Our Friquently Asked Questions
How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Your System
- Most people feel the effects of cocaine anywhere from 3.3 to 5.5 hours after taking it.
- If someone has used cocaine only once, it’s usually detectable in urine for around three to five days.
- For someone who takes a larger dose of cocaine or uses it occasionally, it may show up in urine for three to seven days.
- For frequent or heavy cocaine users, a urine test can show the drug for five to 14 days after the last dose.
Cocaine can stay in your system anywhere from 3 to 5 hours after you take it but cocaine also has an active metabolite called benzoylecgonine, and that takes longer to be expelled from the body completely. It’s usually between one and two days before this metabolite leaves the system.
Estimates show that when someone takes cocaine, about 40% hydrolyzes to form benzoylecgonine. Then, another 40% is metabolized by the liver, producing ecgonine methyl ester. Cocaine has a relatively short half-life of around an hour, while benzoylecgonine has a half-life of around six hours.
Methods Of Ingestion
The method of ingestion is another important factor in how long it will take for cocaine to leave your system. If you inject cocaine, you may get a very fast high that lasts for a shorter period of time, which means the substance leaves the body faster. When someone injects cocaine, the half-life is around five minutes, which means it would clear from the system within 30 minutes.
For people who snort cocaine, a high may last from 10 to 30 minutes, and it would take just under three hours for it to be completely eliminated in most cases. If you smoke freebase cocaine, the half-life is around 45 minutes. It could take more than four hours for the freebase version to be eliminated from their body.
Cocaine can also be ingested orally. With this method, it can take an hour to feel the effects of the drug, and they may last for 2 hours. The elimination half-life is about an hour, and it could take up to 5 hours for it to be entirely eliminated. It’s important to remember that even after cocaine is eliminated, the body produces active metabolites from the cocaine that can still create effects and be detected for a long period after use.
Can Cocaine Kill You Instantly
Using too much cocaine at one time, known as an overdose, can be fatal. Out of all illegal drugs, cocaine is the most likely to lead to an emergency room visit. Almost 14,000 drug overdose deaths resulted from cocaine use in 2017.
- Cocaine is a stimulant that can cause immediate death.
- Deaths most commonly occur through an overdose.
- Cocaine overdose can cause heart attack, stroke, or seizure.
- The most common signs of cocaine overdose include chest pain and rapid heartbeat.
- If a cocaine overdose is suspected, contact emergency medical help immediately.
Deaths from cocaine are most commonly caused by:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Seizures
While cocaine increases dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to create euphoric effects while boosting confidence and focus, it also stimulates the cardiovascular system. These cardiovascular effects are by far the most dangerous.
Signs of a Cocaine Overdose
Cocaine intoxication and overdose are serious risks when abusing the drug. Intoxication comes when the person feels high but ill at the same time. Overdose is more extreme than intoxication and can be deadly. Signs of a cocaine overdose include:
- Chest pain
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- High body temperature or severe sweating
- Bluish color of the skin
- Difficulty breathing
A cocaine overdose is a medical emergency. Although dangerous, it may be treatable if recognized early. An overdose can even occur the first time someone uses cocaine. Seek medical attention immediately if a cocaine overdose is suspected.
Can Cocaine Cause Kidney Stone
Yes, cocaine can indirectly cause kidney stones because the drug impacts your body’s fluid level. Your kidneys need a specific amount of fluid to function correctly and prevent kidney stones. Cocaine causes the kidneys to work harder, thus increasing the likelihood that kidney stones develop. Additionally, cocaine use is known to be toxic and can affect kidney health in other ways.
Kidney stones are uncomfortable experiences that most people would like to avoid. Cocaine use can increase the chance that kidney stones develop. Consider the following key points regarding cocaine and kidney stones:
- Cocaine can indirectly cause kidney stones
- Kidneys are the body’s natural filter for toxins
- Cocaine dehydrates the body and increases blood pressure
- Your kidney must be functioning properly to stop the formation of kidney stones
- Drink eight, 8-oz. glasses of water each day to help prevent kidney stones
- Eat a diet low in salt and high in calcium to help prevent kidney stones
How Does Cocaine Cause Kidney Stones?
Cocaine causes kidney stones in two ways:
- The first is by increasing how much urine your kidneys produce. This increase is why a person using cocaine urinates more than usual.
- Second, cocaine causes your kidneys to release chemical signals that increase your blood pressure. Cocaine does this by tightening your blood vessels, which causes your blood to push harder against your vessels and heart. Your kidneys then have to filter a faster-moving, thicker fluid and are exposed to more harmful toxins in a smaller amount of time.
Ultimately, the two impacts cause both mechanical and chemical damage to your kidneys. Your kidney must be functioning properly to prevent kidney stones, which it can’t with these stressors.
Does Cocaine Cause Infertility
Yes, cocaine use can cause fertility issues for both men and women. Cocaine can disrupt the ovulation cycle for women and mens’ sperm counts. It is also known to cause congenital disabilities (birth defects) and miscarriages when used during pregnancy. To avoid these fertility-related complications, expectant mothers and their partners are advised not to use harmful substances like cocaine.
Several key takeaways about cocaine use and fertility include:
- Cocaine can cause infertility in both men and women
- Cocaine has been shown to lower sperm count in men
- Cocaine increases prolactin levels during use and withdrawal. Prolactin is a hormone that alters the menstrual cycle and can stop ovulation.
- Never use cocaine while pregnant, it can cause permanent congenital disabilities (birth defects) or miscarriage