Here's how long it takes cocaine to leave your body
Cocaine is made using coca leaves – and products such as talcum powder (Picture: Getty)

People snorting cocaine have probably at one point or another wondered how long it will stay in their system.

And the answer is… probably longer than you think.

Although the effects only last for around 30 minutes, users are actually looking at at least 150 times that length of time until it’s gone from their bodies.

Some people even have it in there for months.




What is cocaine?

A class A illegal stimulant. Meaning you’ll be in trouble if you have it on you, give it away or sell it.

It is extracted from coca leaves and often mixed with the likes of corn starch, talcum powder and even sugar.

Most often it is sniffed, so it is absorbed into the bloodstream through nasal tissues.

How long does it stay in your system?

The effects of cocaine usually wear off pretty quick… in about 20 to 30 minutes.

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However your urine will normally show the drug for between 12 hours and three days.


And those who take it more often will have it remain in their bloodstream for weeks – meaning specific tests will show it in there for up to three months.

What are the effects?

It makes people feel like they’re on top of the world – according to Frank.

Basically, those who do a line will probably feel wide awake, confident and ‘on top of their game’ – but it won’t last for long.

It also has less appealing effects including raised temperatures, fast heart rates and flu-like symptoms.

Narcotics police check quality of cocaine, Cochabamba - Bolivia
It’s a class A illegal drug (Picture: Getty)

Is it addictive?

In short, yes.

All types of cocaine are highly addictive – but because they reach the brain quicker, freebase and crack tend to have more of an effect.

What are the risks and side effects?

There are loads, basically.

The risks include death (yep) – because people often accidentally overdose or overheat… which causes convulsions, heart attacks and heart failure.

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Other risks include damaged cartilage, depression, anxiety, mental health problems, miscarriage and ulcers, to name a few.

There is also the real risk of picking up a form of heroin (white heroin), which can easily be mistaken for cocaine. Too much of this will likely cause respiratory failure – and possibly death.

What is a cocaine withdrawal?

Basically it’s when someone who has used a lot of cocaine cuts down or goes cold turkey.

There is a serious risk of suicide or overdose, so those addicted need to seek help.

Even those still taking the drug – just a smaller amount – are likely to suffer from cocaine withdrawal.

What are the other names for the drug?

It’s a drug of many identities, and everyone probably calls it something different.

The most common names though are: white, was, toot, stones, snow, rocks, Percy, pebbles, freebase, crack, coke, ching, Charlie, chang and C.