Cocaine

Cocaine – Reduce the Harms

#DoYouUseCocaine

In response to an increase in the use of cocaine powder and crack in Ireland, the Ana Liffey have partnered with the HSE Office of Social Inclusion to produce information and harm reduction resources for people who use drugs and healthcare professionals.

Download the Cocaine poster

Download the Cocaine factsheet

Download the Crack poster

Download the Crack factsheet

What is cocaine/crack?

Cocaine is an addictive, stimulant drug which can make people feel more alert, energetic and confident.

Crack is a form of cocaine made by chemically altering cocaine powder to form ‘crystals’ or ‘rocks’ which can be heated to produce vapours that are inhaled.

The effects wear off quickly, promoting the person using to repeat the dose in a binge type pattern that can increase the risks to health.

Crack has a more intense and immediate effect because it is delivered to the brain
much faster than cocaine powder with effects much stronger.

Administration

Snorting: Cocaine is most commonly sold as a fine white powder which is snorted. It
can be ground down until the powder is very fine, divided into lines and snorted by using a straw/tooter.

Dabbing “gumming”: Cocaine powder can be consumed by rubbing it onto the gums or by leaving it under the tongue. It is less commonly consumed in drinks or by swallowing orally.

Smoking/piping: Crack is most commonly smoked through a pipe. Using homemade
pipes created from tin cans and water bottles is not recommended. People are advised to contact local addiction services to access approved pipes, if available.

Injecting: Cocaine/crack can be dissolved in water and injected. Among certain user
groups, cocaine is sometimes injected in conjunction with heroin in what is known as a ‘speedball’.

Effects

Possible short-term effects

Feeling alert, energetic, exhilarated and confident
Heart rate can suddenly speed up and
blood pressure could increase
Raised body temperature
Restlessness
Hyperactivity
Dilated pupils
Dry mouth
Sweating
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Increased sex drive
Paranoia and irritability
A crash/come down with possible suicidal thoughts

Possible long-term effects

Constriction of blood vessels which can interrupt blood flow to the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems
Cardiovascular damage
Stroke
Insomnia, exhaustion and inability to relax
Marked changes in mood and behaviour
Loss of appetite
Feeling aggressive/ becoming violent
Anxiety and feeling depressed with
possible suicidal thoughts
Paranoia and hallucinations
Damage to nose tissue
Kidney and liver problems
Possible loss of sex drive if used long-term
Injecting may cause abscesses
Weight loss
Financial issues/drug-related debt
Dependence

Reduce the harms

It is always safest not to take unknown or illicit drugs at all if a person chooses to take cocaine/crack they are urged to follow the following harm-reduction advice:

If you decide to use cocaine, remember:

When buying, know your source and avoid using alone
Use one drug at a time and never mix with alcohol
Start with a small test dose and leave at least 2 hours between use
Grind cocaine to remove clumps, use your own sterile straw and never share
Carry a condom – cocaine can increase your sex drive

If you decide to use crack, remember:

Avoid using homemade crack pipes and don’t share your pipe
Avoid smoking the full rock
If injecting, start low and go slow to avoid overdose
If you feel low after using, seek professional help
If you or a friend feels suicidal immediately go to a hospital or call 112

Think about your health - Avoid using if you are feeling low, experience mental health problems, high blood pressure, a heart condition or become pregnant.

Overdose

Cocaine can raise the body’s temperature, cause convulsions, a heart attack or heart
failure. It is possible for cocaine users to die from an overdose. With stimulant type drugs, the risk of overdose increases with the amount used.

The risk of overdosing is also increased if cocaine is mixed with other drugs or alcohol.

An overdose on cocaine is more likely if cocaine is injected.

Recognised consequences of cocaine overdose are:

Restlessness
Pressured speech
Change in behaviour
A sudden rise in body temperature - feeling very warm or having hot skin
Flushed face
Muscle cramps
Stiffness in arms and legs
Confusion
Seizure
Increased motor activity
Hypertension – high blood pressure
Tachycardia
Irregular heart rhythm
Stroke
Heart attack
Unresponsiveness

Cocaine/crack and alcohol

When cocaine and alcohol are used together they combine in the body to produce cocaethylene which increases risk of damaging organs such as the liver and heart. Cocaethylene is more toxic than cocaine and alcohol alone and produces a greater increase in heart rates and blood pressure. Cocaethylene prolongs the effects of cocaine and takes longer to leave the system than cocaine alone. When using both alcohol and cocaine in combination, people risk continuing to drink without realising how intoxicated they are.

Cocaethylene increases the risk of epilepsy, suicide, violence, accidents and sudden death.

Be aware of your use - Take breaks in between use to give yourself some time to recover. Consider talking to a professional if you are finding it difficult to stop using cocaine.

Concerned about your cocaine use?

Take the DUDIT Online Self-Assessment tool to identify the impact of your use.

Search for a local support service through the Drugs.ie National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Services drugs.ie/services

For information and support on drugs and alcohol visit Drugs.ie The HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline can be reached on 1800 459 459 Monday – Friday 9:30 – 5:30.