Cocaine is an illegal stimulant drug that originates in South America from the coca plant. Cocaine is highly addictive with approximately 1.3 million individuals being diagnosed with cocaine use disorder. (1) Cocaine can be ingested in a multitude of ways, including inhalation through the nose, intravenous injections, smoking, and oral consumption. For those who have never engaged in cocaine use, they may wonder, is cocaine among the drugs that produces an odor, and if so, what does cocaine smell like? Pure cocaine is odorless, however different chemicals may be added, creating various smells.
Cocaine is an addictive substance, with 25 percent of individuals, who engage in this substance, developing cocaine use disorder after their first use. (2) Cocaine use disorder causes individuals to begin to neglect important aspects of their life, such as relationships, work, or their home responsibilities. Substance use treatment is the main form of treatment for those experiencing cocaine use disorder. Guardian Recovery offers detoxification services, specifically for those experiencing dependency on cocaine. With therapeutic interventions and evidence-based treatment, Guardian Recovery is dedicated to helping you, or a loved one, end their addiction to substances. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options and to begin your road to recovery.
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Does Cocaine Have An Identifying Smell?
Pure cocaine is odorless, though some may report it having a mild, flowery-like smell, similar to that of coca leaves. It is unlikely that you or anyone you know is coming across pure cocaine, as many dealers cut cocaine with different chemicals and agents. This contributes to one brick of cocaine smelling vastly different from another.
Substances that cocaine can be cut with include:
- Boric acid
- Caffeine
- Creatine
- Laundry detergent
- Fentanyl
- Heroine
- LSD
- Marijuana
- PCP
The Smell of Coca Leaves
Cocaine is derived from coca leaves in the countries of Bolivia, Columbia, and Peru. (3) Once the leaves are harvested, they are soaked in different chemicals and substances, such as gasoline. After being soaked multiple times, the leaves are then dried into the fine substance that we know as cocaine. Coca leaves emit a pleasant smell, that some may describe as sweet, light, and flowery.
Do the Different Forms of Cocaine Smell Different?
Different forms of cocaine can produce different smells. This is due to each form including the mixture of different ingredients and agents. How an individual chooses to ingest cocaine may have an impact on the way that it smells. The smell may vary depending on whether or not the substance is smoked as compared to snorted. Knowing how to identify cocaine based on its different smells can help aid you in identifying if you or a loved one are experiencing cocaine use disorder.
Powder Cocaine
Powdered cocaine, or cocaine hydrochloride, is the type of cocaine often seen in movies or throughout the media. (4) It resembles a white, off-white, or yellowish powder, depending on the other agents used to cut it. Powdered cocaine often smells similar to metallic or kerosene. Some individuals report that powdered cocaine smells similar to baking soda, anomia, gasoline, or sulfuric acid.
Liquid Cocaine
Liquid cocaine, often cocaine dissolved in water, has a smell similar to powdered cocaine. (5) Though similar in smell to powdered cocaine, the smell of liquid cocaine is often less intense. This is due to it being combined with water, as water dilutes the smell.
Freebase
Freebase cocaine is produced by removing the hydrochloride from that of powdered cocaine. Ammonia and ether are added in the production of freebase cocaine. Like crack cocaine, freebase cocaine can be smoked. Freebase cocaine can be dangerous to produce as ether is flammable. Freebase cocaine has a chemical like smell, and can also smell similar to burnt rubber.
Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine, a popular form of cocaine, often looks similar to off-white or pinkish rocks. It is made by heating up a combination of powdered cocaine, water, and baking soda. Crack cocaine itself smells like a mixture of chemicals. When smoked, crack cocaine resembles the smell of burnt plastic.
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The Smell of Cocaine When Mixed With Cutting Agents
Cocaine is often combined with a wide variety of cutting agents. A cutting agent is added to a batch of cocaine in order to increase the cost and life of the cocaine. Cutting agents can be chemicals or other addictive substances. The most common cutting agents used for cocaine include talcum powder, cornstarch, sugar, and baking soda. Mixing cocaine with other agents can make it smell very harsh and irritate the nose. Agents mixed cocaine can smell similar to sulfuric acid, bleach, and other cleaning supplies.
Cocaine is often mixed with a substance known as fentanyl, in order to strengthen and increase their effects. Fentanyl is an odorless, synthetic opioid. (6) Fentanyl is highly addictive and dangerous. Mixing cocaine with fentanyl can increase your chances of experiencing a cocaine overdose. In 2020, 19,447 individuals died due to them experiencing a cocaine overdose. (7)
Signs and symptoms of a cocaine overdose include: (8)
- Extreme anxiety.
- Feelings of anxiety.
- Elevated heart rate.
- Hallucinations.
- High blood pressure.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Stroke.
- Seizures.
Experiencing a cocaine overdose can be fatal. It is important to seek immediate, emergency medical care if you suspect that you or a loved one are experiencing a cocaine overdose.
Cocaine addiction, or cocaine use disorder may be difficult to identify. Understanding the signs and symptoms of cocaine use disorder can bring awareness to available treatment options.
Signs and symptoms associated with cocaine use disorder include:
- Inability to stop or limit cocaine use.
- Craving cocaine.
- Engaging in risky and dangerous activities since beginning cocaine use.
- Needing an increased amount of cocaine in order to reach the desired high.
- Going out of your way to seek or get cocaine.
- Losing interest in past enjoyable hobbies, skills, and recreational activities.
- Engaging in social isolation.
- Chronic runny or bloody nose, specifically from powdered cocaine dependency.
- Continuing cocaine use despite occupational and/or relational impairment, or impairments in other important areas of functioning.
- Experiencing psychological and physical withdrawal.
Cocaine withdrawal occurs when cocaine use is stopped suddenly, completely, or cocaine use is cut back. Withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable, and medication assisted treatment may be employed to help decrease the negative symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include:
- Agitation or aggressiveness.
- Restlessness.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Insomnia.
- Nightmares.
- Experiencing intense cravings.
- Increased appetite.
Depression and/or anxiety.
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Cocaine is extremely addictive. With approximately 5.2 million individuals reporting engaging in cocaine use in the year of 2020, available treatment options are necessary (9). Guardian Recovery offers psychoeducation and life skills classes to aid in the maintenance and continuation of sobriety. Guardian Recovery can provide you with a free, no obligation insurance benefit check can be offered upon your request. Contact us today to speak with a Treatment Advisor and to get started with your recovery journey. You are not alone. Millions of individuals experiencing some form of substance use. Treatment is possible with the help of Guardian Recovery.
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-scope-cocaine-use-in-united-states
- https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/recreational-drugs-and-intoxicants/cocaine
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-cocaine
- https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs3/3951/index.htm
- https://insightcrime.org/news/liquid-cocaine-rising-trend-colombia-traffickers/
- https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-scope-cocaine-use-in-united-states
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430976/
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-scope-cocaine-use-in-united-states