Large doses of cocaine stimulate the heart, increases blood pressure and breathing becomes shallow and rapid. The effects of cocaine are influenced by the route of administration. Smoking cocaine has become increasingly popular. Additionally, if a person injects cocaine, the person runs a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases such as AIDS or hepatitis. The stimulating effects of cocaine can be influenced by the current emotional and physical condition of the user, the purity of the cocaine, the dosage, the user's expectations, and the environment in which the drug is taken.
All drugs can be dangerous and risky to use.
All drugs have the potential to become psychologically habit forming. However, a special word of caution is in order. Because cocaine is fast acting and has an intense stimulating effect for a short period of time, cocaine has an extremely high abuse and addiction potential. Cocaine's purity, low price, increased availability and use of a smokeable form of the drug, contribute to the high risk of developing a cocaine addiction. Research studies done with animals have demonstrated the potential risk of uncontrolled, compulsive use.