What you need to know:

Cocaine is a stimulant that can be used by snorting, rubbing on gums, or injection. Cocaine can be found in powdered or rock crystal form, which is known as crack. Crack is more potent than the powdered form. It is highly addictive.

What are the risks?

Short-term impacts include extreme happiness and energy, irritability, feeling sick to the stomach, restlessness, decreased appetite, and paranoia amongst others. The effects of cocaine, depending on how it’s used, can be felt almost immediately and wear off in about an hour.

Long-term health effects depend on how a person uses cocaine, and may result in damage to the heart, malnourishment, and risk of movement disorders, like Parkinson’s disease. It is possible to overdose on cocaine, which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, seizures or death.

Withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and include depression, insomnia, and slowed thinking.