Cocaine typically stays in the body and can be detected by drug tests for varying lengths of time depending on the type of test and usage patterns:

• Blood and saliva: Cocaine can be detected for up to 2 days (48 hours) after use.
• Urine: Cocaine metabolites, especially benzoylecgonine, can be detected for up to 3 to 5 days after a single use; for heavy or chronic users, detection can extend up to 7 to 14 days.
• Hair: Cocaine can be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days (3 months) or longer.

The drug itself has a short half-life of about 1.5 hours, but its metabolite benzoylecgonine has a longer half-life (around 5.5 to 12 hours), which is why tests target the metabolite rather than cocaine directly. Factors such as dosage, frequency of use, method of ingestion, individual metabolism, and whether cocaine is mixed with other substances (e.g., alcohol) influence how long it remains detectable. Chronic or heavy use leads to longer detection windows due to accumulation and slower elimination from the body

. In summary:

Test Type| Detection Window After Last Use
---|---
Blood| Up to 2 days
Saliva| Up to 2 days
Urine| 3–5 days (single use), up to 14 days (heavy use)
Hair| Up to 90 days (3 months)

This timeline reflects typical detection periods but can vary based on individual and usage factors