Short Term Side Effects
     Short term effects of cocaine include: dilated pupils, increased heart rate, restlessness, anxiety, increased temperature, insomnia, loss of appetite, and increased blood pressure.

     The duration of cocaine’s immediate euphoric effects — which include energy, reduced fatigue, and mental clarity — depend on how it is used. The faster the absorption, the more intense the “high.” However, the faster the absorption, the shorter the high lasts.

     The high from snorting may last 15–30 minutes, while that from smoking may last 5–10 minutes. Cocaine’s effects are short lived, and once the drug leaves the brain, the user experiences a “coke crash” that includes depression, irritability, and fatigue.

Cocaine in the Brain In the normal communication process, dopamine is released by a neuron into the synapse, where it can bind with dopamine receptors on neighboring neurons. Normally, dopamine is then recycled back into the transmitting neuron by a specialized protein called the dopamine transporter. If cocaine is present, it attaches to the dopamine transporter and blocks the normal recycling process, resulting in a buildup of dopamine in the synapse, which contributes to the pleasurable effects of cocaine. 3

Long Term Effects
     There is great risk whether cocaine is ingested by inhalation (snorting), injection, or smoking. It appears that compulsive cocaine use may develop even more rapidly if the substance is smoked rather than snorted. Smoking allows extremely high doses of cocaine to reach the brain very quickly and brings an intense and immediate high. The injecting drug user is at risk for transmitting or acquiring HIV infection/AIDS if needles or other injection equipment are shared. ⁴

     Users who smoke or inject cocaine may be at even greater risk than those who snort it. Smoking crack cocaine can produce a particularly aggressive paranoid behavior in users. Cocaine smokers suffer from acute respiratory problems including coughing, shortness of breath, and severe chest pains with lung trauma and bleeding. In addition, it appears that compulsive cocaine use may develop even more rapidly if the substance is smoked rather than snorted.

Know the Signs
     How can you tell if someone is using cocaine? Sometimes it’s tough to tell. But there are signs you can look for. Here are some warning signs, someone may be using cocaine or other illicit drugs:
     • red, bloodshot eyes
     • runny nose or frequent sniffing
     • change in eating or sleeping patterns
     • change in groups of friends
     • change in behavior / school grades
     • frequently needing money
     • losing interest in school, family, or activities once enjoyed
     • acting withdrawn, depressed, tired, or careless about personal appearance

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Sources
³ National Institute on Drug Abuse, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services,

Infofax: Cocaine (No. 13546), November 2000.

⁴ Gulf Coast Addiction Technology Transfer Center, Univ. of Texas at Austin,

Substance Abuse Trends in Texas, June 2004.