Cocaine

Info

To learn more about cocaine or obtain referrals to 

programs in your community, contact:

SAMHSA’s Information Network 

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727)

(English and Spanish)

TTY 1-800-487-4889

The bottom line: If you know someone who has 

a problem with cocaine/crack cocaine, urge him 

or her to stop or get help. If you use it—stop! The 

longer you ignore the real facts, the more chances 

you take with your life. It’s never too late. Talk to 

your parents, a doctor, a counselor, a teacher, or 

another adult you trust.

Do it today!

Curious about the TV ads of the National Youth

Anti-Drug Media Campaign? Check out the Web site at

www.freevibe.com or visit the Office of National Drug

Control Policy Web site at www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov.

 A& Q 

Q. Is cocaine really still a 

problem?

A. Yes. In 2006, more than 1.0 

million people tried cocaine.2

Q. Isn’t crack less addictive 

than cocaine because it 

doesn’t stay in your body 

very long?

A. No. Both cocaine and crack are 

powerfully addictive. The length 

of time it stays in your body 

doesn’t change that.

Q. Don’t some people use 

cocaine to feel good?

A. Any positive feelings are fleeting 

and often followed by some very 

bad feelings, like paranoia and 

intense cravings. Cocaine may 

give users a temporary illusion 

of power and energy, but it often 

leaves them unable to function 

emotionally, physically, and 

sexually.
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The Truth About Cocaine 

Slang—Coke, Dust, Toot, Snow, Blow, Sneeze, Powder, Lines, Rock (Crack)

Get the Facts...

Cocaine affects your brain. The word “cocaine” 

refers to the drug in both a powder (cocaine) and 

crystal (crack) form. It is made from the coca plant and 

causes a short-lived high that is immediately followed 

by opposite, intense feelings of depression, edginess, 

and a craving for more of the drug. Cocaine may be 

snorted as a powder, converted to a liquid form for 

injection with a needle, or processed into a crystal form 

to be smoked. 

Cocaine affects your body. People who use cocaine 

often don’t eat or sleep regularly. They can experience 

increased heart rate, muscle spasms, and convulsions. 

If they snort cocaine, they can also permanently 

damage their nasal tissue.

Cocaine affects your emotions. Using cocaine can 

make you feel paranoid, angry, hostile, and anxious, 

even when you’re not high.

Cocaine is addictive. Cocaine interferes with the way 

your brain processes chemicals that create feelings 

of pleasure, so you need more and more of the drug 

just to feel normal. People who become addicted to 

cocaine start to lose interest in other areas of their life, 

like school, friends, and sports.

Cocaine can kill you. Cocaine use can cause heart 

attacks, seizures, strokes, and respiratory failure. 

People who share needles can also contract hepatitis, 

HIV/AIDS, or other diseases.

Before You Risk It...

Know the law. Cocaine—in any form—is illegal.

Stay informed. Even first-time cocaine users can 

have seizures or fatal heart attacks.

Know the risks. Combining cocaine with other drugs 

or alcohol is extremely dangerous. The effects of one 

drug can magnify the effects of another, and mixing 

substances can be deadly. 

Be aware. Cocaine is expensive. Regular users can 

spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars on 

cocaine each week.

Stay in control. Cocaine impairs your judgment, 

which may lead to unwise decisions around sexual 

activity. This can increase your risk for HIV/AIDS, other 

diseases, rape, and unplanned pregnancy.

Look around you. The vast majority of teens aren’t 

using cocaine. According to a 2006 study, less than 

1 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds are regular cocaine 

users. In fact, around 98 percent of teens have never 

even tried cocaine.1

Know the Signs...

How can you tell if a friend is using cocaine?

Sometimes it’s tough to tell. But there are signs you 

can look for. If your friend has one or more of the 

following warning signs, he or she may be using 

cocaine or other illicit drugs:

Red,	bloodshot	eyes

A	runny	nose	or	frequent	sniffing

A	change	in	groups	of	friends	

Acting	withdrawn,	depressed,	tired,	or	careless	

about personal appearance

Losing	interest	in	school,	family,	or	activities	he	or	

she used to enjoy

Frequently	needing	money	

What can you do to help someone who is using 

cocaine? Be a real friend. Save a life. Encourage your 

friend	to	stop	or	seek	professional	help.	For	information	

and referrals, call the SAMHSA’s Health Information 

Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727).

For more information or for references to facts found in this Tips for Teens, 

go to www.samhsa.gov/SHIN.

Revised in 2008.