FAQs

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What Is Cocaine? Cocaine is a short-acting stimulant drug. Although usually a powder it originally comes from the leaves of coca plants.

Taking cocaine makes users feel more alert, energetic, and confident. They are also often very talkative and what people refer to as ‘euphoric’ or ‘high’.
What Does Cocaine Do? The immediate effect is for a user to start feeling more alert, energetic, and confident. They are also often very talkative and ‘euphoric’ (or ‘high’). They feel less need for sleep and food.

After a short time the effects starts to wear off (sometimes after only a few minutes) the user then starts to feel different effects, for example they can feel anxious, restless, irritability and generally ‘down’ rather than high. Think of it like a pendulum – the effects just swing the other way.

With longer-term use, cocaine users develop ‘tolerance’, that is their bodies get gradually used to it and more is needed to get the original effects and the same level of a ‘high’.

Some people also suffer from more long term effects such as regularly feeling anxious or depressed and professional help may be required.
Is Cocaine addictive and what happens if a cocaine user stops taking it?
Yes. Cocaine is highly addictive. Many people find cocaine extremely difficult to quit.

Many people do stop using despite finding it difficult, whilst they try to stop using they may well have what are referred to as ‘withdrawal’ symptoms, that is; feelings and physical symptoms that happen when the body is no longer receiving the drug. These symptoms vary but can include:
- Cravings – or strong desire to have the drug
- Tiredness
- General ‘low’ mood
- Irritability and restlessness
- Increased appetite
- Depression
- Suicidal
What happens if I drink alcohol and take cocaine? This is incredibly dangerous and many people don’t realise what’s happening.

When alcohol and cocaine are taken a third substance called cocaethylene is created in the liver. The heart rate can be 3 times higher than cocaine alone and with other complications there is increased risk of sudden death. Fore more information see the Drinking with Charlie website.
Surely its ok if I only use ching twice/three times a year? I do mix it with wine but Ive grown out of using it all the time. there are still risks no matter how little/often you use it. you dont know the purity of the cocaine, your tolerance is lower and therefore higher risk of overdose, and mixing it with alcohol always produces the coca-ethylene effect (including higher risk of strokes, heart attack and aggressive behaviour), thereby your long term health could be affected.

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SELF HELP

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