The main methods of administering cocaine are oral, intranasal, intravenous, and inhalation. Snorting, or intranasal administration, is when the individual inhales cocaine powder through the nostrils; thereafter, it enters the nasal tissues, absorbing it into the bloodstream. Injecting, or intravenous use of cocaine, causes a release of the drug straight into the bloodstream, heightening the intensity of its effects. Smoking cocaine involves inhaling cocaine vapor or smoke into the lungs; in this case, absorption into the bloodstream is as swift as by injection. This immediate and “rush” effect is one of the main reasons crack became tremendously popular in the 1980s. The use of cocaine ranges from occasional use to cocaine abuse,, and oftentimes an addiction to cocaine. Besides for medical uses, there is no secure method of using cocaine. Any manner of usage can cause absorption of toxic amounts of cocaine, resulting in possible acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular emergencies, seizures, and possibly sudden death.

The effects of cocaine occur almost right after a single dose and disappear within a few minutes or within an hour. When consumed in small dosages, cocaine normally makes the user feel euphoric, energetic, talkative, and mentally alert; they are especially sensitive to the sensations of sight, sound, and touch. It can cause a short-term loss of interest in food and sleep. Some individuals claim that cocaine makes performing physical and intellectual tasks quicker and simpler, while others claim the opposite. Regardless, the use of cocaine is often a precursor to cocaine abuse or an addiction to cocaine.

The length of how long the user will endure the euphoria from the cocaine depends upon the route of administration. The quicker the drug is absorbed, the more powerful the resulting high, but this will also result in a shorter “high”. For example, when snorted, the high from the cocaine may be slow to arrive but lasts for 15 to 30 minutes. However, when smoked, the effects are more immediate but may last only 5 to 10 minutes. When used for the short-term, cocaine causes physiological effects, such as constricted blood vessels; dilated pupils; and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Consuming large amounts of cocaine may intensify the user’s high but can also result in strange, erratic, and violent behavior. Some cocaine users report feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiousness.

Cocaine abuse can also cause severe medical complications, including cardiovascular effects, such as irregular heart rhythm and heart attacks; neurological issues, such as strokes, seizures, headaches, and even coma; and gastrointestinal problems, including stomach pain and nausea. On rare occasions, sudden death can occur in a first-time user or unexpectedly thereafter. Deaths related to cocaine use are usually a result of cardiac arrest followed by respiratory arrest. Studies have also revealed a potentially hazardous connection between cocaine and alcohol. Notably, this mixture is responsible for most drug-related deaths.

Cocaine abuse should not be treated lightly. It is a disheartening disease, one in which the abuser needs help to overcome. By contacting a treatment facility, help and permanent recovery is possible.