If you’re wondering, how long does cocaine stay in your body?, you’ve come to the right place. The answer depends on a variety of factors determined by the person and their history of cocaine use. Thus, if you need to know how long cocaine will remain in your system and show up in drug tests, you’ll need a bit more info. Let’s talk about what you can expect according to a few key details about cocaine.
What Is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a powerful psychostimulant drug that derives from the South American coca plant. Cocaine is illegal in the United States because of its dangerous and addictive properties. Yet, it gets smuggled into the country and sold on the black market. Also called “blow,” “coke,” “dust,” or “bump,” it is a popular recreational drug amongst young people in particular. Cocaine can be purchased in multiple forms but is mainly used as powder. Crack cocaine is powder cocaine that has been treated until it forms rock-like chunks. Notably, crack cocaine is smoked while powder cocaine is snorted. Yet, both produce a powerful high.
Is Cocaine Addictive?
Cocaine is a highly addictive substance. It targets your neurochemistry to influence psychological factors like pleasure, willpower, and motivation. In the same way, cocaine actually modifies your brain chemistry over multiple times using the drug. Specifically, cocaine targets the limbic system in the brain, which is responsible for emotions and behaviors. Essentially, cocaine will have a hold over you as long as you continue to take the drug. Yet, stopping on your own is incredibly difficult—it’s more than a matter of willpower! Because cocaine acts on the brain to create habit formation, your body will crave more once the effects wear off. Notably, cocaine addiction has psychological and physical effects on you, so you can’t ignore the pull to take your next dose.
Can You Overdose on Cocaine?
Yes, it is very possible to overdose on cocaine. Tragically, this can lead to severe health issues and death. Nearly 57,500 people died from simulant overdose in the U.S. in 2022, including cocaine and other psychostimulants. Once someone is addicted to the substance, they will crave more and require larger doses. Thus, overdose becomes more likely.
Statistics About Cocaine Use in America
Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs, as shown by statistics on cocaine abuse and addiction. Why is cocaine so addictive? The more a person uses cocaine, the faster their brain becomes dependent. Yet, a large number of people experiment with cocaine, believing it won’t have a hold on them. Approximately 41 million people aged 18 and above have used cocaine at some point.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA, people between the ages of 18-25 are the most at risk of developing cocaine addiction. This is likely because cocaine is a popular party drug that gets offered to young adults at social events. This age demographic is also most at risk from regular cocaine use on their developing brains. Unfortunately, cocaine use has long-term consequences on the brain and body that often aren’t well understood by individuals.
How Is Cocaine Metabolized?
Drug metabolism refers to the way substances are broken down by the body and removed from the system. If you’re dependent, you will experience cravings and the pull to take more when cocaine is in your body. Your body metabolizes cocaine through the liver and blood. Thus, cocaine elimination times vary. But it can be detected in a variety of ways, including urine, blood, saliva, and hair.
How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your Body For a Urine Test?
The exact answer for how long does cocaine stay in urine depends on how much the person took, how frequently, and their size. Yet, a general answer for how long it will show in cocaine drug tests is 5-14 days. That is to say, a small or first time dose may show up for about 2-5 days. A heavier dose or longer time use could still be detectable for 14 days in the urine.
How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your Body For a Blood Test?
Similarly, the exact results of cocaine in blood will depend on the same factors. Yet, bloodwork will likely show cocaine in the system for about 48 hours after first taking it.
How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your Body For a Saliva Test?
Typically, how long cocaine can be detected in saliva is about the same as in blood. Expect to have your saliva show traces of cocaine for up to 48 hours after taking cocaine.
How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your Body For a Hair Test?
Cocaine in hair is detectable for the longest span. Based on your hair’s growth cycle, traces of cocaine may be detectable for 3 months after your dose. Identically, the exact length of time will be dependent on your body composition, genetics, and history of cocaine use.
Factors That Affect How Long Cocaine Stays in the Body
It’s difficult to pinpoint how long cocaine is present in your body because it depends on you and your circumstances. Some of the factors that influence your specific cocaine detection times include:
- Size (height and weight)
- Metabolism
- Genetics
- When you last took cocaine
- How much cocaine do you take
- How often have you’ve taken cocaine
- Severity of your cocaine addiction
- What form of cocaine do you use
- Your overall health
Addiction
Are you struggling with an addiction to substances like drugs and alcohol?
Royal Life Centers at Cascade Heights Recovery is here to help you recover. Because we care.
What Is Cocaine Addiction Treatment Like?
Treatment for cocaine addiction follows a straightforward recovery approach as guests move through the levels of care. These are medical detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and aftercare. Each level is designated to provide specific types of support as individuals move throughout their healing process. Further, every guest to our Royal Life Centers facilities receives a customized service plan outlining their treatment. One thing to note is we offer a holistic-focused recovery program. This means our programming aims to focus on total body healing that touches the mind, body, and spirit. Thus, individuals who complete cocaine rehab leave treatment with whole body healing and preparedness for the future.
If this sounds like what you’re looking for from cocaine addiction treatment, these are the levels of care you’d enter.
Medical Detox for Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Treatment for cocaine dependency, along with other drug addictions, begins with medical detox to remove substances from the body. Unfortunately, detox is one of the most uncomfortable stages of recovery, as your body will be undergoing cocaine withdrawal. Detoxing on your own can be painful and dangerous, but professional detox in a treatment center is safe and secure. We are able to provide guests with comfort medications, nutrients, and fluids to replenish them and alleviate their discomfort.
Typically, the cocaine detox timeline lasts between 4-8 days for the actual detoxification. Sometimes, the whole early stage of rehab is referred to as detox. However, at Cascade Heights, detoxification is considered one level of care. Exactly how many days it takes to detox cocaine from the body depends. Factors include how much you took, how long you’ve used cocaine, your size, and your genetics.
Inpatient Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Inpatient treatment is the first major level of care, where individuals live in a center for anywhere from weeks to months. This is a crucial step in building the foundation that will support them for the rest of their recovery. Because guests are coming to rehab from a place of former addiction, they must do the deep inner work. Notably, guests receive around-the-clock medical and professional support in inpatient care. They attend daily therapy and counseling sessions, both individually and in groups. During inpatient treatment, guests unpack their addiction and unhealthy habits. They develop trust, self-resilience, and personal motivation to heal.
Outpatient Cocaine Addiction Treatment
The next level of care is outpatient treatment, when clients move out of the center and gain more independence. Because they’ve done the healing work, they’re ready to take on more control in their sober journey. Still, they remain closely supported in treatment. During the outpatient level of care, guests cut back their daily and weekly hours spent in therapy and counseling. Although they still learn important sobriety skills, they also have more freedom to focus on concrete future goals. For example, one focus in outpatient treatment is working with your case manager to fulfill your needs. These may include working towards securing housing or jobs, or completing training courses.
Aftercare for Cocaine Addiction
Aftercare is the final, ongoing stage of treatment, when an individual has completed programming and returns to “real life.” Although they now have a toolbox full of tricks and skills to maintain their sobriety, everyone still needs support. Thus, our Royal Life Center alumni stay part of the family for life. We are always available to help our graduates with anything they need. Additionally, we connect them to a variety of help sources, including resources, support groups, alumni events, and Sober Living houses.
Therapies for Cocaine Addiction Recovery
As part of our holistic approach to recovery, every guest of Royal Life Centers attends daily therapy sessions. These include both traditional, evidence-based therapy and experiential holistic therapy. We believe the combination of both therapy approaches has comprehensive benefits for the body, mind, and spirit. Consecutively, both therapies help individuals achieve greater healing, self-resilience, and motivation to stay sober.
Evidence-Based Psychotherapy
Evidence-based psychotherapy refers to traditional therapy for mental health disorders, substance use disorders, behavioral disorders, and more. Therefore, traditional therapy and counseling are imperative for all people attending rehab. Many of our guests struggle with co-occurring disorders, such as a cocaine addiction and mental illness, like PTSD. For those with dual diagnoses, therapy is crucial because it addresses the connection between issues. However, addiction and substance abuse are a traumatizing and self-shifting experience. Every person who enters rehab for substance use brings a background of pain, trauma, or poor mental health that is unpacked in therapy.
Some of the traditional psychotherapies we offer through Cascade Heights are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT)
- Exposure therapy
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Holistic Recovery Options
Holistic therapy is experiential therapy that addresses the whole self, not simply the mind or body. Individuals who engage in holistic recovery options find greater healing in their identity, relationships, physical health, and mental health. Often, holistic therapies combine emotional work with physical connection. Depending on the activity, there may be a psychotherapy element combined with alternative healing methods.
Some of the holistic therapy options we offer at Cascade Heights are:
- Equine-assisted therapy
- Biofeedback
- Art therapy
- Massage therapy
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Outdoor adventure therapy
- Music therapy
- Sound baths
- Nature therapy
- Journaling therapy
We encourage our guests to try multiple holistic recovery options to see what resonates with them. Often, it is during holistic therapy that guests experience the most breakthrough. We invite you to try our therapies by reaching out to our admissions team.
Finding a Cocaine Addiction Treatment Facility
You came here wondering, How long does cocaine stay in your body? The answer depends on a few factors. What remains consistent is the devastating results cocaine addiction has on your life. Because of how strong and addictive the drug is, there is no escaping its pull on you. Undeniably, the best way to achieve lifetime sobriety is through a professional treatment facility. No matter what you struggle with; cocaine addiction, heroin addiction, alcohol addiction, or anything else. We can help.
Our cocaine addiction track includes a comprehensive mix of substance abuse therapy, counseling, and medication management. Yet, your recovery plan will be entirely tailored to you. Please reach out so we can learn about your mental health treatment background, needs, and drug and alcohol addiction recovery goals.
- Drug Overdose Deaths: Facts and Figures – National Institute on Drug Abuse
- The Five Most Addictive Substances in the World | CNN – National Library of Medicine
- The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction – PubMed Central
- Trends of Cocaine Use and Manifestations in Hospitalized Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study – National Library of Medicine
