❄️ Cocaine
Source: Harm Reduction Victoria · DanceWize Victoria SSB
Overview
Cocaine is a short acting stimulant that speeds up breathing and heart rate.
Cocaine is a short acting stimulant that acts on the central nervous system (CNS), speeding up breathing and heart rate. Cocaine is extracted and refined from the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca) grown primarily in the Andean region of South America. The leaf extract is processed to produce 2 main types of cocaine.
Cocaine hydrochloride is a white, crystalline powder with a bitter, numbing taste and is often mixed, or 'cut', with other substances such as lactose and glucose, to dilute it before being sold. Crack cocaine is the smokable free-base form of cocaine and appears as whole crystals ranging in colour from white or cream to transparent with a pink or yellow hue, it may contain impurities. Crack is often found in the US, UK and other countries but is not commonly found in Australia.
As a result, this resource will focus on powdered cocaine only.
Safer Using
Try to use in comfortable environments with people you trust to look out for you if you overdo it. It's good to eat about 30 minutes before use. It is a good idea to start with a very small amount to gauge strength and assess your sensitivity.
Set a limit of how much you want to use and what time you plan to stop to avoid taking too much. Be aware of overheating or an elevated heart rate and make sure to cool down & chill out regularly. HYDRATE.
Keep your fluids up, but don't drink too much—1 cup of water (250ml) per hour when resting & 500ml per hour when active. Try eating every 2-3 hours. If you can't manage solid foods, at least have a smoothie/sports drink to keep your electrolytes up.
Sleep! Or at least lay down and rest during a 24-hour period to avoid sleep deprivation. When snorting: Crush into fine powder as crystals can be sharp and cause little cuts.
Snort water before & after to protect your nose. Use your own straw/spoon, (& not bank notes) to avoid sharing infection or blood borne virus transmission (HIV/Hep C). Repeated snorting can damage your nose, switch nostrils regularly and take breaks.
When injecting: Use your own, new and sterile injecting equipment (inc. water). Where it isn't possible to get sterile water, use filtered or cooled down boiled kettle water.
Bottled water is NOT sterile! AVOID sharing any of your equipment (water, spoon, filters, etc), not just needles. Wash your hands AND injecting site thoroughly before and after with soap and water or a fresh alcohol swab.
Wipe down the mixing area with warm soapy water or with a fresh swab. Avoid vein damage by rotating injection sites. Drink lots of water & warm up your body before injecting to make veins more visible.
Dispose of syringes & equipment responsibly. When shelving (dry) or plugging (wet mix): Use lubrication to avoid tearing the skin. Use a condom or latex/vinyl gloves to avoid internal scratches.
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after. Use sterile water to mix with powdered pills. Find a discreet and safe place to do it.
⚠ Avoid Combining With
Opioids, GHB or other depressants – risk of heart strain. Most depressants can cause loss of consciousness and respiratory arrest even when using stimulants. The amount of cocaine used may be greater when combined with a depressant, leading to increased strain on the body.
MAOIs – combining cocaine and MAOIs can cause a severe increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. Other stimulants (MDMA, amphetamines, etc) – combining multiple different stimulants can lead to heart strain or psychosis. Alcohol – combines with cocaine in the body to form coca-ethylene, which is significantly more harmful than the individual substances and creates a higher chance of dependency to both.
Psychedelics – cocaine can increase anxiety levels and amplify any negative psychedelic experiences.
🚨 If Things Go Wrong
Some Australian jurisdictions will test for cocaine in roadside drug testing. It is detectable in saliva tests for 24 to 72 hours since you last slept (not last dose). It is illegal to drive under the influence of any illicit drugs, including cocaine and any driver may be subject to a roadside behavioural impairment test.
Wait at least 24 hours before driving. Taking multiple doses over several hours can lengthen this period. Long term use of cocaine can have several potential effects, including anxiety, paranoia, irritability, insomnia, weight loss, mental health issues or damage to nasal cartilage.
Effects
Euphoria Elevated mood Increased confidence Irritability Aggression Reduced social inhibitions Increased focus and concentration Clearer thinking Increased alertness Psychosis Excited Delirium Decreased appetite Increased energy Decreased fatigue Dilated pupils Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Increased body temperature and sweating Constricted blood vessels Insomnia Restlessness Seizure Stroke Heart Attack
Dose & Duration
Snorting: 30-70mg per dose. For cocaine powder when snorted - Total Duration: 45 minutes-1.5 hours, Onset: 5-10 minutes, Peak: 20-40 minutes, Coming Down: 10-30 minutes, After Effects: 1-4 hours. Even though the effects of cocaine feel like they may wear off after 1 hour, the drug is still active in your system for up to 4-6 hours after you have taken it.