For a roadside drug test, which typically uses saliva swabs, cocaine can be detected for up to 24 to 48 hours after use. This is the usual detection window for saliva tests used at the roadside to assess recent drug use and impairment
. More specifically:
- Saliva (oral fluid) tests detect cocaine for about 2 to 3 days after use, but roadside tests focus on recent use, usually within 1-2 days
- Urine tests , which may be used after a positive roadside test for confirmation, can detect cocaine and its metabolites for up to 3 to 4 days , and longer for heavy or chronic users
- Blood tests detect cocaine for a shorter time, typically up to 1-2 days after use
- Hair follicle tests can detect cocaine use for up to 90 days but are not used for roadside testing
In summary, for roadside saliva drug tests, cocaine is usually detectable for about 1 to 2 days , with some variation depending on individual metabolism and usage patterns. If further testing is done at a police station, urine or blood tests can detect cocaine for several days longer
