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Cocaine

What is it?

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug which comes from the coca plant. Its appearance is a fine white powder. Cocaine is given many different names such as “coke”, “charlie” and “snow”. The drug is much more accessible because of the many purity types which are available. The price can change greatly depending on purity. Street dealers often dilute or “cut” it with non-psychoactive substances such as cornstarch, talcum powder, flour, or baking soda to increase their profits. “Crack” and “Freebase” are other forms of Cocaine which are less common but still available in Scotland. Crack cocaine is a made into small lumps or rocks that make a cracking noise when burned. Freebase is a converted form of powder cocaine and looks like a crystallised powder.

How is it used?

Cocaine is a drug that people snort in powder form. The effects last for between 20 to 30 minutes. Cocaine can also be injected. Crack and freebase are usually smoked through a glass pipe, tube, plastic bottle or in foil. The effects are immediate but don’t last long.

Effects and risks

Effects and risks can be dependent on:

  • the type and strength of cocaine being used
  • length of use
  • pre-existing health conditions

Effects

Cocaine gives the user feelings of happiness, alertness and energy. It also provides overconfidence that can lead to risk taking behaviour. The effects don’t last long, so users often take more cocaine. This is commonly followed by a “comedown” that makes you feel depressed, run down and general feelings of being unwell, this can last for several days.

Risks

  • High doses can raise the body’s temperature, cause fits, a heart attack or heart failure. Risk of overdosing increases if cocaine is mixed with other drugs or alcohol.
  • Long term damage to the cartilage inside your nose.
  • Very harmful to those with pre-existing health conditions.
  • Regular use can affect mental health. This may lead to serious problems with anxiety, depression, paranoia and panic attacks.
  • Seizures.
  • Feelings of over-confidence can lead to people taking part in risky behaviour.
  • Speedballing (injecting a mixture of cocaine and heroin) can have fatal results. Injecting drugs can als o damage veins and cause ulcers and gangrene. Sharing needles or other injecting equipment can spread HIV and hepatitis infections.

Mental health

Cocaine is very addictive. This is because regular use changes the way the brain releases a brain chemical called dopamine that makes you feel happy. Continued use can lead to dependency. This is a psychological craving to use cocaine regularly.

People who use cocaine experience feelings of euphoria, have increased alertness and greater self-confidence. The person may experience hallucinations and paranoia.

  • Frequent users may experience:
  • tachycardia (increased pulse rate)
  • twitching
  • insomnia
  • anxiety
  • panic attacks

Chronic use can impact on mental health, medical issues and pose a higher risk of overdose. Prolonged use impacts on natural sleep patterns. If the person has mental health problems then cocaine use can increase these symptoms and risks. It can also trigger psychosis.

Alcohol and cocaine

The effects of mixing alcohol and cocaine together are more dangerous than using either substance alone. When used together the two substances mix to create a chemical in the body called cocaethylene. This can cause severe heart damage and liver disease as it builds up in the liver over time. In some cases, the effects of the cocaethylene are immediate and severe. Cocaine causes the heart to beat faster, and when it mixes with alcohol, the increase in heart rate can reach levels that lead to a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

The Law

In the UK, cocaine is categorised as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971). This means it’s illegal to possess or supply. Penalties may include up to seven years in prison for possession, and up to life in prison for supply, and/or an unlimited fine.

Reducing the risks of harm / tapering strategies

You are safest not to use cocaine. If you do choose to use it there are some things you can do to lower the risks:

  • The best option to reduce harm is to not take cocaine, especially with alcohol. Alcohol and cocaine mixed together produces a toxic chemical in the body called cocaethylene and is very dangerous. This increases the damage to the heart and liver.
  • Avoid binging when using cocaine. This helps to reduce the risk of an overdose. Do not use every day to avoid becoming psychologically dependent.
  • Snorting cocaine damages your nose so it is important to rinse your nostrils after use. It is also important to swap nostrils when snorting. Use clean tubes and do not share tubes with other people. Avoid using makeshift pipes like straws or rolled up papers as you may inhale harmful chemicals.
  • If smoking always use clean glass pipes.
  • Injecting any substance increases the risks of contracting blood borne viruses. Therefore use clean injection equipment, one kit, one hit. Never let anyone inject you or share equipment. Use needle exchange services.

Stopping or reducing your cocaine use

You can try to stay away from situations which could lead to cocaine use. Let people know you want to use less or stop altogether. There are no medicines that work as substitutes for powder cocaine or crack cocaine. If you seek help you may be offered support to help with withdrawal symptoms, such as sleep problems, or talking therapies likes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Some people find support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous, helpful.

These are based on the same 12-step principles as Alcohol Anonymous.

Where to get help

If you’re worried about your cocaine use you can get support from the following services in Ayrshire:

  • North Ayrshire Turning Point Scotland Prevention, Early Intervention and Recovery Service (P.E.A.R): 01294 447407
  • We are with you (East): 01563 558777
  • We are with you (South): 01292 430529

For more information, contact the Prevention and Service Support Team:

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