Cocaine is extremely addictive because it acts as a stimulant. It has a history of legitimate medical application and may even be used as an anesthetic in select therapeutic settings, but it is more commonly used for criminal purposes. The subject of this article is the duration of cocaine’s presence in the system, as measured by drug testing.
Cocaine Start to Kick In
The effects of cocaine are felt very immediately and wear off within a few minutes to an hour. The frequency with which this effect occurs and the strength of the high are both modulated by the method of administration. A few of cocaine’s immediate side effects are:
- Extreme happiness
- High energy
- Mental alertness
- Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch
- Irritability
- Paranoia
Cocaine stability in the system
Cocaine’s effects usually begin almost immediately and wear off almost as rapidly. The effects of cocaine use (high) often wear off after 15-30 minutes, depending on the method of administration (snorting, smoking, injecting, or swallowing). Cocaine stimulates the release of dopamine, the brain’s “feel good” neurotransmitter, which stimulates the brain’s reward center. A positive feedback loop causes cocaine addiction wherein the temporary high from dopamine reinforces more cocaine use.
Coke’s half-life can vary widely according to dosage, age, kidney/liver health, and concurrent substance use (sometimes unknowingly). Due to its metabolism in the liver and subsequent excretion via the kidneys, cocaine’s half-life can be extended by dysfunction in either organ.
Cocaine Half-Life
It takes around 75 minutes to metabolize and remove half of a single dose of cocaine. Cocaine enters the bloodstream regardless of how it is ingested. There, it undergoes metabolism in the liver, converting it to benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester, both inactive. Urine is the primary route for the elimination of these inert metabolites.
Cocaine in Your body
The length of time that it can be detected after usage also depends on the amount and frequency of cocaine use and the health of the liver and kidneys. Cocaine’s effects wear off quickly, but its metabolites can sometimes be discovered for weeks or months after use. This is why Benzoylecgonine, one of cocaine’s metabolites, is the substance most commonly detected in drug tests instead of cocaine itself.
Cocaine in Urine
Cocaine metabolites and the drug are detectable in urine for less than a day. But Benzoylecgonine remains detectable in the urine for at least a couple of days. Unlike cocaine, this metabolite is almost always present in the urine in detectable concentrations.
Damage to the kidneys can alter the volume of urine produced and the efficiency with which it is filtered. This can affect how long the effects of cocaine and Benzoylecgonine last in the body.
Cocaine in Your Blood
Blood levels of cocaine are detectable between 0.7 and 1.5 hours after usage. On the other hand, Benzoylecgonine can be monitored for up to 7.5 hours. Given how small the detection window is, this method may prove useful in determining whether or not the subject is currently under the influence of cocaine. Additionally, blood tests are less common than urine tests since they are more expensive and must be conducted by trained medical professionals in a laboratory setting.
Cocaine in Saliva
Because of its low price and the fact that it does not require specialized employees or testing facilities, this testing has become increasingly popular. One study found that cocaine may be identified in saliva for up to a day after administration. This indicates that recurrent usage of cocaine may result in a positive test long after the last dose was taken.
Cocaine in Breastmilk
Intense breast milk contamination by cocaine and its metabolites. Cocaine and its metabolite can be passed on to infants through breast milk, which can have dangerous effects. The amount and frequency of cocaine usage determine how long its traces remain in the system. If you take cocaine occasionally, you should wait at least 24 hours before breastfeeding.
To be eligible to breastfeed, the mother must have a negative cocaine test at delivery, have stopped using cocaine at least 90 days before delivery, be actively participating in a drug treatment program she intends to complete, and have the blessing of her substance use counselor, according to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
Conclusion
Those struggling with cocaine addiction or abuse shouldn’t have to go through it alone. At saving my tomorrow, we offer comprehensive care for those struggling with cocaine addiction, from medical detox through inpatient and outpatient programs.