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What you should know about Cocaine
This page talks through the effects of cocaine, risks and harm reduction. Young people helped create this page, working alongside the Unity service. Therefore, the stories featured relate specifically to Norfolk.
⚠️ Contaminated Cocaine ⚠️
Some Cocaine in Norfolk has been found to contain dangerous synthetic substances called Nitazenes. Nitazenes have been linked to overdoses and even deaths.
Risks of using Cocaine
Hover over the photos below, to see the risks of using Cocaine.
Health
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Increased heart rate
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High blood pressure
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Paranoia
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Hallucinations
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Seizures
Agitation
Feeling Disconnected or Psychotic Symptoms
Low Mood or Depression
Panic Attacks
Memory Problems
Overdose
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Tolerance can build quickly, so users would need to use more to get the same effects. This increases the risk of overdose.
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Heart Attack
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Stroke
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Damage to the Nasal Passage including nose bleeds, scabs in the nostrils, whistling sound from nose, pain, persistent runny nose and loss of smell.
Nasal Passage
Cocaine and the Brain
The Limbic System
Cocaine affects a part of the brain called the limbic system.
This area controls things like hunger, sleep, and emotions, and it's also where we feel pleasure and rewards. When someone uses cocaine, it causes a big rush of a brain chemical called dopamine, which makes them feel very good for a short time. Cocaine stops the brain from reusing dopamine, so the good feeling lasts longer. But after the drug wears off, the brain can run low on dopamine, which can lead to feeling sad, tired, or unmotivated.
The Limbic System
Nucleus Accumbens
Drawing by Sam Pearson.
The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is the part of your brain that controls pleasure and motivation - basically, how much you want something. When someone uses cocaine, it causes a surge in dopamine, creating a strong feeling of pleasure and reward. Cocaine changes the brain cells in the NAc, making them more sensitive to the drug.
These changes make the person feel a stronger urge to use. The brain forms powerful memories of the good feelings connected to cocaine, which trigger cravings. This makes it harder to stop using the drug, even when the person knows it's harmful. Unlike many other pleasurable experiences, the brain’s emotional attachment to cocaine lasts longer, making it more difficult to stop using even after a long gap.
Chronic cocaine use can also affect other parts of the brain, not just the areas linked to pleasure. These changes can make it harder for someone to think clearly or reflect on their own behaviour. This means people may not realise how serious their cocaine use has become, or they may struggle to see the harm it's causing in their life. It may reduce how pleasurable everything else feels, like eating nice food.
Cocaine can change behaviour and decision-making, and over time, it may reduce a person's ability to recognise the negative consequences of their drug use. In some cases, these brain changes can become long-lasting or even permanent, making recovery more challenging than with some other drugs.
Stay Safe Tips For You and Your Mates
If you use Cocaine, it’s important to know there are always risks. The only way to completely avoid these risks is to not use Cocaine, But if you do decide to use it, keep these tips in mind:
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Don’t mix with other drugs - Mixing cocaine with other substances can increase the risk of overdose or unpredictable reaction. Mixing alcohol and cocaine creates another substance in the body called Cocaethylene. This means it can cause much greater strain on the heart, liver and cardiovascular system.
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If snorting cocaine, ensure you alternate nostrils. After use, use sterile or bottled water or a saline spray, to flush any residue from your nostrils, this will prevent any left-over substance sitting in your nostrils and causing any damage.
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Use a clean personal sniffing straw, never share straws, notes or keys as these can lead to the spread of blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis B and C.
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We can provide Hep B inoculations – 3 vaccinations. Over 90% effective after the full series. The vaccinations contain non-infectious parts of the virus so it trains the immune system to recognize and fight off hep B if you’re exposed.
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Crush substances finely, larger bits can damage the delicate lining of the nostril causing cuts that can lead to infection or nose bleeds.
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Before use, use a saline spray to hydrate nasal lining and reduce irritation.
What Young People in Our Service Have to Say
Hear from young people about the impact of cocaine use on their lives.
Cocaine
I first started using cocaine at age 17 as to try it, but it never grew on me much. They say “cocaine gives you a boost” which is what made me try it. I’d thought it would give me a nice energetic feeling, hence why I tried it. Cocaine made me in a terrible mood after using, as I felt really tired and hardly spoke to anyone around me
My nose is atrocious, it will be bleeding and it really hurts, but when you sniff it makes it go number so it stops the pain. You’re kind of doing it to get rid of the pain, but in the long run it causes more pain.
About
The Matthew Project
If you’re under 19 and using ketamine or other substances, our Unity service is here to support you. You won’t get in trouble for reaching out. Click the button below to learn more about the Unity service.
If you are 19 or over, you will need to contact Change Grow Live.
