Stimulants

Cocaine

Cocaine effects, withdrawal, drug testing, overdose, fentanyl, alcohol, addiction, crack and purity resources.

Overview

Cocaine is a powerful Schedule II stimulant with major cardiovascular, neurologic, psychiatric and addiction risks. Learn how cocaine…

Withdrawal

Cocaine withdrawal often begins with a crash involving exhaustion, low mood, sleep changes and craving. Learn the typical…

Drug testing

Cocaine has a short plasma half-life, but benzoylecgonine remains detectable longer. SAMHSA gives a typical urine window of…

Side effects

Cocaine can cause anxiety, insomnia and rapid heart rate, while severe complications include arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke, seizure,…

Addiction

Cocaine addiction, clinically called cocaine use disorder, can involve craving, repeated binges, loss of control and continued use…

Overdose

Cocaine overdose can cause heart attack, arrhythmia, stroke, seizure, hyperthermia and death. Learn warning signs, what emergency care…

Interaction

Cocaine and alcohol form cocaethylene, an active metabolite associated with additional cardiovascular risk. Learn what cocaethylene is, why…

Polysubstance risk

Illicit fentanyl can be mixed into cocaine without the user's knowledge. Learn how mixed stimulant-opioid overdose can look,…

Comparison

Crack and powder cocaine contain the same primary drug in different chemical forms. Learn how crack differs from…

Identification

DEA describes cocaine hydrochloride as a white crystalline powder, but color cannot prove purity. Learn why white, off-white…