Cocaine — aka coke, blow, and snow — is a powerful stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant. It usually comes in the form of a white, crystalline powder.
While it has a few medicinal uses, personal use is illegal in the United States.
If you use it, are considering using it, or are around anyone who does, read on. We’ll cover everything you need to know, like what to expect from the high potential risks, and what to do if things go south.
How is it used?
Cocaine is often snorted, but people also:
- dissolve the powder and inject it
- ingest it orally
- sprinkle it on cigarettes or joints to smoke it
rub it on their gums (gumming) Some people process cocaine into a rock and smoke it, which we’ll get to next.
Is it the same thing as crack?
Crack is a cocaine freebase that’s been processed into a rock. This makes for a more potent, smokable substance. Cocaine is made from hydrochloride and alkaloid, which is also known as base. Baking soda or ammonium is used to “free” the base by removing the hydrochloride.
The end result is a crack. It got its name from the crackling sound of heating and smoking the rock.
What does it feel like?
People use Coke for its intense psychological effects, like euphoria and boosted confidence. But it can also produce some not-so-pleasant psychological and physical effects.
Psychological effects
Common psychological effects of cocaine include:
- feelings of intense happiness
- increased energy
- paranoia
- feeling more social and talkative
- inflated confidence
- increased alertness
- irritability
- anxiety
Physical effects
Cocaine produces several physical effects, including:
- dilated pupils
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- constricted blood vessels
- muscle twitches
- tremors
- high blood pressure
- increased body temperature
- nausea
- restlessness
- decreased appetite
- insomnia
- headache
- dizziness
- diarrhoea
- bloody nose
- trouble getting or keeping an erection
How long do the effects take to kick in?
Coke’s effects kick in fast, but the exact onset depends on how you consume it.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Snorting: 1 to 3 minutes
- Gumming: 1 to 3 minutes
- Smoking: 10 to 15 seconds
- Injecting: 10 to 15 seconds
The reason for the time difference comes from the speed at which it enters your bloodstream.
When snorted or gummed, coke needs to get through mucus, skin, and other tissues. It bypasses all that when you inject or smoke it, allowing it to enter the bloodstream almost immediately.
How long do the effects last?
That also depends on how it’s consumed, along with other variables, like your dose and whether you’re taking other substances.
Here’s what to expect in terms of how long the high lasts:
- Snorting: 15 to 30 minutes
- Gumming: 15 to 30 minutes
- Smoking: 5 to 15 minutes
- Injecting: 5 to 15 minutes
Of course, everyone’s different, so things might last for more or less time for some folks.
Is there a comedown?
Yes. A cocaine comedown can last as long as a few days. How much you use plays a role in how hard you crash.
Once the high wears off, coke can leave you feeling depressed and extremely tired for several days. The short-lived high is also often followed by an intense desire to use more and difficulty sleeping.
How long does it stay in your system?
Cocaine typically stays in your system for 1 to 4 days but can be detected for a couple of weeks in some people.
Several factors can affect how long it hangs around in your body, including:
- how much you use
- how often do you use it?
- how do you use it?
- Coke’s purity
- your body fat percentage
- other substances you take
How long it’s detectable depends on the type of drug test used.
Here are the general detection windows by test type:
- Urine: up to 4 days
- Blood: up to 2 days
- Saliva: up to 2 days
- Hair: up to 3 months
Is it safe to use alcohol?
Cocaine and alcohol make for a dangerous duo that can sometimes be life-threatening. It increases toxicity to the heart, liver, and other organs. It raises the risk of the serious effects already associated with cocaine use, including heart problems and stroke.
Mixing alcohol and cocaine has also been shown to increase cravings for each substance, leading to a higher risk of dependence.
Any other potential interactions?
There are quite a few known interactions between cocaine and other substances, including over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications and other drugs.
The most serious cocaine interactions involve:
- alcohol
- heroin
- opioids
- antipsychotics
- antidepressants
Other potential cocaine interactions include:
- anticonvulsants
- caffeine
- amphetamines
- cannabis
- psychedelics, such as LSD, DMT, and shrooms
- dissociative drugs, such as ketamine (special K), DXM, and PCP
- MDMA (molly, ecstasy)
Is there a risk of addiction?
Cocaine has high addiction potential. You can develop a tolerance to it after just a few uses. This means you need more of a substance to get the same effect you once did. The more you use it, the higher your risk of developing a substance use disorder.
The risk of addiction is even higher with crack cocaine because its effects are more immediate and more intense. Combining cocaine with alcohol and other substances also increases the risk of addiction. Signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction include:
- needing more of it to get high
- not being able to stop or use less
- withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it
- continuing to use it in spite of the consequences
- negative impact on your personal life, work life, or both
- spending excessive time or money on cocaine
- hallucinations and psychosis
What about other risks?
Aside from addiction, cocaine poses several other risks.
Heart problems
Cocaine is particularly rough on the heart and cardiovascular system. Using it can increase your risk for several heart-related issues, including
- high blood pressure
- inflammation of the heart muscle
- aortic dissection
- abnormal heart rhythms
- heart attack
Nasal issues
Snorting cocaine can do some serious damage to your nasal tissues. When you snort coke, the lining of your nasal passages becomes inflamed. Over time, this can lead to
- loss of smell
- nosebleeds
- chronic rhinitis
- trouble swallowing
Long-term or frequent use can break down tissue, causing sores. In severe cases, the septum (the cartilage between your nostrils) can develop a hole.
Bloodborne infections
Cocaine use carries a high risk of contracting bloodborne infections, including HIV and hepatitis C. Injecting carries the highest risk of bloodborne infections, but you can also contract infections by smoking and snorting coke. All of these methods involve the use of a device, like a needle, pipe, or straw. Sharing any of these can introduce infection into the bloodstream through your veins, or through small cuts or sores in the mucus membranes.
Skin and vein damage
Injecting coke can cause skin bruising and scarring and lead to collapsed veins. Snorting can damage your mucous membranes, causing inflammation and sores in and around your nostrils.
Mental health issues
Long-term cocaine use can cause auditory and tactile hallucinations, causing you to hear and feel things that aren’t there.
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Safety Tips
If you’re going to do cocaine, keep these tips in mind to reduce some of its risks:
- Test your coke. Cocaine is often cut with other substances, some of which can be harmful and even deadly, including fentanyl. You can purchase cocaine test kits at DanceSafe.org.
- Be smart about your props. Never share needles, pipes, and straws. Always inspect your devices before using them. Check pipes and straws for chips or other damage. Make sure needles are sterile.
- Go low and slow. Stick to a low dose and avoid redosing for as long as you can. Consider only keeping a small amount accessible to you during a sesh.
- Don’t mix. Combining coke with other substances increases the risk of adverse interactions and fatal overdose. Don’t use coke with alcohol or any other substance.
- Avoid it if you have heart issues. Stay away from Coke if you have high blood pressure or any other heart-related conditions.
- Don’t do it alone. Have someone with you in case things go south and you need help. It should be someone you trust who knows how to spot the signs of an overdose.
Recognizing an overdose
Call 911 or your local emergency services right away if you or anyone else experiences any of the following:
- irregular heart rhythm or pulse
- trouble breathing
- high blood pressure
- hallucinations
- chest pain
- extreme agitation
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
If you’re looking for help
If you’re worried about your cocaine use and want help, you have options. Consider talking to your primary healthcare provider if you’re comfortable doing so. Patient confidentiality laws prevent them from sharing this information with law enforcement. You can also try one of these free and confidential resources:
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) or treatment locator
- Support Group Project
- narcotics Anonymous
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