Get the Facts About Cocaine
| GET THE FACTS... BEFORE YOU RISK IT... KNOW THE SIGNS... |
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Slang: Coke, Dust, Toot, Snow, Blow, Sneeze, Powder, Lines, Rock (Crack)
Get the Facts...
Cocaine affects your brain. The word "cocaine" refers to the drug in both a powder
(cocaine) and crystal (crack) form. It is made from the coca plant and causes a short-lived
high that is immediately followed by opposite, intense feelings of depression, edginess,
and a craving for more of the drug. Cocaine may be snorted as a powder, converted to a
liquid form for injection with a needle, or processed into a crystal form to be smoked.
Cocaine affects your body. People who use cocaine often don't eat or sleep regularly. They
can experience increased heart rate, muscle spasms, and convulsions. If they snort
cocaine, they can also permanently damage their nasal tissue.
Cocaine affects your emotions. Using cocaine can make you feel paranoid, angry, hostile,
and anxious, even when you're not high.
Cocaine is addictive. Cocaine interferes with the way your brain processes chemicals that
create feelings of pleasure, so you need more and more of the drug just to feel normal.
People who become addicted to cocaine start to lose interest in other areas of their life, like
school, friends, and sports.
Cocaine can kill you. Cocaine use can cause heart attacks, seizures, strokes, and
respiratory failure. People who share needles can also contract hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, or
other diseases.
(cocaine) and crystal (crack) form. It is made from the coca plant and causes a short-lived
high that is immediately followed by opposite, intense feelings of depression, edginess,
and a craving for more of the drug. Cocaine may be snorted as a powder, converted to a
liquid form for injection with a needle, or processed into a crystal form to be smoked.
Cocaine affects your body. People who use cocaine often don't eat or sleep regularly. They
can experience increased heart rate, muscle spasms, and convulsions. If they snort
cocaine, they can also permanently damage their nasal tissue.
Cocaine affects your emotions. Using cocaine can make you feel paranoid, angry, hostile,
and anxious, even when you're not high.
Cocaine is addictive. Cocaine interferes with the way your brain processes chemicals that
create feelings of pleasure, so you need more and more of the drug just to feel normal.
People who become addicted to cocaine start to lose interest in other areas of their life, like
school, friends, and sports.
Cocaine can kill you. Cocaine use can cause heart attacks, seizures, strokes, and
respiratory failure. People who share needles can also contract hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, or
other diseases.
Before You Risk It...
Know the law. Cocaine-in any form-is illegal.
Stay informed. Even first-time cocaine users can have seizures or fatal heart attacks.
Know the risks. Combining cocaine with other drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous.
The effects of one drug can magnify the effects of another, and mixing substances can be
deadly.
Be aware. Cocaine is expensive. Regular users can spend hundreds and even thousands
of dollars on cocaine each week and some will do anything to support their addiction.
Stay in control. Cocaine impairs your judgment which may lead to unwise decisions
around sexual activity. This can increase your risk for HIV/AIDS and other diseases, as well
as rape and unplanned pregnancy.
Look around you. The vast majority of people aren't using cocaine. According to a 1998
study, less than 1 percent of teens are regular cocaine users. In fact, 98 percent of teens
have never even tried cocaine.
Stay informed. Even first-time cocaine users can have seizures or fatal heart attacks.
Know the risks. Combining cocaine with other drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous.
The effects of one drug can magnify the effects of another, and mixing substances can be
deadly.
Be aware. Cocaine is expensive. Regular users can spend hundreds and even thousands
of dollars on cocaine each week and some will do anything to support their addiction.
Stay in control. Cocaine impairs your judgment which may lead to unwise decisions
around sexual activity. This can increase your risk for HIV/AIDS and other diseases, as well
as rape and unplanned pregnancy.
Look around you. The vast majority of people aren't using cocaine. According to a 1998
study, less than 1 percent of teens are regular cocaine users. In fact, 98 percent of teens
have never even tried cocaine.
Know the Signs...
How can you tell if a friend is using cocaine? Sometimes it's tough to tell. But there are
signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or
she may be using cocaine or other illicit drugs:
Red, bloodshot eyes
A runny nose or frequently sniffing
A change in eating or sleeping patterns
A change in groups of friends
A change in school grades or behavior
Acting withdrawn, depressed, tired, or careless about personal appearance
Losing interest in school, family, or activities he or she used to enjoy
Frequently needing money
signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or
she may be using cocaine or other illicit drugs:
Red, bloodshot eyes
A runny nose or frequently sniffing
A change in eating or sleeping patterns
A change in groups of friends
A change in school grades or behavior
Acting withdrawn, depressed, tired, or careless about personal appearance
Losing interest in school, family, or activities he or she used to enjoy
Frequently needing money
Questions & Answers
Q. Is cocaine really still a problem?
A. Yes. While the number of cocaine users has decreased from what was witnessed in the
mid-1980's, there have been nearly 2 million cocaine users every year since 1992.
Q. Isn't crack less addictive than cocaine because it doesn't stay in your body very long?
A. No. Both cocaine and crack are powerfully addictive. The length of time it stays in your
body doesn't change that.
Q. Don't some people use cocaine to feel good?
A. Any positive feelings are fleeting and are usually followed by some very bad feelings, like
paranoia and intense cravings. Cocaine may give users a temporary illusion of power and
energy, but it often leaves them unable to function emotionally, physically, and sexually.
A. Yes. While the number of cocaine users has decreased from what was witnessed in the
mid-1980's, there have been nearly 2 million cocaine users every year since 1992.
Q. Isn't crack less addictive than cocaine because it doesn't stay in your body very long?
A. No. Both cocaine and crack are powerfully addictive. The length of time it stays in your
body doesn't change that.
Q. Don't some people use cocaine to feel good?
A. Any positive feelings are fleeting and are usually followed by some very bad feelings, like
paranoia and intense cravings. Cocaine may give users a temporary illusion of power and
energy, but it often leaves them unable to function emotionally, physically, and sexually.
Footnotes
1. 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1998.
1. 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1998.
Information from NCADI
