How long does cocaine stay in your system?
Cocaine levels peak in the blood about 30 minutes after you take it. But cocaine’s action in and on the body depends upon several factors. Dosage, mode of administration, single vs. multiple use. But in general, cocaine and its metabolites stay in the system and can be detected 2-4 days after use.
More on cocaine half life, peak levels, and drug testing for cocaine here. Please leave your questions or feedback about cocaine in your system in the comments section below.
What is cocaine used for?
When applied topically, cocaine can be used as a local anesthetic. Traditionally, coca leaves are chewed as a stimulant or brewed into a tea for refreshment and to relieve fatigue. Recreationally, cocaine is used to increase alertness, relieve fatigue, feel stronger and more decisive, can become highly addictive due to its intense euphoric effects (a strong feeling of well-being). Getting high on cocaine is possible because cocaine blocks the removal of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. This result in an accumulation of dopamine that causes continuous pleasurable stimulation of brain cells.
Peak levels and half life of cocaine
The high you get on a single dose of cocaine depends upon how you take it. In general, the effects of an ingested dose of cocaine lasts about 20-30 minutes. Peak levels of cocaine in blood plasma also vary by mode of administration. When snorting cocaine, levels peak around 30 minutes. In comparison, oral administration of cocaine usually results in peak plasma concentrations at 1 hour. Single intravenous doses of cocaine produced an average peak plasma concentration within 5 minutes. Smoking cocaine base peaks at 45 minutes.
Intravenous = 5 min
Snorting cocaine = 30 minutes
Smoking cocaine base = 45 minutes
Oral cocaine = 60 minutes
The apparent half life for cocaine is short, roughly 1 hour. That means that the time required for cocaine levels to decrease by half in the body is somewhere around 60 minutes. However, with chronic use, cocaine accumulates in the body and resulting a prolonged terminal elimination phase for cocaine and its metabolites.
Cocaine drug testing
How long does cocaine stay in the body? Drug tests called immunoassays aim to detect the main metabolite benzoylecgonine when testing for cocaine. Cocaine drug tests generally use a cut-off of 300 ng/mL to indicate positive use. Very low concentrations of cocaine may be detected in urine during the initial few hours after use. In general, cocaine metabolites like benzoylecgonine can be detected in urine 2–4 days after use for sporadic users and up to 12 days after use for chronic users or following a binge.
Still, another factor in the detection of cocaine in the system is mode of administration and doseage. For example, an intravenous dose of 20 mg cocaine can be detected for 1.5 days while street doses of cocaine (administered via different routes) can be detectable up to 1 week. Extremely high doses of cocaine can be found in the system up to 3 weeks after last use.
Cocaine and addiction
Do you have a problem with cocaine? Cocaine can be very addictive, and can affect the brain in ways that you may not expect. If you’re ready to get help and don’t know where to turn, please send us an email or write us in the comments section below. We can help you locate cocaine detox, drug addiction centers, or drug addictioncounselors in your area. If you are ready for help, if you are ready to stop, there is a way. And you don’t have to do it alone.
7:56 am
November 29th, 2011
Still dose answer when smoking cocain in a cigar rite how long does it last
5:56 am
November 30th, 2011
Hi Ray. If you’re asking how long does the high last when you smoke cocaine, the effects and blood levels of cocaine peaks at 45 minutes when you are smoking cocaine base. If you’re asking how long does cocaine stay in your system when you smoke it, it’s about the same for smoking as it is for snorting or oral ingestion. Small levels of cocaine or cocaine metabolites can stay in your system for days or weeks after you take.
How long have your been smoking cocaine?
And how much do you smoke?
4:59 pm
December 4th, 2011
Some time ago I lost my methadone script because when I was tested, the results showed that I had taken coke. I was really surprised as it must have been at least a month. I’m not too fond of ‘white’ and only used it once or twice a year. I don’t touch it at all now, it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
11:57 am
July 8th, 2012
How long does it stay in your system if i just touched it for a sec with 1you finger?
5:50 pm
July 9th, 2012
Hi Jay. If you touched cocaine, and did not snort, smoke, lick, or inject it…it never entered your system. So you don’t have to worry about detection.
7:18 pm
July 10th, 2012
I am not really what you would call a coke head, far from it. But I must confess that over the years I have kinda dabbled now and then.
My experience is only at street level, if that makes sense, but each time I score, it is utter crap, cut with bi’carb or any rubbish. Yea ! I can almost hear you saying, “If the stuff is so bad, why does he keep buying it”. and you are absolutely right, got no answer, suppose like most druggies, my brain’s not wired up right. What I can say without fear of contradiction, when I did enjoy ‘charlie’, it wasn’t like todays crap. It glisttened like the snow on the window sill on christmas morning and was as white. You knew it was ok by the return when you washed it. Now days it fizzes up like Alka Seltza coss it’s got a load of baking soda(bi-carbonate soda) cut into it.
11:56 pm
July 12th, 2012
Hello Michael. I’d agree with you – there’s not way to check the quality of street cocaine unless you take a sample with you for lab analysis. Very dangerous!
9:58 am
September 11th, 2012
hi i have a urientest on wensday n i had a very vey small hopt n i did that on monday nite wil i piss dirty on wensday?i never do crack i just tried it..
12:10 pm
September 11th, 2012
Hi Shelly. Yes. It is possible that you test positive for cocaine use if you’re testing within 48 hours of use.
1:41 pm
September 12th, 2012
I bit down on a dirty baggy and it had coke residue in it. I was given a test approximately 36 hours after. Would it still be in my system
10:03 pm
September 18th, 2012
Hey how long does cocaine last in ur system and what can I do so it can go way
9:17 pm
October 5th, 2012
Hey i did a 20 bag with freinds two weeks ago and havent done coc since is the trace of metabolites still in my system
1:45 pm
October 6th, 2012
Hi Faye. Cocaine metabolites will stay in your hair for quite some time, until you cut it down short. Cocaine binges can be detected for 1-2-3 weeks after use depending on dosage. The best way to know whether or not cocaine is still present in your system would be to try an at home test for cocaine weekly until the test reads NEGATIVE.
8:36 pm
October 12th, 2012
Ya I had a question I was drinking last Saturday night heavily and I did 2 normal key bumps at around midnight and had to take a drug test for work on Monday just wanted to know if it will come out
12:53 pm
October 15th, 2012
Hi Josh. It’s possible that your drug use is within the 2-4 day detection window for a cocaine urinalysis test. You’ll have to wait for the results to know for sure whether you’ve passed, or not, but it’s possible that Saturday night’s use is detected.
4:16 pm
October 15th, 2012
I detect from some of the posts here, no one is hard core coke heads. taking that into account, you shouldn’t have a build up in your system and with any kind of luck, you may be ok.
Depending on your situation with whoever is testing you, and if you are more or less sure you will test positive, maybe you could tell them that you used and how you regret doing it. Like I say, depending on who is doing the test and why. If you are going for a job interview and you know they will test you for coke or smack, the best thing you can do is call in sick, fake a bad dose the flu.
Whatever way you decide to go, good luck and I hope that these tests put you off hard drugs.
2:32 pm
October 16th, 2012
My question is if my last use of crack was saturday at 1:30 in the morning will I pass a urine drug screen on monday at 7:00pm.
5:10 am
October 17th, 2012
Hi Dee. Your drug use is within the detection window for cocaine…so it’s difficult to predict whether or not the drug screen will test dirty. Maybe yes, maybe no.
11:16 pm
October 21st, 2012
i need help quiting
7:08 am
October 22nd, 2012
Hi Carlos. Thanks for reaching out for help. You can call the 24 hour national drug hotline at 1-800-662-HELP. This is a free government service which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. They can refer you to the next steps you can take to get clean. There is also a National Cocaine Hotline at 1-800-COCAINE.
You may want to think about going to a medical detox and then rehab. Psychotherapy also works quite well to address the underlying issues which compel someone to use cocaine over and over again. And remember: you are not alone! There are thousands of people in the same boat, and many who have gotten better!
4:11 pm
October 23rd, 2012
Hi, A friend of mine (really!)… used some cocaine three weeks ago;
(one line and an end of a Mini Spoon). He now has to go for a medical for a new job in a weeks time. He is terrified. (he NEVER uses any drugs and this was something that just happened). what can be detected??
Thank you in advance.
7:41 am
October 24th, 2012
Hello MaXxX. Most medical exams use urinalysis or blood tests to detect RECENT drug use. Hair samples are often ordered by drug courts or opiate/opioid-prescribing doctors when long-term detection of certain drugs is important. In the case of a urine or blood test, your friend’s cocaine use will highly probably go undetected. Too much time (one month!) has passed between use and screening for cocaine metabolites to be present in measurable amounts. On the other hand, even one time use of cocaine can be detected in a hair sample taken one months after use.
Does this information help?
4:37 am
October 27th, 2012
I take some on monday late in the night like 3:00am of tuesday it wasnt that much but i have test on tuesday in the morning ( one week later) . I’ve running and drinking much water even has a 7 day product to clean my system. Do I test positive?
3:59 pm
October 30th, 2012
I smoked crack once, then shot it once all last night. I hadn’t touched that stuff in almost a year. I have a possible drug test coming up on Thursday morning. It was one in the morning last night when I did the last little bit. I was wondering if there’s anything I could do to pass the test say like drinking a whole bunch of water and possibly get ready clean?(which is a detoxify drink)
10:01 pm
November 3rd, 2012
Hey i used cocaine about 2 weeks ago and ima get drug tested(blood samples) in 2 weeks or less will it show up? I made a dumb call and snorted 2 small lines, i never do it juss that time. pls give me info im really scared my life depends on this test!
8:20 am
November 5th, 2012
Hi prince m. Thanks for your question.
Blood tests for cocaine use are mostly used to test for current use. The detection period for cocaine blood tests is really short and is generally less than one (1) day after use. Some blood tests for cocaine cannot even detect cocaine use eight (8) hours after use. So waiting for 2-3 weeks before testing for cocaine in the blood should result in a NEGATIVE test result.
11:26 pm
November 11th, 2012
so i have been shooting cocaine and heroin approximatly 2 bags each a day for the past week and a half. i have a drug test on thursday it is sunday today havent used since yesterday afternoon. if i have used close to everyday for over a week or so but i dont use for 5 days will i pass a 5pannel urine test? HELP!!
11:01 am
November 29th, 2012
hi i stopped all drugs for 2 months i recently got put on probation i went out with a friend and did a coupple of key bumps with my friend in 6 days is my first PO visit if they test me do you think it will be out of my system
1:10 am
December 20th, 2012
Hi i tried some coke last night around 930pm… i got called today (wed) that i need to take a drug test today, tomorrow or no later friday 8 am? Will i test positive?
5:44 pm
January 6th, 2013
Do you know where the nearest detox/help centre is in doncaster, england? I get random tested in my job and really struggle not having It when I drink even though I want to, my career and life would be over if I lost my job.
2:03 pm
January 10th, 2013
Hi Matthew. You can search and find local detox centers using these words in your Google Search:
site:.uk doncaster detox
Please let me know if this helps!
3:13 pm
January 13th, 2013
i used bout a gram of coke saterday nite in to sunday morniing around 2am i was done. now on tuesday i have to take a pee test will i be clean? it was the first in along time. help
10:05 am
January 28th, 2013
Hi love. You’re really close the detection window for cocaine. It’ s possible that it shows up on your pee test. Please let us know how it goes.
4:19 pm
February 12th, 2013
my son is addicted (???) rumour has it at least 8 months now .. he has already lost his wife and daughter over this … i was with him when he was high … it was NOT him … he couldnt sit still or keep one logical thing in his head … i was sooo scared … hes lost about 60 lbs (but also has diabetes) … i have no experience with this or idea what to do .. .he refuses to admit that he’s addicted becuz he was never caught with the stuff or been tested … im just lost and scared and feel so helpless …
2:27 pm
February 13th, 2013
Hello helpless. I’d suggest that you call Al-Anon and go to a support group meeting. Also, call 1-800-662-HELP, the national drug use hotline for support and more answers. You are not alone!
8:46 am
February 27th, 2013
Well I took 3.5 grams last Saturday late night (Sunday) and I passed drug test today (Tuesday)
6:47 am
February 28th, 2013
I did 3 lines on Monday night and I have a drug test the next Monday so 1 week. what should i think?
6:41 pm
February 28th, 2013
@ Joe Is it a urine,blood,saliva or hair test? If it is blood or urine test your safe but a hair strand test will show you’ve used for over 1 year. Also it depends if you’re an occasional, regular or chronic user. Many people don’t realize it isn’t the actual drug that laboratories test for. They look for the Benzoylecgonine in which is a metabolite that your body makes when doing cocaine. Depending on liver and kidney function, cocaine metabolites are detectable in urine. Benzoylecgonine can be detected in urine within four hours after cocaine intake and remains detectable in concentrations greater than 150 ng/mL typically for up to eight days after cocaine is used. I have used in the past and did a urine test 3 days later and passed. Increase water intake and pee a lot it should help you pass. If you can afford it go and get your own drug test at a smoke shop and see if you will pass. Then you will know if you are already clean that is what I did and that is how I knew after 3 days I was clean. Hope this helps
4:56 am
March 25th, 2013
my close friend snorts about a gram of coke every other week, she used about a gram 60 hours prior to a mouth swab test. should she pass or fail?
12:48 am
March 26th, 2013
@ Greg A saliva test will show a positive result within the day of use up to 5 days. I have yet to be given a saliva drug test but I’ve had urine tests. The nurse that took my urine sample told me that urine tests are typically of the same detection time of 3 to 5 days. 5 days is more for chronic users. Your friend is still within the window of detection but will likely be a NEGATIVE result being that 72 hours is 3 days. Hope this helps.
1:57 am
March 27th, 2013
i did a 20 sack of cocaine on Friday afternoon, got busted by cops on Saturday, was givin a blood test at 7:30 on Saturday nite, will I fail?
6:02 pm
March 28th, 2013
@ Worried The detection time in blood is usually less than one day.
4:21 pm
April 3rd, 2013
1/2 gram of cocaine friday night untill 0100am saturday. Lab urine test tuesday at 0200pm. Should i be worried.
6:07 pm
April 29th, 2013
Hi everyone my sister was at one point in time addicted to Crack Cocaine and she got better without going to rehab or anything like that she worked really hard though. As long as you work hard you dont really need any ones help I learned that from my sister it is really hard to do it, but never ever give up. It is worth it to get off of this drug.
5:51 pm
May 29th, 2013
i am 32, 5’4 about 180lbs, i was a few times of week user of cocaine, i would smoke it mixed with tobacco, last time i used was 10 days ago, i been drinking water and cranberry juice, do u think i will pass the urine test this friday, which will be 12 days clean?
6:27 pm
May 29th, 2013
hello, iI need answers!! iI used to smoke cocaine mixed w/tobacco a few times a week, last time iI did it was 9 days ago, iI have to take a urine drug test friday which will make me 11 days clean, iI been drinking alotta water n cranberry juice, iI am 32 y/o n iI weigh 180lbs, semi active, what r my chances of passing this test on friday?
5:39 pm
May 30th, 2013
I did a gram of cocaine Friday afternoon it was gone by 4 pm. I have a urine test Saturday, it is not a stick test it will be sealed and going to a lab. Will I pass this test or should I be worried?
5:41 pm
May 30th, 2013
I meant to say 8 days later on a Saturday
11:14 am
June 6th, 2013
Hi took coke three weeks ago I have a drus test tomorrow will I pat how long will take get out my system