Individuals with a faster metabolic rate may eliminate cocaine more quickly than those with a slower metabolism. Younger individuals tend to have faster metabolisms, which can lead to quicker elimination of the drug. On the other hand, older individuals may process cocaine at a slower rate, prolonging its effects on the body.

Concurrent use of other substances or medications can also affect how long cocaine remains in the body. For example, some cocaine users use the drug with heroin and alcohol, both of which are stored in different regions of the body. This may lead to an experience where the user experiences the effects of the different drugs at different times, due to uneven rates of absorption.

Cocaine is absorbed at different rates depending on the method someone uses to consume it, so it takes different lengths of time to eliminate itself from the body. For example, smoking cocaine leads to a low rate of absorption (despite a more intense high). So cocaine is more quickly eliminated from the person’s body than if they had snorted or injected it.

The liver is responsible for metabolizing many substances, including cocaine. If the liver is not functioning optimally due to conditions like liver disease or damage, the breakdown of cocaine may be impaired. This can lead to a longer presence of the drug in the body.

There are several tests available to detect the presence of cocaine in the body.

• Blood: Blood tests may be conducted in certain situations, such as emergency room visits. These can detect cocaine use up to a day after last use, though sometimes the window can be shorter. These tests are more invasive than urine tests but can provide a more immediate and accurate result.
• Urine: Urine tests are commonly used due to their non-invasive nature, and can typically detect cocaine use up to three to five days after last use. These tests work by detecting the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in the urine sample.
• Saliva: Saliva tests are less common but can detect recent cocaine use, usually within one to three days after last use. These tests are non-invasive and easy to administer, making them useful in various settings.
• Hair Follicle: Hair tests have the longest detection window, as they can identify cocaine use for up to 90 days. When cocaine is ingested, it gets metabolized and circulated throughout the body, including the hair follicles. As hair grows, these metabolites become trapped in the hair shaft, allowing for the long-term detection of drug use. Hair tests can be used in forensic and workplace settings, but can also be prohibitively expensive for certain work settings.