The effects of cocaine typically last a short time, varying by the method of use:
- Smoking or intravenous injection: effects begin almost immediately and last about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Snorting: effects start in 3 to 5 minutes and last about 45 to 90 minutes.
- Oral ingestion: effects take about 10 minutes to start and can last up to 90 minutes
Cocaine produces a brief but intense high, often leading users to take multiple doses to prolong the effect
. Regarding how long cocaine stays in the body and can be detected:
- Blood and saliva: up to 2 days after use.
- Urine: typically 2 to 4 days, but can be longer (up to 14 days) in chronic users.
- Hair: up to 90 days or more
Detection times depend on factors such as frequency of use, metabolism, amount taken, and purity of the drug
. In summary, the cocaine high lasts from about 15 minutes to 90 minutes depending on use method, while the drug and its metabolites can be detected in the body for days to weeks after use.
