Cocaine is a purified extract from the leaves of the Erythroxylum coca bush. This plant grows in the Andes region of South America. Different chemical processes produce the two main forms of cocaine:

Powdered cocaine – Known on the street as “coke” or “blow”. This form dissolves in water and can either be snorted or injected.

Crack cocaine – Known on the street as “crack” or “rock”. Crack cocaine is made by a chemical process that leaves it in its “freebase” form, which is smoked.

The effect of cocaine is a short lived feeling of energy and euphoria in response to cocaine blocking the re-absorption of the neurotransmitters associated with pleasure (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine). This causes the brain to hold those neurotransmitters in the synapses for a longer period than normal so the euphoric feelings are sustained. However, this feeling is very short lived. Users find that after the short high is over, they feel depressed and ill and the urge to continue to use is very intense. Regular users also build up a tolerance and find they need to use more and more each time to achieve the same high.

Cocaine produces a high almost instantaneously. Upon ingestion it enters the bloodstream and travels quickly to the brain. The reality of cocaine hits after its short high is over. Cocaine has powerfully negative effects on the heart and brain as well as the user’s mental health. Continued use causes the brain to begin to communicate differently. Its natural ability to produce euphoric feelings becomes impaired. Therefore withdrawal symptoms from cocaine produce both physiological and psychological effects including severe depression and suicidal thoughts.