Cocaine

Cocaine hydrochloride is most commonly snorted.⁴ It can also be injected and rubbed into the gums.²

Freebase and crack cocaine are usually smoked.^{2, 3}

Indigenous people of South America have traditionally chewed the leaves of the coca bush for their stimulant and appetite suppressant effects.^{1, 2}

Effects of cocaine

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Cocaine affects everyone differently, based on:

• size, weight and health
• whether the person is used to taking it
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• the amount taken
• the strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch).

You may experience:

• happiness and confidence
• talking more
• feeling energetic and alert
• anxiety
• paranoia
• irritability and agitation
• headaches
• dizziness.

• feeling physically strong and mentally sharp
• reduced appetite
• dry mouth
• enlarged (dilated) pupils
• higher blood pressure and faster heartbeat and breathing
• higher body temperature
• increased sex drive
• insomnia
• unpredictable, violent or aggressive behaviour
• indifference to pain.⁴

Overdose

If you take a large amount or have a strong batch, you could overdose. Call an ambulance straight away by dialling triple zero (000) if you have any of these symptoms (ambulance officers don’t need to involve the police):

• nausea and vomiting
• extreme anxiety
• chest pain
• panic
• extreme agitation and paranoia
• hallucinations
• tremors
• breathing irregularities
• kidney failure
• seizures
• stroke
• heart problems.^2,8

High doses and frequent heavy use can also cause ‘cocaine psychosis’, characterised by paranoia, hallucinations, unusual thoughts and out of character behaviour.⁴ These symptoms usually disappear a few days or weeks after the person stops using cocaine.⁴

Injecting cocaine can increase the risk of:

• overdose
• tetanus
• infection
• vein damage.

Sharing needles increases the risk of:

• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS.

Coming down

In the days after cocaine use, you may feel:

• irritability and paranoia
• mood swings
• feeling uncomfortable
• exhaustion.⁴

Long-term effects

Regular use of cocaine may eventually cause:

• dependence
• lung conditions such as bronchitis
• anxiety, paranoia and psychosis
• sexual dysfunction
• kidney failure
• stroke
• seizures
• hypertension and irregular heartbeat
• heart disease and death.^{4, 5}

Snorting cocaine regularly can also cause:

• runny nose and nose bleeds
• nose infection
• damage to the tissue separating the nostrils (nasal septum)
• loss of sense of smell.⁴

Withdrawal

Giving up cocaine after using it for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without it.

It’s therefore important to talk to your GP or another health professional before trying to give up.

Phases of withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms usually start around 6-12 hours after last use.

Withdrawal usually happens in 3 phases:

• Crash – feelings of depression or anxiety, cocaine cravings, extreme tiredness (experienced in the first few days)
• Withdrawal – cocaine cravings, lack of energy, anxiety, agitation, disturbed sleep,and an inability to feel pleasure (can last for several weeks)
• Extinction – withdrawal symptoms can occur over several months, gradually subsiding).⁴

Getting help

If your use of cocaine is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, you can find help and support. Call 1300 85 85 84 to speak to a real person and get answers to your questions as well as advice on practical ‘next steps’.