I picked up a package containing a white substance. I touched my finger to the substance and then tasted it. My tongue became numb and I felt light headed for about five minutes. I suspect I tasted cocaine. I am very concerned about the effects of this little “taste test” as I am subject to random drug tests for my job. It was a stupid thing to do but I had absolutely no idea it was drugs. I immediately brushed my tongue and rinsed my mouth. My tongue stayed numb for a little white afterward and I had a bad taste in my mouth.
Do you know how long this could stay in my system? or if this small amount is anything to worry about?
Any answers?
Do you normally taste things you have no clue what they are? That’s not a good habit to have. You just found a bag of coke laying around?
Cocaine is water soluble. It flushes from the body very quicky. Such a small amount most likely either won’t show at all in a test or will show up but it will be well below the threshold level and thus would still be considered negative. As long as you don’t get tested in the next two or three days you have nothing to worry about.
(This assumes a standard urine test)
Isn’t arsenic also a white powder?
:smack:
I know it was not a smart idea but I just wanted to see what was in this bag I found. I am panicking about this as I have never even experimented with drugs. I do not think I could be tested before Monday or Tuesday of next week. I hope the small amount will not be enough to show up. Thanks for your information as I know nothing about drugs or the effects. I appreciate your response.
I have no idea if arsenic is a white powder. I immediately began to research it on the internet. Based on my research, I think it is cocaine. I found it on the shore of a lake along with some other things I stuck in my pocket. Later I emptied out the contents of my pocket and discovered it.
If it was a white powder in a small bag, and it numbed your tounge, it was probably coke. The light headedness things probably wasn’t directly related to the effects of cocaine. If you’re still worried start googling around for things like 'how long does it take cocaine" and “drug testing” Also, check erowid.org.
Good Lord, man. Did you find any used condoms washed up on the shore as well? Did you stick them in your pocket and taste them as well?
Sorry, I know I’m not helpful, but gee willikers, ya know?
You tasted something you saw washed up on a lakeshore? My God, have you no survival instincts?
Uh huh. You say you just happened to find it on the shore, and it certainly didn’t belong to anybody you know. Then for some reason you taste it, and you automatically so convinced that it is cocaine that you register to the Straightdope to find out if you will test positive on a drug test.
I think your pretty safe on that drug test.
Not looking for smart remarks. It may sound dumb but that is how it happened. I don’t need someone doubting what I am saying; I just need information that I lack. I am not a drug user; never have been; do not want to be. I don’t appreciate your sarcasm. Yes, testing positive on a test would be devastating to a twenty year career. That’s why I need information.
I registered with Straight Dope in order to get more information; not smart alec responces.
I wouldn’t worry about it. Such a minimal amount on the tip of the tongue would register as a negative on a drug test, if it showed up at all.
As the others have said, not a good idea to taste strange substances anyway. It’s not as if you learn much by tasting them.
Look, if it was blow, all it really did was make your tongue tingle. You’re not going to fail a drug test. You can relax. Any amount you ingested would be so low as to border on the theoretical and it’s probably already out of your body anyway. You’re going to be fine.
I wonder if ordinary citizens can order a private drug test for themselves, preemptive to a workplace-mandated test?
Since I think the question has been answered as well as it can be here, and to avoid further scolding of the OP, I’m going to close this thread.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
Just as an aside: Straight Dope Staff Report: Why do cops in movies taste cocaine? The Staff Report was written by Hawk, who is a professional pathologist, and knows whereof he speaks.