Employers in certain sectors will frequently implement drug tests that are designed to spot cocaine and other drug use in potential employees. The company will generally order the test once the job offer had been made, but before the new employee starts work. If the new employee fails the test, the job offer will likely be rescinded.
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and we regularly supply drug tests to employers for pre-employment screening. Our range of cocaine drug testing kits is one of the most extensive found anywhere.
One of the most common ways to test for cocaine is by taking a urine sample. This type of test is pretty inexpensive when compared to others. It is also very good at detecting recent – within 7 days – drug use, as well as long-term exposure to cocaine. A urine drug test for cocaine can be purchased as a single test, or a part of a multi-drug test kit.
Urine tests can be purchased for both home and professional use, and are often sent to a laboratory where the results can be properly validated. When the sample arrives at the testing facility, they will test for the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine, as well as determining other factors such as pH level and creatinine concentration.
Standard urine tests will detect the presence of cocaine for up to 72 hours after it has been used. Habitual users will have the traces of cocaine in their system beyond that three day period.
A positive result for cocaine will appear when the concentration level reaches 300 ng/ml. A number that shows up in excess of that number represents a failed drug test. Standard procedure usually dictates a follow-up test to confirm the first result.
Some people asked to take the test may know that they will fail, and will then take to the internet to try and find ways to beat it. There are all kinds of tales to be found online, with urine switches and detox drinks consumed to dilute the urine among the most popular yarns spun. Not a single one of the methods told in these stories can be considered 100% foolproof.
Taking a urine test for cocaine can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you’re worried about testing positive. You might have a lot of questions racing through your mind – How long does cocaine stay in your system? What factors affect the detection window? Is there anything you can do to try to pass the test? Let’s dive into these questions.
The main factor determining how long cocaine shows up on a urine test is how frequently you use it. For a single, one-time use, cocaine and its metabolites are typically detectable for 1-4 days after the last dose. However, if you are a chronic or heavy user, cocaine can potentially be detected for up to 2-3 weeks after your last use. The more frequently and heavily you use, the longer it lingers.
Other factors like your metabolism, BMI, hydration levels, and the purity of the cocaine can also impact cocaine’s detection window to some degree. Generally speaking though, frequency of use is the biggest determinant. So a casual, infrequent user is likely to test negative after 4-5 days, while a hardcore daily user could potentially fail a urine test 2-3 weeks out.
This long potential detection window is why many people look for ways to try to “beat” the urine test if they know they’ll be testing positive. A few common tactics include: using substitutes like synthetic urine or drug-free urine from someone else, taking diuretics or drinking excessive amounts of water to dilute the sample, and using adulterants or additives meant to mask or destroy cocaine metabolites.
However, most modern urine tests are designed to detect these evasion methods. Submit a diluted sample, and it will be rejected. Use fake urine, and it likely won’t pass validity testing. Put masking agents in, and they’ll be detected as well.
At the end of the day, the only way to confidently pass a cocaine urine test is to stop using cocaine and allow enough time for it to fully clear your system based on your usage patterns. For infrequent recreational users, 5-7 days of abstinence is usually sufficient. Chronic heavy users may need 2-4 weeks or more to test negative.
No matter what supposed “beat the test” method you try, realize that drug testing facilities are very wise to most evasion tactics these days. The simplest and least stressful approach is just to steer clear of cocaine until you’re past the required testing period. That way, you can show up relaxed and confident that you’ll pass. Your career prospects are simply too important to jeopardize over a failed drug test.
Being treated for cocaine addiction
While the high derived from cocaine may feel good to the user, it generally comes with a laundry list of negative consequences. The very worst of those may be addiction, for which treatment will be required. Help can be found in treatment and rehab centres all over the country. With the help of counsellors and other professionals, the person addicted can learn to live a life free from the shackles of cocaine.
Detecting Cocaine with an 18 Panel Urine Drug Test
The 18 panel drug test cup from Zoom Testing is truly a powerhouse when it comes to comprehensive drug screening. While of course detecting cocaine is a major capability, this advanced test remarkably identifies traces of 17 other concerning substances as well. From opioids like heroin and fentanyl that are fueling a devastating overdose crisis, to “club drugs” like MDMA and ketamine, all the way to unique drugs of abuse like PCP, buprenorphine, and tricyclic antidepressants – this single integrated cup casts an extraordinarily wide net.
With its temperature strip to verify authentic sample integrity and adulteration checks to prevent tampering, you can trust and rely on the accurate results. Zoom Testing’s 18 panel offering allows employers, courts, treatment programs and more to screen for a staggering array of drugs with just one easy-to-use, all-in-one cup test. As the UK’s leading drug testing experts, Zoom provides this and other premier drug testing solutions combined with top-notch expertise and customer service. When it comes to drug testing, we truly have it all covered from A to Z.
Photo: “Drug Cup Test” by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Testing
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
