HomeAnswersToxicologycocaineHow can I test positive for cocaine on a saliva drug test when I was abstinent for five days?

How long does cocaine stay in the system after a period of abstinence?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At May 3, 2023
Reviewed AtJune 21, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

How can I test positive for cocaine on a saliva drug test when I was abstinent for five days? A month before, I tested positive for cocaine on a urine test after six days of abstinence. How can it be in my system that long? Currently, I take the following medications- Trintellix, Trazodone, Miripex, Latuda, Naltrexone, Wellbutrin, and Spironolactone.

Answered by Dr. Arul Amuthan L

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. People who consume cocaine regularly (even cocaine-containing foods) have an accumulation of cocaine and its metabolites in the body tissues. After stopping consumption, these get released in two phases. Immediately (within hours) some amount is released. Once that is completely excreted from the body through urine or saliva, then within a few days, the second phase release happens and in this phase, the complete elimination from the body happens. This happens in chronic consumers as well as people who have more fat in their bodies. If people exercise, this accumulated cocaine gets released faster. So, make sure you stop it and do exercise to release it from the body tissue into the blood for elimination. Also, avoid cocaine-containing foods or drinks. Hope this helps. Thank you and take care.

Patient's Query

Dear Dr. Amuthan, what you described, even for a chronic user, the cocaine should be excreted within a few days, correct? My test was high positive after 5 days of

Answered by Dr. Arul Amuthan L

In chronic users, after abstinence, gradually it gets eliminates. At the same time the accumulated cocain gets releases from fatty tissues. Here releasing is not immediately 100%. It follows a pattern.. Gradual release, that makes positive in urine after few days. But I hope it must be low level, not the high level. Complete elimination (within 5 days) can not be guaranteed in obese person without exercise. It depends on how much was consumed earlier and how much was accumulated in body.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Arul Amuthan L
Dr. Arul Amuthan L

Pharmacology

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