A look at cocaine

Cocaine is a naturally occurring substance produced by the coca plant. It is consumed in several preparations (e.g. coca leaves, coca paste, cocaine hydrochloride, and cocaine alkaloids such as freebase and crack) that differ in potency due to varying levels of purity and speed of onset. It also has vasoconstrictive properties, closing down tiny blood vessels in the area of injection. As a result, users must constantly find new locations on the body to inject the drug.  

Cocaine cannot be absorbed through unbroken skin but it can easily be absorbed through tissues such as the mucus membranes of the nasal passages and through the eye. It is particularly well absorbed through the vascular bed of the lungs when it is smoked and inhaled.

Solvents used in the preparation of coca paste often contaminate the paste and may cause toxic effects in the central nervous system and other organ systems when the paste is smoked. Cocaine hydrochloride powder is usually “snorted” through the nostrils (“snorting”) or dissolved in water and injected intravenously. It is sometimes mixed with heroin, yielding a drug combination known as a “speedball.”

When abused, cocaine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. It depresses the inhibitory neuronal pathways, causing euphoria, restlessness, and excitement. It acts centrally on the nervous system and causes an increased heart and respiratory rate (followed by a decrease), as well as a rapid rise in blood pressure.

Cocaine abusers may experience anxiety, insomnia, anorexia, weight loss, hyperactivity, paranoia, and euphoria. When abusers stop using cocaine, they may suffer an extreme emotional rebound, and may become depressed and suicidal.

With low doses of cocaine there may be an increase of motor activity, and high doses results in lack of coordination. Very high doses may result in tremor, lack of coordination, and death. The immediate cause of death from cocaine is respiratory and cardiac arrest.

A common used form of cocaine is “crack” or “rock,” a cocaine alkaloid that is extracted from its powdered hydrochloride salt by mixing it with sodium bicarbonate and allowing it to dry into small “rocks.” These small pieces can be smoked, either by combining them with tobacco or marijuana in a cigarette or in a water pipe.

All street forms of cocaine contain additives which are toxic to the user. The additives include sugars and stimulants which can cause psychosis, seizures, and irritability. Also, poisons are often added that can lead to acute kidney failure. Additives contribute to death associated with crack use.

Presently, crack/cocaine contains a toxic hog de-wormer (Levamisole) which also causes infections. Symptoms include fever and chills, swollen glands, painful sores in your mouth or anus, skin infection with dark skin patches, sore throat, pneumonia,  and other infections.