Cocaine

• Cocaine belongs to a group of drugs known as stimulants.
• Stimulants speed up the activity of the central nervous system ‑ the messages going to and from the brain.
• Cocaine most commonly comes in the form of a white, odourless powder called cocaine hydrochloride.
• Cocaine has a bitter, numbing taste.
• The powder is extracted from the leaves of the coca bush, found mainly in Peru and Bolivia. The extract is then processed with various chemicals.

Street names

C, coke, flake, nose candy, snow, dust, white, white lady, toot, crack, rock, freebase.

Effects

When inhaled, the effects of cocaine peak after 15 to 30 minutes, and then diminish. Using large quantities of cocaine repeatedly over a period of hours can lead to:

• extreme agitation
• anxiety
• paranoia
• hallucinations
• dizziness
• nausea and vomiting
• tremors
• unpredictable violent/aggressive behaviour
• loss of concentration
• loss of coordination
• loss of interest in sex
• loss of ambition and motivation
• heart pain
• heart attack
• increased body temperature
• rapid, irregular and shallow breathing.

There are a number of dangers relating to the method of using cocaine:

• Repeated snorting damages the lining of the nose and nasal passages, and can also damage the structure separating the nostrils.
• Cocaine is often mixed with substances that are poisonous when injected. This may cause collapsed veins, abscesses and damage to the heart, liver and brain. In addition, because people who use cocaine often don't know the exact purity and strength of the drug they are taking, chances of overdose and death are also increased.
• Injecting cocaine increases the risk of transmission of infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
• Smoking cocaine can cause breathing difficulties, chronic cough, chest pain and lung damage.

The unpleasant effects of cocaine increase with more frequent, long-term use. This often results in the person discontinuing their use for a period of time. Most of the following symptoms will stop once cocaine use stops:

• restlessness
• nausea
• hyper-excitability
• insomnia
• weight loss
• psychosis
• paranoia
• exhaustion
• hallucinations
• depression/inability to experience pleasure (anhedonia).

Overdose

The effects of overdose are very intense and, generally, short in nature. Although uncommon, deaths have been recorded from cocaine overdose due to:

• seizures
• heart attack
• brain haemorrhage
• kidney failure
• stroke
• repeated convulsions.

Harm minimisation

• Do not share needles, syringes and other injecting equipment.
• Do not buy from dealers you don’t know and never mix other drugs with cocaine – this will increase the risk of overdose.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Using cocaine during pregnancy may cause bleeding, miscarriage, premature labour and stillbirth. Cocaine increases the heart rate in both the mother and baby, and the supply of blood and oxygen to the baby is reduced. This means the baby is more likely to be small and grow slowly both before and after birth. If cocaine is used close to birth, the baby may be born intoxicated, showing symptoms of hyperactivity and agitation. Withdrawal symptoms can occur in the babies of mothers who use cocaine regularly. These include sleepiness and lack of responsiveness.

It is likely that cocaine will reach the baby through breast milk. The effect this has on the baby will depend on factors such as the amount and strength of cocaine used, and the time between using cocaine and feeding the baby. Symptoms may include the baby being irritable, unsettled and difficult to feed.

Cocaine and the law

Cocaine is illegal in Australia. It’s against the law to possess or use it. If the police catch you in possession of cocaine you can be prosecuted, even if you are not actually using it yourself.

If you’re prosecuted and found guilty, you get a criminal record and criminal records stay with you for the rest of your life.

What to do in a crisis

If someone overdoses or has an adverse reaction while using cocaine it is very important that they receive professional help as soon as possible. A quick response can save their life.

• Call an ambulance. Dial 000.
• Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.
• Ensure the person has adequate air by keeping crowds back and opening windows. Loosen tight clothing.
• If the person is unconscious, don’t leave them on their back—they could choke.
• If the person has stopped breathing, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If there is no pulse, apply CPR.
• Provide the ambulance officers with as much information as you can‑how much cocaine was taken, how long ago, and any pre-existing medical conditions.
• Arrange with friends before cocaine is taken about what to do in a crisis.

Where to get help

If a person is concerned about their cocaine use, they need to be encouraged to get help from their local Aboriginal Health Service, their doctor or from a drug and alcohol service. Family and friends who are concerned about someone they care about can also get information and support from these places:

• Direct Line; Phone: 1800 888 236
• Family Drug Help; Phone: 1300 660 068
• Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS); Phone: 1800 014 446; Website: www.ysas.org.au
  Drug and alcohol services for people aged between 12 and 21 who are experiencing significant problems related to their drug use.
• VIVAIDS (Injecting Drug Users Peer Support); Phone: 9419 3633
  Information and education for injecting drug users (IDUs), ex IDUs and carers
• Alcoholism and Drug Treatment Centre Moreland Hall; Phone: 9386 2876.

This information has been adapted from the How Drugs Affect You: Cocaine pamphlet produced by the Australian Drug Foundation. For copies of this pamphlet phone 1300 85 85 84 or email druginfo@adf.org.au (Victoria only), or go to our online shop catalogue (review copies are available).