The drug cocaine is a white powder processed from the leaves of the South American coca plant. By the time it reaches the street for sale and consumption it has been mixed with other similar-looking powders used to dilute the drug for profit increases. The drug can be used in any of the following ways:

Snorting - the drug is inhaled through the nasal passages. The drug takes effect within three minutes after snorting.

Injection - a riskier technique involving dissolving the cocaine in water to enable injection. The drug takes effect in about 20 seconds.

Smoking - the fastest way to get cocaine to the brain, it takes about 10 seconds. This is because smoked cocaine goes directly from the lungs to the left heart and brain, bypassing the right heart, venous system (injection), and nasal mucosa (intranasal use).

Cocaine overstimulates the central nervous system and produces an artificial euphoria. Use causes increases in heartbeat, respiration, body temperature, and blood pressure. Within minutes, possibly even seconds, the user feels a surge of energy and a sense of well-being. However, this can last as little as five minutes and creates a progressive desire to be reachieved to offset the feelings of agitation and depression created by the fleeting high.

General physical problems associated directly with cocaine use include (but not limited to) sleep problems, chronic fatigue, severe headaches, chronic cough, sore throat, nasal sores and nasal bleeding, seizures, loss of consciousness, brain seizures, respiratory collapse, heart attacks, and death. Psychological effects include (but not limited to) anxiety, paranoia, depression, irritability, apathy, difficulty in concentrating, memory problems, sexual dysfunctions/disinterest, and panic attacks.

Cocaine Freebase is a form of cocaine that is smoked. Freebase is a result of a chemical process whereby "street cocaine" (cocaine hydrochloride) is converted to a pure base by removing the hydrochloride salt and many of the agents used to dilute the cocaine. The end product, freebase, is not water soluble, therefore it is smoked. Associated all the previously listed adverse symptoms on this page to cocaine freebase.

Crack is the street name given to freebase cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride to a base, using ammonia or baking soda and water and heating it to remove the hydrochloride, rather than the more volatile method of processing which uses ether. The process to convert cocaine hydrochloride to "crack" does not necessarily result in the elimination of hydrochloride, fillers, and impurities in the cocaine, and sodium bicarbonate. The term "crack" refers to the crackling sound that is heard when the mixture is smoked (by heating it), presumably due to the sodium bicarbonate. Associate all the previously listed adverse symptoms on this page to crack cocaine.

This information has been generously provided by the Alcove, West Jersey Health System's Addiction Treatment Program. For further information, or for assistance, treatment and referral call Alcove (609) 342-4505.