Alcohol & Other Drugs: Testing & Metabolism

Q: Spot~ I have been reading your answers to how long Cocaine can stay in your system..... 2-3 days for small usage.... 5 days for heavy usage. While these statements are indeed correct.... Drug tests now-a-days DO NOT test for the drug Cocaine.... They test for the metabolites that can stay in your system for up to 4 weeks (under heavy cocaine abuse.) 2 weeks for small usages... less than that for one-time small usages. So research that and tell these people what they need to know.... How to fool the tests :) Later

A: Actually, whenever Spot responds to questions regarding drug testing and metabolism it is the metabolites we are referring to. Once the substance is in the body it is broken down into metabolites, this is what any test detects--not the actual substance. In addition, substances that are stored in blood plasma and/or fat cells do remain in the system longer because they are slowly released even after a user ceases to use the drug. Cocaine stays in the system for a much shorter time in comparison to other drugs because it does not bind to plasma--however chronic users will have traces in the body longer--as you indicated. This is made very clear in many of the responses. I think that the readers are getting the information they need-but thanks for the input! -Spot (July 16, 2003)