Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant. Although healthcare providers occasionally use it as a local anesthetic for medical purposes such as surgery, it is otherwise an illegal controlled substance. Cocaine is the second most trafficked illegal drug in the world.
Other names for cocaine include:
Blow
Coke
Crack
Rock
Snow
Cocaine looks like a fine, white, powder. Cocaine purchased on the street is frequently mixed with other substances including cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour. However, not all substances mixed with cocaine are neutral – cocaine purchased on the street is frequently mixed with amphetamine and other stimulant drugs.
Cocaine use frequently happens in a binge – repeatedly taking the drug in a short amount of time – to maintain the high. Cocaine is snorted, ingested, injected, or smoked.
Cocaine causes a short high, typically below 1 hour. The length of the high depends on how it is used – the high from snorting lasts 15 – 30 minutes, while the high from smoking or injecting may be more intense but shorter, lasting 5 – 10 minutes. The high from using cocaine is followed by an intense period of depression, irritability, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. Regardless of how much cocaine someone takes or how frequently they take it, using cocaine increases the risk of sudden heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and respiratory failure, which can result in death.
The most common physical symptoms include:
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
Convulsion
Muscle spasm
Nausea
Restlessness
The most common mental symptoms include:
Anger
Paranoia
Hostility
Anxiety
Mental symptoms can persist even once the physical high has worn off
There are many long-term consequences of cocaine use, some of which depend on the administration method.
If snorted:
If ingested or rubbed into gums:
Needle injection:
General effects, regardless of administration method:
Public domain image:
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Side_effects_of_chronic_use_of_C...)
Häggström, Mikael (2014). "Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.008. ISSN 2002-4436. Public Domain.
The human brain produces a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) called dopamine in areas that control pleasure and movement. Under normal circumstances, the brain releases dopamine in response to potential rewards like food or sex. After dopamine is released, it is quickly broken down or recycled back into brain cells. Cocaine hijacks this system and prevents dopamine from being recycled, which causes it to build up in the brain. This intense buildup causes cocaine’s high, including feelings of pleasure and energy.
Note: almost all drugs of abuse affect the dopamine system.
Crack cocaine is the most potent form of cocaine and is typically 75 – 100% pure, which is both far stronger and riskier than snorting cocaine powder. Crack cocaine is typically smoked which allow for a more intense and faster high, but a much shorter high. Because of the intensity of the high from crack cocaine, addiction can develop much more quickly.
Yes, a person can overdose on cocaine. Using too much cocaine can have a toxic reaction resulting in serious harmful sickness or even death. Overdose can occur unintentionally, and can occur even after the first use of cocaine. Using cocaine with alcohol at the same time is particularly risky and can lead to severe harm. The most common effects of overdose are cardiovascular, causing arrhythmia, heart attacks, and strokes, but can also lead to seizures.
Overdoses are treated by managing the conditions that overdose creates: heart attack, stroke, and seizure. This involves restoring blood flow to the heart or brain, or stopping an ongoing seizure.
Some danger signs are:
More frequent use
Needing more and more to get the same effect
Spending time thinking about using the drug
If you find it's hard to be happy without it
Spending more money than you have on it
Missing class or failing to finish assignments because of cocaine
Making new friends who do it and neglecting old friends who don't
Erratic or unpredictable behavior.
If you find that you can't stop using cocaine, then remember, there's help available.
If you are concerned about a friend's drug or alcohol use, this page contains information about different ways to help them.
If you or a friend are having trouble with drugs or alcohol, or just have questions, there is help available.
Dance Safe
Dance Safe is a harm-reduction web site centered on drugs found in nightclubs and raves. The site offers drug information, a risk assessment, ecstasy testing kits and e-news.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
NIDA drug pages have research reports, statistics and information on addiction.
The Good Drugs Guide
This British harm-reduction web site provides extensive information on cocaine, including the basics, dangers, mixing with other drugs and links.
If you are wondering if you should call EMS, you should call EMS. If you are still wondering, click here.
It's not easy to know what to say when you're worried about a friend's drug or alcohol use. Click here to learn what to do and what not to do.
