

as a prescription solution for local mucosal anesthesia, and for some eye, ear, and throat surgeries, but is infrequently used because of safer alternatives, such as lidocaine or benzocaine. How is cocaine used medically?Ĭocaine is available in the U.S. In the U.S., it was found as an active ingredient in many elixirs and tonics used in the early 1900's and was even found in Coca-Cola products at that time. The early use was not just limited to South American countries. Coca-leaf infusions or teas have been used to combat altitude sickness and boost energy in many native tribes of South America. The pure drug is extracted from the Erythroxylon coca bush, found primarily in the South American countries of Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. Learn More: Commonly Abused Drugs and Substances Where does cocaine come from?Ĭocaine originates from coca leaves, and has been used for centuries in a variety of cultural applications. rose in the mid-1980's and is considered the most addictive form of the drug. The term "crack" refers to the crackling sound heard when it is heated prior to smoking. It produces a much more intense "rush" than snorting the drug and can be extremely addictive due to the quick high and repeated use. People who use this drug in any form may "binge" - taking the drug repeatedly within a short time and at increasingly higher doses - to maintain their high.Ĭrack cocaine ("crack") is another form that is processed into a rock form using baking soda and may contain a high percentage of impurities. Diethyl ether is used to process freebase and is highly flammable and volatile, often leading to lab explosions and bodily injury such as burns. This ‘freebase’ form is not water-soluble the powder can be heated and its vapors smoked due to the lower melting point.


when used as recreational drug.įreebase is cocaine hydrochloride that is processed with ammonia and heated to remove the hydrochloride salt. The powdered, hydrochloride salt form can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected. Use in any form is illegal in the U.S. On the street it is usually sold as a fine, white powder. Common or street names: coke, C, blow, snow, flake the base form is called freebase or crack What is cocaine?Ĭocaine (C 17H 21NO 4) is a powerfully addictive, psychoactive, stimulant drug.
