Cocaine Advice

What is it?

Cocaine is a stimulant of the Central Nervous System, and also a local anaesthetic, which is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. Cocaine can be smoked, snorted, injected, rubbed along the gums or wrapped in cigarette paper and swallowed. Cocaine in its purest form is a white, pearly substance; however many other substances are usually “cut” with cocaine to increase its weight, such as baking soda, sugar, lactose etc.

How does it make you feel?

Cocaine is a stimulant drug, which means that users of the drug will feel more alert and energetic, and feel the need for less sleep. Cocaine users will often experience a feeling of euphoria after taking the drug. Cocaine works as an appetite suppressant so individuals using the substance will find their desire for food is reduced.

What are the health effects?

Cocaine is addictive and produces both short term and long term health effects:

Short term - Cocaine causes the blood vessels to thicken and constrict, reducing the flow of oxygen to the heart. At the same time, cocaine causes the heart muscle to work harder, which can lead to heart attack or stroke, even in healthy people. Cocaine raises blood pressure, which can cause weakened blood vessels in the brain to burst. A person can overdose on even a small amount of cocaine. Overdose can cause seizures and heart failure. It can cause breathing to become weak or stop altogether. There is no antidote to cocaine overdose. When cocaine is used with alcohol, the liver produces cocaethylene, a powerful compound that increases the risk of sudden death beyond the risk of using cocaine alone.

Long term - Cocaine increases the same chemicals in the brain that make people feel good when they eat, drink or have sex. Regular cocaine use can cause lasting changes in this “reward system” of the brain, which may lead to addiction. Craving and psychiatric symptoms may continue even after drug use stops. Snorting cocaine can cause sinus infections and loss of smell. It can damage tissues in the nose and cause holes in the bony separation between the nostrils inside the nose. Smoking cocaine can damage the lungs and cause “crack lung.” Symptoms include severe chest pains, breathing problems and fever. Crack lung can be fatal. Injection can cause infections from used needles or impurities in the drug. Sharing needles can also cause hepatitis or HIV infection.

Cocaine use in pregnancy may increase risk of miscarriage and premature delivery. It also increases the chance that the baby will be born underweight. Because women who use cocaine during pregnancy often also use alcohol, nicotine and other drugs, we do not fully know the extent of the effects of cocaine use on the baby. Cocaine use while breastfeeding transmits cocaine to the nursing child. This exposes the baby to all the effects and risks of cocaine use. Cocaine use is linked with risk-taking and violent behaviours. It is also linked to poor concentration and judgment, increasing risk of injury and sexually transmitted disease. Chronic use can cause severe psychiatric symptoms, including psychosis, anxiety, depression and paranoia. Chronic use can also cause weight loss, malnutrition, poor health, sexual problems, infertility and loss of social and financial supports.

The Law

Cocaine in all forms is a class A drug; it is illegal to produce, supply or possess. The maximum sentence for possession is 7 years imprisonment with an unlimited fine, and for supply, life imprisonment and an unlimited fine. Under the Road Traffic Act it is an offence to be in charge of a motor vehicle when unfit through drugs. If found guilty there's an obligatory 12 month's disqualification and a fine. If you are involved in an incident whilst under the influence, stiffer penalties will apply. An individual is classed as being in charge of a vehicle even if they are asleep on the back seat.