How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System: What You Need to Know

Cocaine addiction is a severe worldwide health issue that jeopardizes a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and psychological health. Recognizing the problem is the first step toward recovery. Someone needs to acknowledge that they may be addicted to cocaine and that they will require assistance to get better. After identifying the issue, the next step is to consult a professional at Resilient Recovery to learn more about the illness, how it impacts their lives, and all treatment options.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the South American coca shrub and combined with a variety of other compounds to create a complete powder known as cocaine hydrochloride. Cocaine has two types. Powder cocaine is frequently mixed with water and administered intravenously, but crack cocaine, which appears as crystals, is most typically smoked. In some situations, cocaine users may combine it with other drugs, such as amphetamines, to boost its strength.

Because of its effects on the brain, cocaine is illegal and highly addictive. It makes people feel euphoric, energized, mentally aware, talkative, and sensitive to light, sound, and touch. Although cocaine has specific established medical uses, such as some procedures on the eyes, ears, and throat, it also has a significant risk of misuse since it is frequently used recreationally.

According to studies, cocaine users are more likely to develop a variety of physiological and psychological problems, including heart disease, neurological disorders, psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, and even addiction.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?

The length of time or exactly how long cocaine stays in one’s body depends on several factors. These include the amount of cocaine or the size of the dose, the speed of a person’s metabolism and whether it is their first cocaine use or a frequent user. Cocaine has a short half-life of about an hour. This means that within an hour of taking a dose, the body has metabolized half of the original dose. Within a few days, the body metabolizes all of the cocaine, and it is no longer present in the system at all. However, the initial half-life may be several hours for other people. 

Some of the tests for cocaine detection in a person’s system include:

• Urine Drug Test: Similar to powder cocaine, crack cocaine can be detected in urine tests for two to four days following the last use.
• Blood Drug Test: This test can detect cocaine in the blood up to 12 to 48 hours after consumption, which is similar to powder cocaine’s detection window.
• Saliva Drug Test: Like blood tests, saliva drug tests for crack cocaine have a brief detection window; the drug is usually detectable for one to two days following use.
• Hair Follicle Test: Crack cocaine hair follicle tests are appropriate for identifying long-term drug use patterns because they provide a longer detection window of up to 90 days following the last use.

Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction

Some people believe that cocaine use can seem harmless when first used. However, they do not know that it can quickly develop into a potentially life-threatening condition that can significantly affect health and all aspects of life. The most common signs and symptoms include:

Health Complications

Cocaine is a drug that has the potential to harm many body systems and functions seriously. Cocaine addicts frequently suffer from cardiovascular damage, which raises their risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as blood vessel constriction in their lungs, which can lead to several respiratory ailments, including asthma, acute respiratory distress, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).

Cocaine also damages specific mucous membranes, soft tissues, and cartilage in the nose because it is frequently snorted through, which can result in issues with the sense of smell as a whole.

Changes in Appearance

Aside from internal health complications, people who use cocaine also tend to develop more external or visible changes in their bodies. From changes in skin, hair, teeth, and muscles to changes in bones, cocaine can subtly and dramatically affect appearance.

As the largest organ in the body, the skin can show signs of underlying health problems. Individuals who use cocaine face a variety of dermatological issues, including dermatitis, eczema, allergies and even necrosis. 

In some cases, skin infections may occur and worsen because the weakened immune system under the influence of cocaine makes it more difficult to fight off these infections. In addition, people with cocaine addiction often experience hair loss and severe dental disease, not because of the substance itself but because of the stress that cocaine use brings.

Behavioral and Mood Indicators of Cocaine Addiction

Behavioral health and mood indicators become more noticeable as cocaine addiction worsens. Hyperactivity and euphoria are typical side effects of cocaine use. Although the intense happiness the drug produces might seem normal, it frequently develops for no apparent reason. People also become hyperactive during these feel-good times.

They struggle to sit still, have trouble staying still, and often exhibit restlessness. They also have a propensity to change in tone and become very talkative. 

A notable alteration in sleeping and eating habits is another behavioral indicator. The decrease in appetite that cocaine users experience can result in weight loss. In addition, they might feel exhausted and have dark circles under their eyes because of insomnia.

Changes in Personality

Cocaine misuse can cause changes in personality because of the drug’s physiological and psychological effects. Among them are a few:

• Loss of Interest in Activities: When cocaine use intensifies into compulsive behavior, the user may become less interested in activities they once enjoyed because of the euphoria they experience.
• Secretive: Because cocaine is an illegal substance, people constantly try to conceal their habit and the risky behaviors that go along with it.
• Social Withdrawal: People who abuse cocaine frequently become avoidant or socially reserved when interacting with others, which ultimately results in increased drug use as a coping mechanism for feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Psychological Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine overstimulation and prolonged use can change the chemistry of the brain’s pleasure-related receptors. This gives one a positive feeling right away, which leads to dependence. 

Numerous psychological symptoms, including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, restlessness, psychosis (hallucinations and delusions), and paranoia, may become more prevalent as cocaine use increases. 

When cocaine dependence impacts significant aspects of life, the crippling effects of the addiction itself are compounded by the psychological symptoms that accompany it, making treatment even more challenging.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment Options 

A thorough intervention plan that combines several methods, from detoxification to aftercare, is used to treat cocaine addiction in patients. Specialists and experts oversee these therapies to guarantee efficacy and enhance recovery.

Detox

Often called detoxification, it involves helping people control how their bodies react to cocaine intoxication, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. It is regarded as the most challenging phase of the recovery process and is a crucial component of the all-encompassing treatment program.

Due to the possibility of severe withdrawal symptoms following cessation of cocaine use, the patient is continuously observed by medical professionals during the detoxification process. After the cocaine detox is finished, the medical professional assesses the patient’s condition and suggests whether further treatments can now be given.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

An intervention that offers a structured setting to people seeking to overcome their cocaine use problem is residential treatment or inpatient rehabilitation. During the treatment, inpatient rehab requires the patient to remain in the facility for several days or months. Residential treatment helps people with cocaine compulsion get ready for life after treatment. This includes teaching them how to manage triggers, the value of sobriety programs, and how to avoid relapsing.

Aftercare

For those who have cocaine addiction, rehabilitation is only the beginning of their recovery journey. Aftercare is a component of comprehensive treatment that aims to support long-term recovery and avert potential relapse. It’s a continuous intervention that gives them coping mechanisms for stress, triggers, and cravings they might experience following treatment.

Get Rid of the Effects of Cocaine in Your System at Resilient Recovery

While it takes time to break the negative cycle of problematic cocaine use, seeking treatment provides relief and a means of self-discovery and personal growth. 

At Resilient Recovery, we recognize that getting help from a professional can be challenging, but we also have faith in your ability to recover and prosper. Our caring staff is prepared to support you at every stage.

If you would like more information about how we have helped countless people overcome their cocaine addiction, consider connecting with us.