Information about Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the coca plant, which can be snorted as a white powder, or can be smoked or injected as crack cocaine. This section looks at the use of powder cocaine – cocaine hydrochloride. Cocaine is a Class A drug. For more information about classifications and sentencing, click here.

Effects: The effects of cocaine start soon after snorting the drug and last for up to forty minutes, though some people feel the need to use more after around 20 minutes as the effects begin to wear off. The effects are similar to amphetamines, with a sense of well-being, excitement, physical strength and the feeling of being able to think and react faster than normal (tests have shown that in fact cocaine users do not have faster reactions or better performance under the influence). People often talk a lot on cocaine. Physical effects include increased heart rate (which can become dangerous if the drug is used over a long period of time), loss of appetite, dry mouth and sweating.

Risks: The physical effects of cocaine use can become more dangerous if it is used heavily or for a long period. It can cause high blood pressure, palpitations (where the heart skips a beat) and heart attacks. Cocaine is very addictive. Large doses or prolonged use can cause anxiety and panic attacks, and can sometimes cause temporary psychosis, which can occasionally develop into permanent mental illness.

The risks of mixing cocaine with other substances like alcohol or other stimulants are much higher than cocaine alone. Mixing cocaine with alcohol creates a third substance in the body, called Cocaethylene. Cocaethylene puts much more strain on the body than either cocaine or alcohol alone, and increases damage to the heart and liver, and also the risk of sudden death. For more information about the dangers of using alcohol and cocaine together, go to www.drinkingwithcharlie.co.uk.

Minimising the risks: Avoid mixing stimulant substances with alcohol, or with other stimulants. Cocaine is also more dangerous if it’s taken with some antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs). Be aware of how much and how frequently you are using. Prolonged or regular use of cocaine seems to have more risks than occasional use. The best way to minimise the risks of using cocaine is to cut down your use as much as possible, and if you can, stop.

For more information about cocaine, including a self-help tool to help you monitor your use and see the benefits of cutting down, visit www.bolton.knowcocaine.co.uk.