Cocaine is a stimulate drug, which can be consumed in powder cocaine form, normally snorted, rubbed into the gums or injected.
Common names such as ‘charlie’, ‘crack’ and ‘snow’.
Cocaine might make you feel excited, confident, anxious, panicky. However, many who use cocaine, experience a comedown once the effects wear off, including tiredness, anxiety and feeling down.
Research. Especially if you have never used cocaine before, it is worth doing a bit of research beforehand. This allows you to prepare before you use, but also know what to expect when under the influence, as well as after. It can also help you make an informed decision about whether you use or not.
Do not use alone. If you intend on using cocaine, ensure that you are with a ‘sober’ friend. You can overdose from cocaine, so it is worth knowing what the signs are, so you can help out your mates, if needed.
Crack cocaine. Crack cocaine and cocaine are the same drug. The powder form of cocaine, which is also known as cocaine hydrochloride, tends to be snorted, where as crack cocaine tends to be smoked. The way you use drugs, whether it be smoking or snorting, will have a significant impact on the effects and the intensity, a user will experience. Smoking a drug is the quickest way to get the substance to your brain, but the effects can be much shorter lasting, compared to snorting,
Do not share. Most people tend to use cocaine (hydrochloride) via snorting and therefore using paraphernalia such as bank notes or straws. Avoid sharing such equipment and only use your own. If someone was to use crack cocaine, they may well use a pipe to smoke. Sharing any form of paraphernalia can increase the risk of transmitting various infections and viruses such as hepatitis.
Chop it up. If you are thinking about using cocaine, ensure you crush or grind the powder up as fine as possible before snorting. This will help to reduce the risk of soft tissue damage within the nose, as well as help to judge your dose more accurately.
Start low and go slow. You can never tell how ‘pure’ your cocaine is, by just looking at it. Whether you are considering taking cocaine for the first time, or you have used it many times before, always take a small test dose first, and wait a few hours before taking any more. The strength and toxicity of cocaine varies from batch to batch. Ideally, get your sample tested by a drug checking service, if that is available. You can buy drug checking tests online, but be aware, they are not always accurate.
What’s in my cocaine? Cocaine, like many other drugs, can contain adulterants and diluents. Cocaine often contains other substances such as benzocaine, levamisole, lactose and caffeine. Some of these have anaesthetic properties, meaning it can sometimes result in the feeling of numbness and therefore reduce your perception of pain.
Mixing with alcohol. It is advised not to mix cocaine with any drugs. It could lead to unexpected and unpredictable effects. Mixing cocaine with alcohol can result in your liver producing a third drug called cocaethylene, which is more toxic to your body, than either cocaine or alcohol separately.
Think about consent and safe sex. When under the influence, you may be more likely to do things you wouldn’t normally do. It can also impair your judgement. Ensure that if you intend to have sex, that all individuals involved consent to this before and during. It is also always best to prepare for certain situations too, such as carrying contraception, like condoms or dams, if you do end up having sex. You can get free condoms from any of our services and free home STI testing kits from Frisky Wales.
Snorting. Firstly, avoid sharing any notes, straws, keys or any other snorting paraphernalia. Only use your own. Place the tool as high up your nostril as possible and alternate nostrils if you plan on taking several ‘hits’. Also, aim to wash your nostrils out after each session and apply a thin layer of vitamin E oil after rinsing.
Comedowns. What goes up, must come down. The after affects, or the ‘comedown’/ ‘crash’ as many call it, can differ from person to person. These tend to be the opposite effects to what someone may experience when under the influence. People can become tried, lethargic or even experience poor mental health. But it will pass. Try and get plenty of rest. It’s also worth having a mate around that can help you prep a healthy meal (banana’s, nuts and veg are great to help during a comedown). Having a mate around can also encourage you have some fun and help the time pass quicker. If you are really concerned about the effects you are experiencing, reach out to a trusted adult or seek medical assistance.
Stay hydrated. Using stimulants like cocaine leads to the body working harder than usual, as well as you experiencing a boost in energy, which could lead you to sweating more than normal. It’s important to take on fluids so not to become dehydrated. Usually, sip half a pint of water over an hours’ period. If you are sweating more than normal, maybe sip up to a pint per hour.
Take a break. Once your session is finished, it is advised to give your body a break for at least a couple of weeks, to help it fully recover. Be aware though, if you have an extended break, your tolerance can drop, meaning the next time you use, you may not need to take as much as previously did, to experience similar effects. Therefore, it’s important to take a small test dose and wait a few hours, at the start of your next session.
Look after your mates. Just as it says on the tin. Look after your mates, just as you’d want them to look after you. If you notice a mate struggling or experiencing negative effects, take them to a quiet space and reassure them. If you notice a mate who has been taking drugs, asleep, put them in the recovery position and regularly check on them, to avoid them choking on their own vomit. If you are concerned, seek medical assistance immediately.
Reach out. If you are concerned about your own, or a loved one’s drug use, you can get free, confidential support from any of our services. Our trained staff provide 1-2-1 support, without judgement, for anyone affected by substance use, and facilitate you in making the changes you wish to make. Why not chat immediately to a trained support worker via our Live Webchat Service.
A cocaine overdose can pose serious risks to your physical and mental health.2 Some of the most frequent and severe signs and symptoms include:
Other potential and less severe symptoms of a cocaine overdose can include:
What to do in the event of an overdose?
Check for danger
Increase of physical health: Cocaine increases blood pressure and increases the risk of heart conditions, therefore reducing will decrease your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Snorting effects the cartilage in your nose that separates your nostril, therefore reducing useage will prevent the lose of the cartilage.
Increase mental health: Use of cocaine can make people feel depressed, run-down, anxious and paranoid.
More money: Cocaine can be costly, regardless of how much you use. Therefore, by reducing your intake can lead to you having more money in your back pocket.
Improved relationships: It can be hard to see a loved one be negatively affected by cocaine use and therefore it can put strain on relationships. Reducing cocaine use could mean more quality time spent with family and friends.
If you’re thinking of addressing your cocaine use, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
There are also some steps you can take yourself to help you cut down or quit:
Reach out for support.Services like Barod provide free, confidential one-to-one support for anyone affected by substance use. We also facilitate mutual aid groups, such as SMART Recovery, where people can gain peer support, from people who may find themselves in a similar situation. While accessing services may not always be possible for some, we’d still recommend reaching out to someone you feel could help you achieve your goals.
Look out for any ‘triggers’. It might be when you drink, or when you’re with certain people, for example.
Track your usage. Using tools such as mood diary can help you identify any potential patterns to your cocaine use. Without knowing it, you could use cocaine more at a certain time of the day or week, or when you are with certain people. Therefore, this provides you with a starting point of where you can start to cut down.
Start to make a plan. If you can figure out your triggers, you can start to make a plan. You might want to cut some triggers out completely or avoid combinations that give you cravings. Changing your habits or breaking off contact with certain friends can be difficult, but it often helps in the long term.
Identify and develop strategies for managing triggers. If you usually use cocaine after drinking, you might want to cut down on alcohol as well. Some people don’t use cocaine while they’re sober, but are more likely to take risks while they’re drinking. You can find additional advice on cutting down here
Plan ahead. Take a limited amount of cash out with you, and leave your bank card at home. This means you’re less likely to spend money on cocaine. Ask your friends to help you stick to your money limit.
Make a list. Some people find it useful to make a list of all the reasons they don’t want to take cocaine. ‘I’ll have a better relationship with my friends and family’, for example. Use the list to help you stay focused.
We provide support to anyone affected by cocaine use, including those affected by a loved one’s use. Below is the list of areas we currently cover. Just click on the service for more information including their contact details. Alternatively, access our Live Webchat Service and speak to one of our trained support workers.
DDAS (Adults) and Choices West (Young People) – covering Dyfed including Llanelli, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Cardigan and Aberystwyth and everywhere in-between.
Swansea (Adults) and Choices Swansea (Young People) – covering the City and County of Swansea.
CTDAS (Adults) and Cwm Taf Young Persons – covering Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf including Pontypridd and Aberdare.
BDAS (Adults) and Bridgend Young Persons – Covering the Bridgend area.
CAVDAS (Adults) and CAVDAS Young Persons – Covering Cardiff and the Vale.
GDAS (Adults) and Gwent N-Gage (Young Persons) – covering Gwent including Newport, Ebbw Vale, Monthmouth, Caerphilly and Torfaen.
Sometimes it is hard to know where to start when you are concerned about a loved one and their substance use, especially how to start and have a conversation with them about their use. Here are some tips we have put together which may make having that conservation a little easier.
Stay Calm – when talking to a loved one about their substance use it can often be a very emotive subject and they may become defensive and angry. Stay calm in order to reduce the conversation escalating into an argument. It is very difficult to argue with a calm person.
Time – choose a time that is good for both of you. If they are intoxicated or have had a bad day this may not be the best time to talk about their substance use. Choose a time when you are both calm and don’t have any distractions around so you can have a meaningful conversation.
Listen – it is important to allow your loved one to talk – that is the whole point of a conversation. Listen carefully to what they are saying and don’t interrupt.
Don’t be judgmental – your loved one probably knows that their substance use is having an impact on the people around them and often feel a great sense of guilt and shame. You may not agree with their actions but try not to judge or accuse them as they probably already feel judged by the people around them and may become defensive.
Ask open questions – ask questions where it is difficult to give one word answers. This can help a conversation flow and avoids an easy “yes” or “no” answer.
Positives – your loved one is probably very aware of all the negative things they may be doing. Try and let them know of the positives they are doing. Everyone likes to know when they are doing something good and it encourages us to keep doing that positive thing.
Knowledge – research information on drugs and alcohol. It may help you understand some of their behaviours and recognise when they are intoxicated and what support is available.
Get support – Barod offer support for loved ones who may be concerned or affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use as well as support for loved ones who are using substances.
Sometimes a loved one may not be ready to have a conversation about their substance use. It is important to let them know you are there and ready to have that conversation. Don’t be disheartened if they don’t wish to talk about their substance use straight away, the fact you have approached the subject in a non judgmental and supportive way shows them you care.
A stimulant overdose is different to that of an opioid one. Why not watch YouthRise’s short video highlighting how to avoid a stimulant overdose, here.
You can also check out some of our top harm reduction tips for other specific drugs by clicking on each of the substances below:
