Cocaine (cocaine hydrochloride) is a white powder extracted from the leaves of the coca plant.
HOW IT’S USED
Cocaine is normally sniffed through the nose (snorted), although it can be injected or smoked when turned into ‘freebase’ or ‘crack cocaine’.
THE LAW
Cocaine is categorised as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act and is illegal to have, give away or sell.
Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying someone, including your friends, can get you life and an unlimited fine.
PHYSICAL EFFECTS
Cocaine makes you feel confident, exhilarated, excited and alert on the way up, and can make you feel paranoid, aggressive and anxious on the way down.
Effects include increased heartbeat, faster breathing, and raised blood pressure and body temperature.
When it’s snorted, the effects will start within a few minutes and last approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
How it affects you can depend on a lot of factors, such as how much you’ve taken, your mood, your size, how often you use cocaine, and what other drugs you’ve taken.
Cocaine can increase sexual desire and intensity, but taking too much can actually decrease your sex drive.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Cocaine increases blood pressure: it damages the blood vessels close to your heart, which can narrow or close down. That is not good!
Cocaine can cause overheating, especially if you’re mixing it with other stimulant drugs, which risks a seizure or fit.
Snorting cocaine damages the inside of your nose, causing inflammation and bleeding. This can allow viruses – such as Hepatitis and HIV – to pass into your system more easily from shared straws, banknotes or any other snorting devices.
MENTAL HEALTH
Cocaine screws up the chemicals in your brain that affect your mood. The more you use, the more you are likely to experience anxiety, depression and paranoia.
