Cocaine/Stimulants Fact Sheet

Cocaine is used medically as a local anesthetic. It is abused as a powerful physical and mental stimulant. The entire central nervous system is energized. Muscles are more tense, the heart beats faster and stronger, and the body burns more energy. The brain experiences an exhilaration caused by a large release of neurohormones associated with mood elevation.

Description:
The source of cocaine is the coca bush, grown almost exclusively in the mountainous regions of northern South America.

Cocaine hydrochloride - "snorting coke" is a white to creamy granular or lumpy powder that is chopped into fine powder before use. It is snorted into the nose, rubbed on the gums, or injected in veins. The effect is felt within minutes and lasts 40 to 50 minutes per "line."

Cocaine base - a small crystalline rock about the size of a small pebble. It boils at low temperature, is not soluble in water, and is up to 90% pure. It is heated in a glass pipe and the vapor is inhaled. The effect is felt within seven seconds. Common paraphernalia includes a "crack pipe" (a small glass smoking device for vaporizing the crack crystal) and a lighter, alcohol lamp, or small butane torch for heating.

Trade/street names include coke, rock, crack, free base, flake, snow, smoke and blow.

Signs and Symptoms of Use:

• Financial problems
• Frequent and extended absences from meetings or work assignments
• Increased physical activity and fatigue
• Isolation and withdrawal from friends and normal activities
• Secretive behaviors, frequent non-business visitors, delivered packages, and phone calls.
• Unusual defensiveness, anxiety and agitation.
• Wide mood swings
• Runny or irritated nose
• Difficulty in concentration
• Dilated pupils and visual impairment
• Restlessness
• Formication (sensation of bugs crawling on skin)
• High blood pressure
• Hallucinations and paranoia
• Hyperexcitability and overreaction to stimulus
• Insomnia
• Profuse sweating and dry mouth
• Talkativeness
   

Health Effects:
Research suggests that regular cocaine use may upset the chemical balance of the brain. As a result, it may speed up the aging process by causing irreparable damage to critical nerve cells. The onset of nervous system illnesses such as Parkinson's Disease could also occur.

Cocaine use causes the heart to beat faster and harder and rapidly increases blood pressure. In addition, cocaine causes spasms of blood vessels in the brain and heart. Both effects lead to ruptured vessels causing strokes or heart attacks.

Strong psychological dependency can occur with one "hit" of crack. Usually, mental dependency occurs within days (crack) or within several months (snorting coke). Cocaine causes the strongest mental dependency of any known drug.

Treatment success rates are lower than for other chemical dependencies.
Cocaine is extremely dangerous when taken with depressant drugs, Death due to overdose is rapid. The effects of an overdose are not usually reversible by medical intervention.

School or Workplace Issues:
Extreme mood and energy swings create instability. Sudden noises can cause a violent reaction.
Lapses in attention and ignoring warning signals can significantly increase the potential for accidents.
The high cost of cocaine frequently leads to workplace theft and/or drug dealing.
A developing paranoia and withdrawal create unpredictable and sometimes violent behavior.
Work performance is characterized by forgetfulness, absenteeism, tardiness, and missed assignments

Source: Drug Enforcement Administration in cooperation with the National Institute on Drug Abuse

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