How Long Does Crack Cocaine Stay In Your Urine?

Medically Reviewed by Johnelle Smith, M.D. on March 15, 2021

Crack cocaine is a freebase form of cocaine that can be detected through a urine screening. The timeframe for crack detection time can vary based on how often you use crack and other personal factors.

How Long Can Crack Cocaine Be Detected In Your Urine?

Crack cocaine is an illicit stimulant drug that can be detected in the urine, blood, oral fluids, and hair. Urine testing is the most common type of drug testing method.

Crack cocaine use can be detected in a urine sample long after the effects of crack cocaine have begun to wear off. On average, urine samples can show crack use for one to seven days.

Crack Cocaine Detection Time In Urine

Immunoassay screenings, which are a type of urine test, can detect crack cocaine metabolites.

These metabolites can typically be detected:

  • as short as one day for infrequent use
  • up to one week for heavy users

What Factors Can Affect Crack Cocaine Detection Times In Urine?

Crack cocaine detection times can vary depending on a wide range of personal and biological factors. This includes the amount of time crack remains detectable in urine samples.

Factors that can affect how long cocaine stays in urine:

  • frequency of use
  • amount of crack used
  • use of other drugs (e.g. alcohol, meth, opioids)
  • body composition
  • overall health status
  • hydration

People who are older, have a slow metabolism, or are dependent on crack cocaine may metabolize the drug at a slower rate.

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This can cause drug use to be detectable in fluids like urine for longer than average.

Why Are Drug Tests For Crack Cocaine Ordered?

Urine tests for drug use can be performed at the request of a healthcare provider, employer, legal entity, or sports organization.

Common reasons for ordering a urine screening include:

  • showing signs of illicit drug use
  • pre-employment drug testing
  • drug-free workplace programs
  • prescription drug monitoring
  • legal and forensic purposes

A doctor may order a urine test if you are showing symptoms of crack use, such as hyperactivity, unexplained weight loss, poor mental health, and irregular heart rhythm.

How To Get Crack Cocaine Out Of Your System

The only way to get crack cocaine out of your system is to stop using crack. Unfortunately, this isn’t always easy.

Taking crack cocaine on a regular basis can cause physical dependence and addiction. This can make it difficult to stop taking it and may cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

If you’re worried about crack showing up in a urine test, the best way to quit crack is to seek professional detox services. Trying to quit crack alone can be very challenging and potentially dangerous.

Finding Substance Abuse And Addiction Treatment Programs

If you’re unable to control your crack use, this can be a sign of crack dependence and addiction. Crack addiction can be treated through an inpatient or outpatient drug rehab program.

Even if it feels impossible now, living a life without crack is possible. If you or a loved one is using crack, call our helpline today to find cocaine addiction treatment near you.

This page does not provide medical advice. See more

Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.

These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.

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Medically Reviewed by
Johnelle Smith, M.D. on March 15, 2021
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