COCAINE

coke | blow | crack | rock |
snow | C | ye

Cocaine is snorted, injected or smoked (in the form of crack).

Source: Cocaine is a white powder that comes from the leaves of coca plants, often from South America. Crack is a super-addictive smokable form of cocaine that's been chemically altered.

Legal code: Illegal

History: Native cultures in South America have chewed coca leaves for their stimulating effects for thousands of years. When the Spanish discovered South America, they brought cocaine back to Europe, where its use spread very rapidly. It was even used as an anesthetic in surgery, and in America the Coca-Cola Company's original secret formula included cocaine. Cocaine was classified as illegal in 1914 by the Harrison Narcotic Act.

Effects: People report a sense of well-being, increased endurance and energy, reduced appetite, heightened alertness, and elimination of fatigue, which can quickly turn into anxiety or panic. The physical effects of coke include an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature. The effects of snorted cocaine peak in about 15 to 30 minutes and then fade, which often encourages users to repeat the dose in order to maintain the effect. Most of a crack high (which happens faster and is more intense) is usually finished after 15 minutes. In either case, the high is followed by a crash.

Risks: There's a serious risk of overdose, leading to seizures, heart attack, strokes, and death. Repeated use of high doses can lead to a psychotic paranoid state. Cocaine use can cause irregular heartbeats and insomnia. Stress on the heart leads to a higher chance of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory failure. Heavy users are susceptible to hallucinations and "coke bugs"--the sensation of imaginary insects crawling over the skin. Cocaine and crack use have also been a contributing factor in a number of drownings, car crashes, falls, burns and suicides.

Injectors risk: Hepatitis or AIDS.

Risks for women: Cocaine and crack can cause serious and permanent damage to an unborn fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, do not use cocaine!

Do not combine with: Decongestants, high doses of caffeine, MAO inhibitor antidepressants (such as Nardil or Parnate), or anything that affects heart rate or makes people more prone to seizures.

Addiction rating: High.