When cocaine is ingested through the nose, you can feel it for up to 30 minutes. However, how long the effects of cocaine last changes depending on how it’s taken.
While cocaine is typically snorted, it can also be smoked or injected, which alters how it affects your body. In fact, there are different impacts on health to consider with each way of ingesting the drug, alongside how long the individual effects last.
By the end of this blog, you’ll know how long the effects of cocaine last, how long it stays in your system, the effects of using cocaine, and when cocaine use might lead to addiction.
Duration of Cocaine Effects by Method
Exactly how long the effects of cocaine last differs depending on how it’s taken – snorted, injected, smoked, or rubbed onto the gum.
Methods that get the drug into your bloodstream faster also mean it’ll wear off faster, too. While not everyone will have the same cocaine high, there are general amounts of time you can expect the effects to last.
How Long Do Effects of Cocaine Last? | |
How it’s Taken | How Long Effects Last |
Snorting | 15 to 30 minutes |
Injecting | 5 to 15 minutes |
Smoking | 5 to 10 minutes |
Gumming | 15 to 30 minutes |
How much of the drug you take can vary the length of the effects, too, as can whether you took any other substances or alcohol before taking cocaine.
How Long Does it Take to Feel the Effects of Cocaine?
It all depends on how long it takes the drug to reach the bloodstream. Once it’s in your system, the effects will start to become noticeable.
While this can change for each person, generally it takes the following amount of time to feel the effects:
- Snorting: 1 to 3 minutes
- Injecting: 1 to 3 minutes
- Smoking: 10 to 15 seconds
- Gumming: 10 to 15 seconds
How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?
Even though the effects of cocaine last for less than an hour on average, the drug itself can stay in your system for much longer.
Even if the effects have worn off, the drug can still be detected in your system for days or even months after you’ve taken it. Detection times differ depending on the test, but in general, you can expect the following:
- Blood Tests: up to 2 days
- Saliva Swabs: up to 2 days
- Urine Samples: up to 4 days
- Hair Follicles: up to 3 months
But why is it still detectable after the effects have worn off? Well, when you take cocaine, your body starts to break it down into metabolites. It does this to make the drug easier to get rid of through urine.
However, metabolites can last longer in the body than the drug itself can. As such, when drug tests are conducted, it’s often the metabolites that are being looked for.
What Are the Effects of Using Cocaine?
Some people take cocaine to experience the high of the drug, but cocaine addiction can have serious implications on your mental and physical health.
A cocaine high is an immediate rush, which many describe as a feeling of ‘euphoria’. It’s common to experience a sense of immortality, as though you’re invincible or excessively strong. Plus, people often become talkative and confident as well.
While these sensations can feel ‘good’ in the moment, they’re short-lived. As a result, it can lead to taking more of the drug to experience the same effects, risking addiction.
When your body becomes addicted to cocaine, it can have serious effects on your health, including:
- Hypothermia
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Insomnia
- Nosebleeds
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Anxiety
- Depression
The effects of cocaine can increase your risk of developing life-changing, long-term health conditions, such as:
- Brain damage
- Saddle nose deformity
- Epilepsy
- Strokes
- Organ failure
- Cardiovascular disease
In fact, some studies have also linked cocaine addiction to an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s.
Is Cocaine Comedown the Same as Withdrawal?
No, cocaine comedown is not the same as withdrawal. Symptoms may be similar, but they occur at different stages.
Cocaine comedowns happen once the drug effects start to wear off. Usually, the symptoms are only temporary. However, withdrawal is when your body starts to detox after being addicted to cocaine.
Typically, a cocaine comedown can be treated at home, but withdrawal needs the support of addiction specialists.
What Happens After A Cocaine High?
Once the effects of cocaine wear off, you’ll experience what is known as a ‘comedown’. Cocaine comedowns can feel similar to the flu, but symptoms are often more intense.
Not everyone will experience the same cocaine comedown, but some of the common symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Muscle twitching
- Body shakes
- Exhaustion
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
Symptoms of a cocaine comedown can start to subside after a few hours, while for others, it can take a few days to get back to yourself.
If you’re experiencing a cocaine comedown, it’s important to stay hydrated, eat carb-heavy, healthy foods, and get plenty of rest to support your recovery.
How Do I Know If I Have a Cocaine Addiction?
Addiction is when you try to stop using the drug but feel as though you physically can’t, regardless of how often you use it, states the NHS.
While it’s often associated with regular daily use, that isn’t always the case. You might only use cocaine at parties or get-togethers, but if you feel you can’t go to these events without cocaine, you may be experiencing an addiction.
Recognising a cocaine addiction in yourself isn’t always easy. To help, try asking yourself these questions:
- Do you feel restless, irritated, or angry when you can’t use cocaine?
- Is cocaine use getting in the way of work or relationships?
- Are you spending money on cocaine that should be used on bills or food?
- Do you lie to loved ones about how much or how often you use cocaine?
- Have you noticed an increase in anxiety, stress, or depression since using the drug?
- Do you cancel on social plans with friends or family to use cocaine instead?
If you are at all concerned about a cocaine addiction in yourself, reach out to your GP as soon as possible. They’ll be able to help you with resources and referrals for support.
Stonebridge Communities Helps You Recover from Cocaine Addiction
Here at Stonebridge Communities, we know how difficult addiction recovery can be – that’s why we created our cocaine addiction recovery rehab.
With us, you get access to 24/7 care from a team of dedicated, experienced recovery specialists. We have over 20 years of experience, including CQC accreditation, meaning you can trust us to take the best care of you from the start to the end of your recovery journey.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can support you along the way. Give us a call on 01934 311965 or send us an email to info@stonebridge.rehab. Alternatively, fill out our contact form for a call back from a member of our team.
