Cocaine & Other Amphetamines

WHAT IS "COKE"?

Cocaine is an amphetamine, most often a powder, that is snorted up the nose, or rubbed onto the gums which is frequently referred to as “snow or blow.”

Cocaine (coke), is made from the leaves of the coca plant and is an illegal drug. When processed into a rock crystal, it's called freebase cocaine, rock or crack.1

Some amphetamines, like Adderall, are prescribed legally by doctors to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Other forms of amphetamines, like methamphetamine (meth or crystal meth), don’t have medical use and are illegal.2

Signs someone is misusing:

SIGNS SOMEONE COULD BE MISUSING:

Someone misusing cocaine or other amphetamines can:

seem extremely talkative and alert
might eat less
might sleep less/may not sleep for days in a row
become aggressive or violent
experience rapid weight loss
have money problems

Drug paraphernalia that may be found in user's living space:

rolled up dollar bills
aluminum foil
small vials
baggies
pipes

What do they do?

Prescription amphetamines are taken in a pill form. They can be used legally when prescribed by a doctor, and they can be misused, when taken without a prescription or at a higher dosage than prescribed.

When someone with a medical need takes Adderall as prescribed, the medication has a focusing and calming effect. When someone using for a long period of time, cocaine and amphetamines can cause heart and respiratory problems.

When stimulants are used recreationally, users feel more alert and attentive, have an increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased energy, attentiveness, and sexual arousal at first. When the drugs wear off, the "comedown" can be very severe. Users experience anxiety, irritability, and insomnia.3

NIDA. Cocaine. June 2016.
NIDA. Methamphetamine. December 2012.

3. SAMSHA. Stimulants. 2 March 2016