Detection times

Detection times for cocaine – saliva, urine, blood, hair

Cocaine has a short half-life and is broken down into benzoylecgonine – this is the metabolite measured in urine tests. The detection window is relatively narrow compared with cannabis.

Detection window

  • Saliva test

    Detection window
    5–48 hours

  • Urine – rapid test

    Detection window
    1–3 daysMeasures benzoylecgonine, the cocaine metabolite

  • Urine – lab-verified

    Detection window
    2–4 days (regular use up to 7 days)

  • Blood

    Detection window
    Up to 24 hours

  • Hair

    Detection window
    Up to 90 days (3 cm hair segment)

Times are approximate and vary with dose, frequency, individual metabolism and cut-off value.

Factors that affect detection time

  • Amount and frequency of use
  • Purity
  • Urine pH
  • Combined with alcohol – forms cocaethylene, longer detection

Related

Frequently asked questions about cocaine

The main metabolite of cocaine. It is what drug tests look for – not cocaine itself, since the body breaks cocaine down quickly.

Dig deeper by substance

Substance-specific detection times

Detailed detection windows, contributing factors, and frequently asked questions per substance.

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Detection times for cocaine – saliva, urine, blood, hair