Cocaine is a highly addictive substance, one that, in some cases, can start causing tolerance and dependence after a single use. Some people can get addicted within a few hours, while others might take a few years. Unfortunately, getting rid of any cocaine in your system can take a long time as well.
It’s important that anyone struggling with cocaine addiction receive professional treatment, especially for the detox aspect of recovery, because cocaine addiction can cause several severe withdrawal symptoms, many of which are psychological. Beyond detox, you’ll need continuing support to manage your sustained recovery.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with cocaine addiction, you might wonder how long it lasts in your system.
How Long Does Cocaine Last?
So, how long does cocaine last? That varies depending on whether you have only used cocaine once and want to know how long it will last in your system, whether you are undergoing detox and want to know how long it will take to get out of your system, or whether you have finished detox and want to know how long it will take for your withdrawal symptoms to end.
In Your Body
Cocaine will show up in blood tests, urine tests, hair follicle tests, and saliva tests for a different amount of time.
- Blood: Between 3 hours and 36 hours
- Urine: Up to 3 days
- Saliva: 2-3 days
- Hair follicles: Up to 90 days
In general, however, while the effects might wear off rather quickly, the cocaine remains in your body for several days.
How long does cocaine last after one dose? 2-3 days before it is clear of your body.
During Detox
When you try to stop taking cocaine, but you have developed a tolerance or addiction, your body will start to go through withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms will start within 12 to 24 hours of your last dose. These symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Appetite changes
- Cravings
- Paranoia
- Poor concentration
- Depression
Unlike other substances like alcohol, cocaine withdrawal symptoms are mostly psychological and not physical.
This timeline tends to get worse during the first three to four days, after which some of the symptoms will subside. However, every case is slightly different depending on the amount of cocaine that was used, the length of addiction, frequency of use, metabolism, and other mental health conditions.
How long does cocaine last during detox? 7-10 days.
After Detox
Cocaine has the longest recovery time because the cravings can last up to six months after detox.
In some cases, people may experience protracted withdrawal symptoms, most commonly depression and anxiety. These symptoms can last for several weeks or months after detox.
Cravings are often the most difficult part of cocaine recovery because they can last the longest and can be the most challenging to manage and overcome. However, with the right treatment center, you can safely undergo your detox and receive continued support for managing protracted symptoms of cocaine.
How long does cocaine last after detox? Up to 6 months.
Getting Treatment for Cocaine Addiction in LA
At 5 Star, we specialize in recovery for your mind, body, and spirit. Located in Los Angeles, our services include a continuum of residential programs, including medically-monitored detoxification, where you can safely detox from cocaine addiction, and continued support thereafter, where you can get help managing cravings.
Our clients enjoy access to educational workshops, individual and group counseling, holistic programming, and personalized treatment. We know, too, that people from all walks of life deal with addiction from executives and celebrities to star athletes and hard working parents. That is why we provide discreet care for all.
- Dual Diagnosis: If you are struggling with cocaine addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, we can offer dual diagnosis treatment to tackle both conditions at the same time.
- Medically-Supervised Detox: If you are dealing with severe addiction to multiple substances like cocaine and opioids or cocaine and alcohol, we can offer medically supervised detox to ensure you are as safe and comfortable as possible during your withdrawal.
- Trauma-Informed Care: If you are struggling with trauma in your past, our trauma-informed care can provide wellness activities, family counseling, and cognitive behavioral therapy to build a strong foundation for your lasting recovery.
We are here to empower all of our clients with the tools and support they need to start a new chapter.
Contact our team today for help with cocaine addiction at 747-247-2027 or email us for an appointment at care@5starla.com.
