Cocaine is highly addictive, powerful stimulant commonly used as a party drug. It can come in different forms: Usually a white powder, or in a “rock” form known as crack.
Cocaine can be snorted, injected or smoked, a process known as “freebasing”. Cocaine is fast-acting, can be extremely dangerous and have serious consequences for your health.
Substances like cocaine are more dangerous when combined with other drugs such as depressants (for example, alcohol) because it can be very difficult to feel the effects of one or the other, which increases the risk of overdose.
There is an increase in contaminated cocaine reported in Canada. There is a high risk of overdose when someone uses cocaine contaminated with other substances such as opioids (eg fentanyl).
Cocaine is produced illegally from coca plant leaves, using a process that involves many toxic solvents such as acetone, kerosene and acids. Most of the world’s cocaine is produced in South America and smuggled into other countries, including Canada.
Cocaine is a stimulant that changes how your brain works. It can make you feel more alert, energetic, or high. Your heart rate and body temperature will increase.
Cocaine works on the brain by increasing the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter known as the “feel good” hormone.
Cocaine is very fast acting. Its effects can be felt within seconds to minutes, depending on how you consume it.
Cocaine affects you both physically and mentally. Short-term mental health effects include:
Panic and anxiety
Feelings of happiness or mental alertness
Increased energy or feelings of self-confidence
Paranoid thinking
Restlessness and irritability
Pupils get bigger
Muscle twitches
Heightened sight, sound, and touch
Decrease in appetite
Increased body temperature
Sweating
Heart palpitations/increased heart rate
Cocaine is highly addictive. This is because your body adjusts to increased levels of dopamine produced by the drug. The more you do cocaine, the more you need to get high. It can take more cocaine to produce the same effects over time, and withdrawal symptoms may appear.
Depression
Disruption of sleep patterns
Changes in mood
Violent or erratic behaviour
Feelings of paranoia and distrust
Lung disease
Nose bleeds or sinus infections, decreased sense of smell
High blood pressure
Heart disease – increased risk of irregular heart beats and heart attack
Some people experience stomach problems like abdominal pain, chronic nausea, and decreased appetite
If you use too much cocaine you are at risk of severe intoxication or overdose.
Extreme agitation or excitement
Fast heartbeat
Sweating
Chest pain
Feeling very warm
Severe headaches
Seizures
In and out of consciousness
Heart attack
Stroke
Seizures
Death
Psychosis – hallucinations and delusions and loss of sense of self and reality
Cocaine overdoses can be deadly. Cocaine does not have an antidote (like opioids do with Naloxone). This means it’s very difficult to treat a cocaine overdose. Someone who has overdosed on cocaine person needs medical attention.
Cocaine can be contaminated with opioids, which means Naloxone could be used.
Call your local emergency number before administering Naloxone.
Service available 24/7. Cree speakers and Elders are available upon request
NNADAP develops and runs prevention, intervention and aftercare activities to reduce or prevent alcohol and drug addiction in Eeyou Istchee.
Phone numbers to call in a health-related emergency.
