What is cocaine
                     What is cocaine?
The leaves of the South American coca plant are used to make the highly addictive narcotic cocaine. 
Most individuals can obtain it illegally, and some people use it to get high. Rarely, it is also used as a 
medication to provide anesthesia during specific procedures.
Cocaine is often a fine, white, crystal powder when used as an illegal street narcotic. To make it appear 
as though they had more cocaine, street sellers may combine it with flour, talc, or cornstarch. They can 
earn more money in this method. Additionally, they could combine it with other illicit substances. Crack 
cocaine is an alternative form of the substance. Crack cocaine has been turned into a rock crystal by 
heating it.
How do people use cocaine?
Cocaine powder is either rubbed into the gums or snorted through the nose. Others inject the powder 
into the bloodstream after dissolving it. Cocaine and heroin are sometimes injected together, referred to 
as a "speedball." Crack cocaine is smoked.
What are the short-term effects of cocaine?
Cocaine is a stimulant that can give users a sense of increased energy and alertness. However, it can also 
cause agitation, anxiety, paranoia, and restlessness. Excessive cocaine use can cause strange, erratic, and 
aggressive behavior.
The effects of cocaine start to show nearly instantly and go away in a few minutes to an hour. Depending 
on how it was used, the effects' duration and intensity will vary.
Cocaine can occasionally result in extremely serious health issues, including a heart attack, stroke, or 
coma.
What are the long-term effects of cocaine?
Long-term cocaine users are susceptible to health issues. Depending on how they used the cocaine, they 
will have different issues:
1. Snorting it can cause nasal injury, nosebleeds, difficulty swallowing, and a loss of sense of smell.
2, Coughing, asthma, breathing difficulties, and an increased risk of infections like pneumonia can all 
result from smoking it.
3. Scarring and infections of the skin or soft tissues may result from needle injection. Vein collapse may 
result from it. Blood cannot pass through a vein that has collapsed. Additionally, injecting cocaine 
increases the chance of contracting hepatitis C and HIV.
Parkinson's disease and other movement abnormalities, as well as malnourishment, are possible long-
term consequences of cocaine usage.
Tolerance to cocaine can develop after repeated use. This indicates that increasing amounts of the drug 
are required by users to achieve the same result. Over time, the body develops a dependence on cocaine
at larger dosages. A cocaine addict will experience withdrawal symptoms if they quit using the drug. 
These signs may consist of:
1. Depression
2. Restlessness
3. Fatigue
4. Increased appetite
5. Bad dreams and insomnia
6. Slowed thinking
Cocaine use disorder, often known as addiction, can result from repeated cocaine usage. There is more 
to this than just physical reliance. It is a long-term, chronic brain condition. When someone has it, they 
utilize cocaine despite the negative effects it has on their life. Health issues and the inability to fulfill 
obligations at work, school, or home are a few examples.
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. 
Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.