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Cocaine

Published on December 2, 2025 at 3:00 / Updated on December 16, 2025 at 8:01
Synonyms The most common synonyms are:
  • C, Big C, coke, crack, freebase, rock, snow.
Classification Stimulant:
  • Refers to a substance that stimulates mental function and increases the brain's overall activity and alertness.
Mechanism of action
  • Cocaine works by boosting certain chemical signals in the brain, which can create a quick burst of energy and an intense feeling of pleasure for a short time.
Routes of administration
  • Oral, snorted, smoked or injected.

Effects sought out by the user

Effects may vary based on the route of administration and the dose.

  • Decreased fatigue
  • Enhanced sensory perception
  • Euphoria (high)
  • Good spirits
  • Improved ability to communicate
  • Increased energy and alertness
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Increased sex drive
  • Reduced appetite

Common adverse effects

  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Dilated pupils
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Nose bleeds (if snorted)
  • Rapid breathing
  • Repetitive behaviour or movements
  • Runny nose
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Sweating
  • Rapid heart rate

Overdose effects

  • Abnormal increase in body temperature
  • Bleeding
  • Convulsions
  • Death
  • Heart attack
  • Hypertension/hypertensive crisis
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Kidney damage
  • Muscle breakdown
  • Psychosis
  • Respiratory depression
  • Stroke

Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)

Yes, doses must be increased to maintain the same effects.

Addiction

Yes, physical and psychological, after a few weeks or months of chronic use. Dependence is greater when the drug is injected or smoked.

Withdrawal

Yes. A depressive effect occurs a few minutes after the last hit. Withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Convulsions
  • Diarrhea
  • Dysphoria (depression, unease, irritability)
  • Excessive sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Impulsivity
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Muscle pain
  • Nausea
  • Paranoia
  • Poor concentration
  • Suicidal/aggressive thoughts
Onset and duration of action
Route of administration Onset of action Duration of action of the high
Oral10 minutes60 to 90 minutes
Snorted (cocaine)2 to 5 minutes15 to 30 minutes
Smoked (crack)A few seconds5 to 10 minutes
InjectedA few seconds10 to 20 minutes

Screening

Laboratory tests:

  • Blood: detectable for a few hours after the last use.
  • Urine: detectable for up to 2 to 3 days after the last use.

Intoxication management

  • No antidote available.
  • Treatment is mainly symptomatic.
Many different street drugs are sold under the same name. Furthermore, nothing guarantees the quantity, purity or even the content of a street drug in spite of the fact that it may, in some cases, look like medication.

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