There are two words that will strike fear into the heart of every user: Drug test. Whether you have to take one for work or for court, if you’ve been consuming controlled substances, the idea of a test is enough to trigger full-fledged panic.
What Should You Expect?
Drug tests vary when it comes to how sensitive they are. The types of drugs in your system can affect the test outcome as well. Some can identify if you have used a few weeks ago, and others can only show up within a few days. Cocaine can clear out of your system in just a few days, while marijuana lingers much longer, for example. If you’re a heavy user, though, drugs like cocaine could stay in your system for several weeks.
Cocaine and other drugs can be tested for in a number of ways. The most common is a urine test, but some will opt for a saliva test. Parole and probation officers tend to use urine tests, because they can tell down to the microgram how much of a drug is in your system.
Urine Drug Testing
Urine testing is the most common (and cheapest) type of test. For that reason, it’s a favorite of employers and the court system. It is extremely accurate and likely to share all your secrets when it comes to drug use.
Saliva/ Mouth Swab for Drug Testing
A cotton swab collects genetic material on the inside of your cheek for testing. These kinds of tests can usually detect cocaine for up to 72 hours after use. Heavier users may have traces of cocaine linger for longer than that. Saliva tests actually have the ability to differentiate between drug use that is more recent and drug use that happened more than 12 hours ago.
Hair Drug Testing
Testing a hair follicle can detect drug use for up to 90 days after use. That’s longer than a urine test, and that’s why some companies will opt for this type of test. It’s also one that courts may order when determining custody arrangements. If you’re ordered to take a follicle drug test, you’ll likely have a lock of hair snipped off and sent to a lab.
Blood Testing for Drug Use
Blood tests are the most invasive type of drug testing and they also offer a shorter window in which they can detect drug use. Depending on the substance, it may be undetectable in a matter of days. For that reason, blood testing is generally only used in a case where someone believes you are currently under the influence.
How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?
There are several factors that make cocaine linger inside your body. How much and how often you use is the most obvious indicator, because when there is more cocaine in your system it will take longer to disappear. At the same time, people with higher body fat keep drugs in their system longer. In addition, alcohol can bind to cocaine and other drugs, making it harder to push it out of your body. Finally, the method of ingestion — snorting, smoking, injecting, or putting it in your mouth — affects how quickly it leaves your system, too.
Need Help Passing a Drug Test?
The best way to pass a drug test is to keep drugs out of your system to start. If you have a test coming up and you know you’re going to fail, proactively seeking addiction treatment may help you avoid the negative repercussions of a failure.
If this is the case, you may want to check out some of the programs we offer at Transformations Care. Not every program is confined to detox and residential. In fact, we offer things you can do totally remotely, like telehealth. There are also many outpatient and nighttime outpatient programs that you can participate in while still living at home.
We won’t force you to get help, but if you want to talk about your options give us a call. Let’s be real: If you’re reading this because you’re worried about a drug test, then you probably already know your using is becoming an issue. There’s so much freedom in not having to worry about this kind of stuff. We know because we’ve been there, and we can help you get clean and sober for good, too. Call us today: 424.339.0965
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Getting Clean & Sober at Home
Today, more than 75% of hospitals and healthcare providers offer access to telehealth treatment, with 29 states having gone so far as to enact telehealth parity laws, which force insurance companies to reimburse patients for telehealth at the same rates as they would for in-person treatment.
If you’ve been thinking about getting clean and sober, or if you’ve been wanting to work on and strengthen the recovery you already have, it’s never been easier to do it through telehealth.
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