Cocaine basics
Find out all the basics about cocaine in this fact sheet, including what it is, how it works, and how it affects your mental and physical health.
Summary
- Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant.
- Cocaine can also be chemically synthesized.
- Heavy and/or regular use of cocaine can cause a drug induced psychotic episode and can also trigger a relapse of psychotic symptoms
What is it?
Cocaine (coke, crack, charlie, blow, toot, snow, nose candy, white dust) is a naturally occurring alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. It can also be chemically synthesised.
The leaves of the coca bush were chewed, sucked or brewed into tea by indigenous people in South America for its stimulant and appetite suppressant properties. Cocaine has been used in a range of energy providing medicines, foods and drinks. It has also been used as a local anaesthetic.
Cocaine comes in four main forms:
- Cocaine hydrochloride (powder): The most common form of cocaine is as a salt - as cocaine hydrochloride. This is a white powder with a bitter, numbing taste. Cocaine hydrochloride cannot be smoked effectively because the drug is destroyed at high temperatures.
- Freebase: By moving the hydrochloride through a chemical process the drug is converted into 'freebase' which can then be smoked. Freebase is a white, off-white or pinkish powder.
- Crack: Crack is a particularly pure form of freebase cocaine. It takes the form of small lumps or rocks. The colour of crack depends on a range of factors, including the origin of the cocaine, the way it is produced and its impurities. It usually ranges from white to light brown. The name crack comes from the crackling sound made when cocaine with impurities is heated. Crack is less commonly used in Australia.
- Leaf: Leaves from the coca plant are used to make an herbal infusion tea. Compared to other forms, the effects are much milder than other forms and does not produce the numbing and rush. Cocaine is generally only used in this way in South America.
Street cocaine is often cut or diluted with other substances such as glucose, lactose and baking powder.
Classification
Cocaine is classified as a stimulant; this term refers to the effect of the drug on the central nervous system. Stimulants speed up messages going between the brain and the body.
How is cocaine used?
- Snorted: This is the most common way cocaine is taken. The cocaine is absorbed through the mucous membranes lining the sinuses. Try to avoid sharing straws or other equipment used for snorting as this can pass on illnesses such as colds, flu's and even hepatitis C.
- Oral: Cocaine powder is rubbed along the gums – usually done when small amounts remain after snorting.
- Smoked: Freebase and crack cocaine are generally used for smoking because they vaporise at smoking temperature, providing more effect with less. Smoking also has a faster onset and more intense high than powder cocaine.
- Injected: Injection of cocaine, usually mixed with water, provides the quickest dose of the drug to the bloodstream. This is the most dangerous way to use cocaine as it bypasses all of the bodies natural defences by putting the drug straight into the bloodstream. It also increases risk of blood-borne viruses (such as HIV and AIDS) and infections from using dirty equipment.
Immediate effects of cocaine
The short term effects of cocaine include:
- a sense ofeuphoria and wellbeing
- increased blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature
- increased alertness and energy
- sexual arousal
- loss of appetite
The effects of cocaine are short lived (less than 30 minutes) and depend on the amount taken, purity and how it is taken.
Large doses
Large doses of cocaine can be fatal. Cocaine poisoning can also produce faster, irregular and weak heartbeats, lung failure, heart failure and burst blood vessels in the brain.
Effects from regular cocaine use
The side effects from regular use of cocaine include:
Physical effects
- sleep disorders
- sexual problems such as impotence
- nose bleeds
- sinusitis and damage to the nasal wall from snorting,
- heart attacks
- strokes
- respiratory problems.
Psychological effects
- addiction
- paranoia
- depression
- anxiety.
Cocaine and mental health
Heavy and/or regular use of cocaine can cause a drug induced psychotic episode and can also trigger a relapse of psychotic symptoms if you already have a mental illness. In some cases the symptoms may continue for days or even weeks after the drug has worn off.
Is cocaine addictive?
Cocaine is an addictive drug. Dependence can develop after a relatively short history of use. An early indicator of dependence may be when you find it increasingly difficult to resist using the drug if it is available.
Dependence may be associated with the way it is used – use via smoking or injecting may lead to dependence in a matter of weeks or months, while dependence associated with snorting is much more gradual and may take months or years to develop.
Withdrawal from cocaine can last up to ten weeks. During this time, you experience severe cravings for cocaine. Other withdrawal symptoms include:
- lack of energy
- anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
- anxiety
- angry outbursts.
Cocaine and the law
It’s illegal to use, possess or supply cocaine in every Australian state. These offences vary from state to state but carry heavy fines and/or prison sentences.
It is also illegal to drive under the influence of drugs. Breaking this law carries penalties including disqualification from driving, heavy fines and/or imprisonment.
This fact sheet was prepared with assistance from the Australian Drug Foundation.
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