How is cocaine used?

The principal routes of cocaine administration are oral, intranasal, intravenous, and inhalation. The slang terms for these routes are, respectively, "chewing," "snorting," "mainlining," "injecting," and "smoking" (including freebase and crack cocaine). Snorting is the process of inhaling cocaine powder through the nostrils, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal tissues. Injecting releases the drug directly into the bloodstream, and heightens the intensity of its effects. Smoking involves the inhalation of cocaine vapor or smoke into the lungs, where absorption into the bloodstream is as rapid as by injection. The drug can also be rubbed onto mucous tissues. Some users combine cocaine powder or crack with heroin in a "speedball."

Cocaine use ranges from occasional use to repeated or compulsive use, with a variety of patterns between these extremes. There is no safe way to use cocaine. Any route of administration can lead to absorption of toxic amounts of cocaine, leading to acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular emergencies that could result in sudden death. Repeated cocaine use by any route of administration can produce addiction and other adverse health consequences.

Next Page >

More About Cocaine:

• What is cocaine?
• What is the scope of cocaine use in the United States?
• How is cocaine used?
• How does cocaine produce its effects?
• What are the short-term effects of cocaine use?
• What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?
• What are the medical complications of cocaine abuse?
• Why would anyone become addicted to cocaine?
• Is cocaine addiction serious?
• Are there any other problems that can occur from crack or cocaine addiction?
• What is crack?
• History of Cocaine
• Cocaine's Role in American History
• Cocaine Addiction Index

Drug Information:

• Ecstasy Information
• Cocaine Information
• Methamphetamine/Speed Information
• Heroin Information
• Marijuana Information
• Oxycontin Information
• Alcohol Information
• LSD Information
• PCP Information
• Ketamine Information
• Prescription Drug Information
• DXM Information
• GHB Information
• Drug Information Index

^Top of Page | Site Index | Contact Us