How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Your System?

You may be wondering how long cocaine stays in your system especially if you are just about to take a drug test. Various factors affect the length of time, including the amount of the drug taken, your weight and height, the frequency that you are taking cocaine, and your body's overall rate of metabolism.

In general, cocaine stays in the body's system between 17 and 24 hours, and is usually undetectable in urine after 12 hours, although a large dose may still register up to 72 hours later. However, the main metabolite present in cocaine, benzoylecgonine, takes a lot longer to vanish from the system and because of this, most drug tests are actually looking for traces of Benzoylecgonine. It can take even longer for all traces of cocaine to be eliminated from your body if you combine the cocaine with alcohol. The alcohol and cocaine taken together combine to create a metabolite called cocaethylene, and this can typically take between 5 and 20 days for all traces to vanish, depending on the amount consumed and the regularity of the usage. Traces of cocaethylene will be eliminated more quickly if water is consumed regularly after consuming the alcohol and cocaine.

One problem that regular or heavy users can face is that a drug screening test can show positive even if they haven't taken cocaine in a long time. This is because the drug is stored in the liver and other fatty tissues and is continuously released in to the blood stream. False readings are also reported in drug tests for other reasons, especially among those taking certain medications, or those with a chronic liver or kidney disease. Different types of drug screening tests can also give different results; the 4 main types of drug screening test are the blood, hair, saliva and urine test. The most common method of testing is the urine test, because it is inexpensive and painless. If you have been subjected to a drug test and the results are positive despite the fact that you have never taken cocaine, you should of course request a second test.

What’s The Best Medicine To Take For ADD Or ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition often found in young people but can continue on through the adult years. Extreme cases are often treated with appropriate medicine to lessen the symptoms such as inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Most doctors will prescribe a stimulant but there are cases wherein a non-stimulant or a high blood pressure medication will be better for the patient. Here are some of the best ADHD medicine options available:

Ritalin

Ritalin is a potent stimulant containing methylphenidate which is capable of effectively minimizing the main symptoms of ADHD relatively fast. Unlike other drugs, it does not cause the patient to have increased tics. On the other hand, it could deter brain development in children. It is also known to cause insomnia, headaches, depression, dizziness, loss of appetite, and nausea.

Adderall

Adderall contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is very similar to Ritalin in its level of effectiveness and potential side effects. In rare cases, the intake of this drug may trigger a heart attack. This may become a fatal incident especially if the patient has been drinking significant amounts of alcohol.

Dexedrine

Dexedrine's main ingredient is the stimulant dextroamphetamine.  It can control all of the major ADHD symptoms but may trigger the usual side effects associated with stimulants. One big drawback is that it can make the incidents of tics rise over time if the patient goes overboard with the dosage. Utmost care should be taken when administering this drug to prevent overdose.

Strattera

This one is a non-stimulant drug with atomoxetine as the active ingredient. The effect of stimulants tends to last for only a few hours whereas this drug can provide 24-hour relief. It is a good fit for people who are suffering from depression and anxiety but it is not as potent with regards to hyperactivity. Patients should watch out for side effects than may include nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach ache, fatigue and irritability.

The good news is that atomoxetine costs less than other treatments and doesn't induce drug dependence the way that stimulants tend to. Of course, this doesn't mean it should be handled recklessly as it may heighten feelings of despair.