What is cocaine?

• A naturally derived CNS (central nervous system) stimulant extracted and refined from the coca plant
• Grown primarily in the Andean region of South America
• Typically a white-ish powder with a bitter, numbing taste
• Generally snorted but can also be injected, used orally or smoked

Because of the high temperatures present when smoking, powder cocaine tends to burn rather than vaporize. For this reason, freebase cocaine (a.k.a. 'crack') is created from powder cocaine for smoking. Freebase cocaine vaporizes at smoking temperatures providing more effect with less material, as well as faster onset and a more intense high than powder cocaine.

Law

Cocaine is illegal to possess and sell in Australia and in most other countries.

Effects

Onset

Immediate-1 min (whether snorted, smoked or injected)

Duration

20-40 minutes

The short duration of the effects of cocaine is a contributing factor to dependence (i.e.  as the effects wear off more is often snorted).

Find out more

More info

Contact: ACON Alcohol and Other Drugs Program

Tel: (02) 9206 2081
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2088

Email: aod@acon.org.au