The 9 Most Dangerous Side Effects of Cocaine

Cocaine Addiction: What Does It Look Like?

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug with one of the most incredible relapse rates among substance abuse disorders. The white powder is typically ingested by inhaling through the nostril, but heavy users may attempt to increase their high by injecting cocaine into a blood vessel or smoking a form called crack cocaine.

The short-term effects are felt almost immediately, with a peak occurring around the 30-minute mark. Results of the drug are reported to the last one to two hours, but long-term cocaine users describe a “come down” feeling soon after the peak is reached. A major reason the risk of abusing cocaine is so high is that the comedown users experience is so unpleasant that it urges them to take frequent doses to prolong the effects.