COCAINE
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COCAINE
Version 1 - Published: June 2024 - Review Due: June 2025 - Charity No. 1051757
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What is cocaine?...................................................................1
How is it used?.......................................................................1
How does cocaine make you feel?.....................................2
Physical Health Risks...........................................................3
Mental Health Risks.............................................................4
Cocaine Addiction and Dependence.................................5
The Law Around Cocaine.....................................................6
Your Experience On Cocaine Depends On.........................7
Useful Contacts / Getting Help...........................................8
References.............................................................................9
CONTENTS
Some people smoke cocaine as ‘crack’ or
‘freebase’ through a glass pipe / tube /
plastic bottle / foil, but this is less common.
WHAT IS COCAINE?
Cocaine is a white powder made from the leaves of the South
American Coca plant. Cocaine is a stimulant, meaning that when
taken into the body, high levels of dopamine is sent into the parts
of your brain that control pleasure. There are three types of
cocaine; ‘coke’ (fine white powder), ‘crack’ (small lumps or rocks)
and ‘freebase’ (crystallised powder).
HOW IS IT USED?
Most people who take cocaine will snort it.
Users often crush it into a fine powder,
divide it into lines and snort it through the
nose. When snorted, cocaine normally
takes around 5 - 30 minutes to kick in.
Powdered coke an crack can be prepared to
make a solution for injecting, which is much
more dangerous than snorting or smoking
cocaine. This methods is the least common
ways to take cocaine..
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EFFECTS
RISKS
May feel happy and excited
Stop you feeling hungry
Wide awake
Feel hot
Confidents and ‘on top of
your game’
Makes you feel sick / need a
poo
More animated and chattier
Overconfident and arrogant
Can increase sexual desires
Agitated and edgy
HOW DOES COCAINE
MAKE YOU FEEL?
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As cocaine is a stimulant, high levels of dopamine gets sent to
the brain. This build up causes intense feelings of energy and
alertness, which last for a short period (see ‘Your experience on
ketamine depends on...’ for different factors that can affect this).
Due to cocaine’s short lasting high of approximately 20 - 30
minutes , users are likely to take more of the substance in a
smaller time frame or combine them with other substances to
endure a longer high. This puts the user at risk of overdosing and
/ or building up a quick tolerance to the drug (see ‘Cocaine
Addiction and Dependency’ for more information).
Seizures
Stroke
Heart
Attack
Cartilage
damage
Although stopping the use
of cocaine can help,
sometimes the damage
can be so serious that the
nose cartilage needs
surgical repair or even
removal.
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PHYSICAL HEALTH RISKS
Approximately 5.1% of young people aged 16 - 23 use cocaine
(Census, 2023). Cocaine use carries many severe health risk that
many users aren’t aware of.
If you
experience
any of these
symptoms
and are a
cocaine user,
consult your
GP and let
them know
you use
cocaine. It’s
never to late
to get help.
Misshapen
nose
Overdose
Chest
pains
Loss of
cartilage
(risk of one
large nostril)
Fits
Becoming
run-down
Anxiety
Resurfacing of
past mental
health issues
L
R
IS
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MENTAL HEALTH RISKS
As with any drug (defined as ‘a substance which has a
physiological effect when ingested or introduced into the body’),
cocaine alters your brain from it’s natural state which in turn will
effect your mental health.
Paranoid
Depression
Panic attacks
see ‘Useful Contacts’ if you are struggling with your mental
health
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COCAINE ADDICTION AND
DEPENDENCE:
ADDICTION = Defined as compulsive substance abuse despite
negative consequences.
Cocaine is an addictive substance, mainly due to how cocaine
alters the way dopamine (what makes you feel happy) is
released. Tolerance to cocaine builds up very quickly therefore
higher doses are needed to achieve the desired effects, which
not only puts the individual at risk of becoming addicted but also
at risk of overdosing.
DEPENDENCE = When the body physically relies on a drug.
This quick tolerance build up can lead individuals to take more
cocaine at a more frequent rate. This can cause you to become
psychologically dependent on cocaine. Regular use can lead to
physical withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop or cut back.
Severe cocaine cravings
Hard to concentrate
Feel low and depressed
Tried stopping but wasn’t able
to
Need larger quantities to
maintain a high
Inability to feel pleasure
without it
If any of these statements
apply to you and you use
cocaine, you may be
addicted and at risk of
developing a dependence.
It is never too late to get
help. See ‘Useful Contacts’
for how to access help that
suits you.
Maximum penalty for
possession
Maximum penalty for
supply and production
Class A
Up to 7 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or
both.
Up to life in prison, an
unlimited fine or both.
Class B
Up to 5 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Up to 14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Class C
Up to 2 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Up to 14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
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THE LAW AROUND
COCAINE
Cocaine is a Class A Drug, meaning that it is illegal to be found
carrying or using the drug (known as ‘possession’). It is also
illegal to give away or sell cocaine (known as ‘supply’), and is
considered a more serious offence.
Giving your friends cocaine or
sharing it with them can be
considered as ‘supply’, which
could get you life in prison.
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YOUR EXPERIENCE ON
COCAINE DEPENDS ON
Not every person is going to experience drugs in the same way.
Factors that affect your experience on cocaine include:
How much of the drug you have taken,
and the amount of time between taking
more of the drug.
Your physical size, and if you have
eaten or drank anything before taking
the drug.
Environment and people. You’re likely to
have a bad experience if you’re in an unsafe
environment with people you don’t trust.
Any other drugs you have taken. Mixing
drugs is extremely risky, but some
mixtures are more dangerous than others.
Purity - street cocaine is sometimes cut
with other substances, but it is impossible
to tell if it’s been cut by looking at it
The Zone
Free confidential information and support for Young People:
01752 206626 - www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
Harbour
Support for substance misuse:
01752 434343 - www.harbour.org.uk
Sharp
Support for substance misuse (young people up to age 18):
01752 434343 - THCPLTD.SHARP@nhs.net
www.harbour.org.uk/find-services/young-people
FRANK
Honest information about drugs:
0300 123 6600 - www.talktofrank.com
Youth Hub
Support for 16 - 24 year old's in developing skills, training,
education, careers and jobs in Plymouth:
www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk
Re-Solv
UK's solvent abuse charity:
01785 817885 - www.re-solv.org
Substance
Misuse
Resources
Harm reduction advice and information:
www.substancemisuseresources.co.uk
We Are With
You
Free confidential support on drugs, alcohol, mental health:
www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Narcotics
Anonymous
Information, support and advice on drug addiction:
0300 999 1212 - www.ukna.org
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USEFUL CONTACTS /
GETTING HELP
If you are in need of urgent help, call 999. Otherwise, these
contacts offer advice and help for issues related to
substance use and misuse in and around Plymouth.
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