Cocaine is a highly addictive and powerful stimulant drug. Many users become addicted to cocaine after their first use. The drug produces an intense and pleasurable high that many users claim is “God-like.” While the effects of cocaine are pleasurable and create tremendous cravings for repeated usage, continuous cocaine use negatively impacts the user’s physical and mental health. The consequences of cocaine use can become life-threatening. If you use cocaine regularly, the first question you may ask yourself is how long does cocaine last in your system.
This article details how long cocaine stay in your system, the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal, and the consequences of having cocaine in the body. If you are struggling with cocaine addiction, call Find Luxury Rehabs toll-free today. We work with a wide network of quality drug rehabs that feature evidence-based treatment programs and experienced addiction professionals who will help you kick your cocaine habit once and for all.
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How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?
To answer the question of how long cocaine stay in your system, you first need to understand the concept of a drug’s half-life. Half-life is defined as the time it takes for the amount of a drug’s active substance in your body to reduce by half. This depends on how the body processes and gets rid of the drug. On average, the half-life of cocaine is roughly 1 ½ hours to 6 hours in the blood plasma. The duration of cocaine’s half-life is dependent on the purity of the drug, age, sex, and if other substances are being used along with cocaine.
On average, cocaine stays in your bloodstream for up to 2 days, in the urine for up to 3 days, in your saliva for 1-3 days, and in your hair follicles for up to 90 days. These time frames can differ due to the following factors:
The amount of cocaine taken – The more cocaine you have taken, the longer it can stay in your body.
Frequency – The more frequently you take cocaine, the longer it can stay in your body.
Route of Administration – Snorting cocaine may stay in your system for longer than cocaine if it is smoked.
Are You Drinking Alcohol? – If you have been drinking alcohol at the same time as taking cocaine, cocaine will last longer in your body.
Weight and Metabolism – If you have higher body fat content, the longer the cocaine can stay in your system.
The Effects of Cocaine
Cocaine use has adverse short and long-term effects. The most common short-term effects of cocaine use include the following:
- Constricted blood vessels
- Increased body temperature
- Increased heart rate and respiration
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Anxiety
Long-term effects of the drug often include increased panic attacks, paranoia, psychosis, and visual and audio hallucinations. Chronic cocaine use also causes tears and ulcerations in the gastrointestinal tract, malnourishment and users run a higher risk of suffering heart attacks and strokes. When cocaine use is stopped altogether, withdrawal symptoms quickly appear. These include depression, anxiety, cravings, suicidal thoughts, muscle aches, tremors, and restlessness.
If you are unable to curb your cocaine use, finding professional help becomes a top priority. When searching for a treatment program, you need to find evidence-based programs that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Cocaine treatment programs should feature the following components:
- Medical detoxification
- Individual, group, and family therapy programs
- 12-step help
- Coping and living skills training
- Medication management (if needed)
- Dual diagnosis programs
- Multiple levels of care
Do You Need Help Right Now? Call Find Luxury Rehabs
If you are losing your battle with cocaine addiction, today is the day you seek help. Finding the right rehab that fits your needs is daunting, but Find Luxury Rehabs can help! We work with a vast network of top-tier rehab facilities that feature effective programs, state-of-the-art amenities, and expert help with years of proven experience in helping people from all walks of life get clean and sober. Are you ready to take back control of your life? Call Find Luxury Rehabs to learn more about the types of drug rehab that may be best for you and how to find drug and alcohol rehab centers near you.
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