In recent years, cocaine has re-emerged as one of the most commonly used illicit substances in the UK, with usage rising across a broad demographic. For professionals working in family law and social care, this trend presents serious implications. Cocaine use can impact parental capacity, pose safeguarding risks, and complicate custody decisions. For social workers and family law solicitors, having reliable drug testing services can provide the necessary evidence to support informed decisions that protect vulnerable children and families.
This article provides information about cocaine including how its use can be detected through drug testing.
What is cocaine?
Cocaine is produced from the leaves of Erythroxylum coca plant, and comes in three main forms:
- A paste which is often off-white or light brown,
- A powder which is often white or off-white,
- A white or off-white crystal rock known as ‘crack’ cocaine.
Coca leaves have been used in South America for medicinal and stimulant purposes for thousands of years. Cocaine was isolated from coca leaves in the 19th century resulting in its widespread use as a local anaesthetic and later as a treatment for depression, fatigue and even an opium addiction. In the 1970s and 1980s, cocaine started being used recreationally as a popular ‘party drug’.
What are the effects of cocaine?
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that makes the user feel wide awake and confident. How long the ‘high’ lasts depends on the amount taken but effects tend to wear off after around 20 to 30 minutes. Common ‘comedown’ effects for cocaine include feeling run-down, drowsy and panicky. This often leads the individual to use more cocaine to alleviate the symptoms.
What is ‘crack’ cocaine?
‘Crack’ cocaine emerged in the 1980’s as a cheaper form of the drug. It is called ‘crack’ because it makes a crackling sound when it is being burnt. It has similar effects to cocaine but is usually much stronger. ‘Comedown’ symptoms for ‘crack’ cocaine include mood swings, paranoia, anxiety and trouble sleeping.
How can you test for cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine?
At Cellmark, we can test for a wide range of drugs and metabolites (breakdown products). Our laboratories can test for evidence of cocaine use, and it is one of the 9 drugs included in our standard panel. A marker to indicate the use of ‘crack’ cocaine is included when testing for cocaine, along with a marker to show evidence of concurrent use of cocaine and alcohol.
How long does cocaine stay in your hair?
Generally, once cocaine is incorporated into a hair strand it is fairly stable. Scientists have even found cocaine in hair of Egyptian Mummies that are several thousand years old. So, the only limit as to how long cocaine can potentially be detected is how long the hair is.
Once someone stops using cocaine, the levels being incorporated into hair will drop to zero rapidly. However, lower levels of the cocaine and breakdown products can still be detected for some months after due to the proportion of hair in the resting phase where the hair no longer grows but contains the evidence of previous cocaine use. It can take three to four months after stopping the of use of cocaine before all evidence is eliminated from hair.
What is pink cocaine?
Pink cocaine is a mixture of substances such as cocaine, ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamine, that are dyed pink. It can sometimes include cocaine or have no cocaine present at all.
For expert advice please call our friendly Customer Services team on 0800 036 2522 or email info@cellmark.co.uk where a member of our team will respond to your enquiry.