It bypasses all that when you inject or smoke it, allowing it to enter the bloodstream almost immediately. People use coke for its intense psychological effects, like euphoria and boosted confidence. But it can also produce some not-so-pleasant psychological and physical effects. Some people process cocaine into a rock and smoke it, which we’ll get to next. Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach. However, we believe in providing accessible and accurate information to reduce the harm that can occur when using.

How is cocaine use disorder treated?

In comparison, the same survey results show 52.8 million people age 12 and older used marijuana and 1.1 million people used heroin. Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support. Once the high wears off, coke can leave you feeling depressed and extremely tired for several days.

1. We’ll cover everything you need to know, like what to expect from the high, potential risks, and what to do if things go south.
2. It may also make a person more likely to relapse if they try to stop using the drug.
3. They may refer you to a substance abuse counselor or recommend community-based programs.
4. It is normally found as a white, crystalline powder or as an off-white, chunky substance.

How does cocaine work in the brain?

Crack producers make crack with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) or ammonia and water, and it is heated to remove the hydrochloride. Crack is the street name for a type of cocaine that has had the hydrochloride removed, making it possible to smoke. When Coca-Cola was first produced, it contained 9 milligrams of cocaine per glass. In 1903, this ingredient was removed, but the drink still has coca flavoring. The 2021 (U.S.) National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) concludes 4.8 million people age 12 and older used cocaine in 2020.

Some effects of cocaine are almost instantaneous and typically last from a few minutes to 1 hour. With cocaine use disorder, you may become both physically and mentally dependent on the drug. If you stop using it, you’ll likely have withdrawal symptoms.

Cocaine Effects

In early tests, a vaccine helped reduce the risk of relapse in people who use cocaine. The vaccine activates your immune system to create antibodies that attach to cocaine and stop it from making its way into your brain. But we need much more research into whether the  vaccine  is safe and effective over the long term.

An overdose of cocaine can lead to seizures, life-threatening heart failure, cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, and respiratory failure. Long-term use can gradually change the brain’s reward system, increasing the risk of addiction. It’s important to remember addiction is a chronic disease. It’s not a sign of weakness, bad judgement or other personal characteristics. The best way to support someone coping with addiction is to encourage them to find help.

A typical dose of snorted cocaine is between 30 and 70 milligrams. Others dissolve the drug in water and inject it with a needle. When injected, it goes directly into your bloodstream for a very strong and near-instant effect. While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we’ll use this information to improve our online help. Depending on the nature of the abuse, some patients who seek help will be advised to attend a residential rehabilitation program, or a structured day program. The effects generally last between 15 and 30 minutes, but shorter with crack.

Counseling and other types of therapy are the most common treatments for cocaine use disorder. Sessions with solution based treatment & detox a trained therapist can help you make changes to your behaviors and thought processes. You may need to stay in a rehabilitation center (also known as rehab) for intensive therapy and support.

Smoking crack can damage your lungs and worsen asthma symptoms. If you inject it, you could develop tracks (puncture marks on your arms) and infections, such as HIV or hepatitis C. Reinforcement is much better understood, and it xanax for sleep vs ambien mainly involves the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Research indicates that cocaine use can significantly increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Smoking cocaine also increases the risk of developing respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and lung trauma, including group activities for recovering addicts bleeding. But the most significant effect is how cocaine use changes people’s brains, setting the stage for cocaine addiction (cocaine use disorder). A person should contact a doctor if they are using cocaine to discuss the health effects of the substance and support to help stop using it.