Cocaine

Cocaine (hydrochloride) is a highly addictive drug. It acts as a short lived central nervous system stimulant and local anaesthetic.

It’s extracted from the leaves of coca plants and is usually snorted.

Crack cocaine is the smokable form of the drug and comes as crystals known as rocks or stones. Crack and cocaine powder can be injected but this is very risky. It's also linked to many harmful effects.

Effects of cocaine

Common effects of cocaine include:

anxiety
confidence
dilated pupils
energy
euphoria
increased heart rate
paranoia
restlessness

Long term effects of using cocaine

Longer term effects of using cocaine can include:

dependency
damage to the heart
mood swings
poor sleeping patterns
impotence
malnutrition due to suppressed appetite
difficulties manging your mental health which may worsen mental health conditions
damage to the lips, mouth and lungs caused by smoking cocaine
needle-related injuries like infections and, in extreme cases, amputation of limbs

Soft tissue damage

When snorted, cocaine causes the blood vessels to contract. This reduces blood flow to the nose. Repeated use can then damage the nasal structure and tissues. This can cause holes or perforations in the septum (the cartilage between the nostrils).

Common cocaine cutting agents, like levamisole, can also cause soft tissue damage. This includes rashes, wounds and skin rot.

If left untreated this damage can be irreparable so it’s important to speak to your GP as soon as problems arise.

Risks of mixing cocaine with other substances

Using alcohol and cocaine together can be dangerous. They mix together in the body to produce a toxic chemical called cocaethylene. This affects the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of overdose.

Using heroin with cocaine is especially risky and may trigger an overdose. Each drug puts a lot of pressure on the central nervous system and the heart. This can result in respiratory failure.

What to do in an emergency

Immediate action required: Phone 999 or go to A&E if:

You or someone else has taken cocaine and has symptoms like:

unconsciousness
difficulty breathing or they've stopped breathing
no response to stimulation
seizures (fitting)
chest pains
rapid heart rate
severe nausea and vomiting
hyperthermia (overheating)
hallucinations
anxiety or panic

Due to the risks of unpleasant and sometimes fatal side effects, you should completely avoid using stimulants like cocaine if you have:

high blood pressure
heart disease
epilepsy
depression or anxiety

Reducing the risks

Do

make sure you're in a safe environment, ideally with people you trust
let someone know if you're planning to use cocaine alone
start low, go slow – begin with a small test dose and wait at least 1 hour before taking more
drink small sips of non-alcoholic drinks like water or isotonic drinks, but don’t have more than 1 pint in 1 hour
always use new equipment
if you’re snorting, grind it down as fine as possible and divide it into small lines
if you're smoking cocaine, crush the crack rock into small pieces and smoke using a clean pipe or fresh piece of foil

Don't

do not share any equipment with others, including pipes, straws and keys
do not mix cocaine with other drugs, including prescribed medications or alcohol