General discomfort.
• Depressed mood.
• Suicidal thoughts.
• Restlessness.
• Agitation.
• Lethargy or slowing of activity.
• Increased appetite.
• Intense, unpleasant dreams.

Cravings can be extremely intense when experiencing a cocaine comedown and during withdrawal, leading to a high risk of relapse. In some cases, these cravings may linger for months after the drug has left the person’s body, especially if there was heavy use for a long period of time. Another potentially long-lasting aspect of cocaine withdrawal can be anhedonia, which is a diminished ability to feel pleasure.²

Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline

Drug elimination times have some influence on certain aspects of the cocaine detox/withdrawal timelines, such as these described by Mental Health Daily:¹

1. The crash phase. The initial drop from euphoria can last from a few hours to 3-4 days
2. The craving phase. This stage of intense, sometimes debilitating cravings can range from one week to 10 weeks.
3. The extinction phase. After 10-30 weeks, cravings for cocaine diminish, though they can continue on an intermittent basis and are easier to manage.

Cocaine Withdrawal for Chronic Cocaine Users

While drug half-life is a relatively fixed number, more chronic and intense levels of drug use may influence the character and duration of both acute and more protracted withdrawal. When cocaine has been used on a regular or continual basis for a long time, withdrawal symptoms and cravings can be much stronger over the course of detox and beyond. This can account for some of the longer durations of the craving and extinction phases.¹

Cocaine is often mixed with other drugs, like heroin or marijuana, and its purity or potency may also be diluted by adulterant substances in some cases, either by the distributor for higher profits or by the person using it prior to injection or smoking. The more subjective experience of withdrawal and how long it lasts can also depend on factors such as these, in addition to just the severity or longstanding nature of the abuse.¹

How the Body Metabolizes Cocaine

The Journal of Analytical Toxicology describes how the body processes cocaine, referred to as the drug’s metabolism. This pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of cocaine help to explain how the drug affects the body and also how quickly it leaves the body after use. These processes can vary somewhat depending on the way that cocaine is used because the drug is absorbed differently depending on how it enters the body.³

When cocaine is injected or smoked, drug levels rise relatively quickly in the bloodstream, resulting in an intense high. However, when the drug is snorted or absorbed through the mucous membranes, it takes a bit longer to have an effect; such routes provide a relatively less intense onset of the high over the course of about an hour. In all cases, the length of time it takes for the drug to peak in the body can vary depending on the individual as well.³

Once it is in the body, cocaine is processed and broken down into smaller components, called metabolites. Though inhaled cocaine takes somewhat longer than smoked or injected cocaine to metabolize, the major metabolite of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, is found in the blood within 15-30 minutes regardless of the method of use.³

What Is the Half-Life of Cocaine?

Peak concentrations of cocaine begin to decline as it is cleared from the body through metabolic processes. How long it takes for half the dose to be eliminated from the body is known as the drug’s half-life, and this is a good way of measuring how long it takes for the drug to be fully eliminated.

According to Mayo Medical Laboratories, the half-life of cocaine can be up to six hours and its primary metabolite—benzoylecgonine, with a half-life of 12 hours—may be detected via various testing assays for up to 4 days after use.⁴

In the case of cocaine, the metabolites take substantially longer to be eliminated. In fact, benzoylecgonine has a half-life of 6-12 hours, meaning that it can take a few days longer to eliminate this chemical from the body completely.

How Long Is Cocaine Detected in the Body?

Depending on the method of testing used, cocaine can be detected in the body for anywhere from 24 hours to multiple weeks after use. While different types of tests offer different detection windows, other factors that can affect the length of time cocaine remains in the body include:^5,6

• The amount of cocaine used.
• How frequently cocaine is used.
• The route of administration.
• How much water is consumed.
• A person’s individual rate of metabolism.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Urine?

On average, cocaine can stay in urine for 1-3 days after use.^7(p.240) However, someone who uses cocaine heavily may have detectable levels in their urine for 1-2 weeks or more.^5,8,9 Urine tests are commonly used to detect drug use in settings such as:⁸

• Workplaces.
• Court systems.
• Treatment programs.
• Hospitals.

How Long Is Cocaine Detected in Blood?

Cocaine is typically detected in blood for 24 hours or less.^7,10 This detection window falls on the shorter end when compared to other methods.

How Long Is Cocaine Detected in Hair?

Cocaine can be detected in hair for months to years after use of the substance stops.¹¹ While hair testing is not as commonly used, it offers a longer detection window than other methods which can be helpful for forensic and clinical toxicology.¹¹

How Long Is Cocaine Detected in Sweat?

Cocaine may be detected in sweat for 7-14 days.⁹ Sweat patch drug tests detect drugs differently than other tests. These patches are meant to retain evidence of drug use while being worn over an extended period of time. Sweat patches can detect drug use from 24-48 hours before being applied or up to 2 weeks while being worn.¹²

Some people may try to flush cocaine out of their system by exercising to induce sweat. Combining cocaine and working out can be highly dangerous and should be avoided.

Managing Cocaine Detox

While the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine detox can be intimidating, it is reassuring to know that it is possible to recover from cocaine addiction. It is helpful to get support from loved ones, including friends and family who will encourage and understand what the individual is going through during detox. It is just as important to avoid people who might encourage relapse.¹

Other supports during the cocaine detox process include healthy habits like eating good food and getting exercise, as well as keeping busy. These can strengthen the body’s ability to overcome the challenges of withdrawal and keep the individual distracted from cravings for the drug.

All of these areas can be supported through the assistance of a professional, research-based detox and treatment program. With treatment, the individual can develop needed skills and have access to more tools to prevent relapse than someone trying to detox from cocaine without help.

Drug Rehab in Tampa Bay

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to cocaine or other substance use disorders and are unsure of where to turn, River Oaks Treatment Center can help. At our alcohol and drug rehab near Tampa, FL, we provide compassionate and effective treatment, including medical detox, to help you find long-term recovery.

Call our helpful and knowledgeable admissions navigators at . They can help guide you through the drug rehab admissions process, give you information about paying for drug rehab with health insurance, and discuss other drug rehab payment options.

Get started today by . Recovery from addiction is possible and River Oaks is here to help.