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Injecting Cocaine
The
danger, as with injecting other substances is that you don't know what
you're injecting (anything could be added to it), unclean needles
leaves you open to the risk of bacterial infections leading to
abscesses. Remembering that Cocaine is a 'local anaesthetic' once one
injection has been made, that site can become numb and users will be
unlikely to hit the vein, and there's a danger of missing and digging
about injecting under the skin in error or hitting an artery. There is also a very real risk of
septicaemia not only due to the bacteria but also that it is
recognised that cocaine and
crack
both suppress the immune system and
thus the body cannot fight off germs and disease as effectively as it would
normally. Cocaine can be very compulsive and that coupled with
injecting may lead to chaotic use and sharing of needles.
SPEEDBALL
Whilst mixing heroin
with crack or cocaine to inject ( called a Speedball) is
becoming more common, in some instances it may be the main drug of
choice. Speedballing has its problems too - as with mixing any
other chemicals you will get a reaction.
-
Mixing Heroin and
Cocaine /Crack is believed to increase the reinforcement capacity of
cocaine. i.e you get addicted more quickly
-
Heroin is a
depressant and therefore lowers your breathing rate. In high doses, so
can cocaine leading to the increased risk of overdose.
-
The affects of
cocaine can lead some people to forget how much heroin they have
already used which increases the likelihood of overdose.
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Two drugs = increased
contaminants in the body which increased the risks.
We have specific
information on Speedballing, if you would like a copy,
EMAIL us and put SPEEDBALLING
in the Subject box.
MIXING COCAINE
& ALCOHOL
Some people use cocaine only when
they've been out drinking, some people drink alcohol when they've been
using cocaine. Whichever way round, mixing the two is not advisable.
Cocaine and alcohol mixed in the body form another drug called
COCAETHYLENE. The action of your liver breaking the two substances
down produces the new chemical which unfortunately is more toxic to
your liver and exerts more of a strain on your heart than cocaine or
alcohol on their own. The studies available all tell different stories
as to the psychological effects of cocaethylene. Some say it makes the
high last longer other say it makes users feel awful and others say no
effect at all but as most users don't know that chemical reaction is
taking place anyway it would be difficult for us to say either way.
But as we know, everyone's experience of a drug effect depends on a
number of factors so we can't say either way just yet.
REQUEST COCAETHYLENE
INFO LEAFLET
See new
website Drinking With Charlie
HIV
/ Hepatitis B & C Risks?
YES. The usual risks
apply for injecting cocaine as injecting anything else. You can get
clean needles from pharmacies in the needle exchange.
EMAIL
for a list here. Also bear in mind, that snorting may make
your nose bleed and these infections can be passed
through blood when sharing tubes or banknotes – so don’t
share.
Overdose
risk?
Yes. As discussed,
excessive doses can cause respiratory failure or heart failure but
this is rare though risks increase with the addiction of other
drugs (including alcohol & prescribed medications).
SYMPTOMS
OF A COCAINE OVERDOSE CAN INCLUDE
-
Seizure
/ Fitting
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High
Temperature
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Dry
Cracking Skin
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Delirium
Seizures from a cocaine overdose can resemble a Grand Mal fit seen in
epileptics. If someone has a cocaine seizure they will drop to the
floor, lose consciousness and start to shake uncontrollably. Give them
room, move things they could bang into and try and protect their head.
When the fit stops, put them in the recovery position and CALL
THE AMBULANCE STRAIGHT AWAY.
A MINOR SEIZURE is when someone is still conscious but often staring
into space, with strange twitching movements - in this case talk and
reassure. If in doubt get medical help.
Because of the high probability of repeated seizures following the
first cocaine induced seizure, anyone who suffers one is advised to
see their doctor as soon as possible. There is also the issue of
'kindling' where the body does not become more tolerant to seizures
but becomes more sensitive so the next one may be fatal - see a
doctor!
MIXING WITH OTHER DRUGS
Mixing Drugs isn't a good idea. It makes the effects unpredictable and
the risks harder to define. Below is what COULD happen if you mix your
own drug cocktail:
Cocaine &
Heroin
- Known as a 'speedball'. Taken together the drugs double the strength
of each other. Cocaine speeds up your heart but as that wears off the
heroin kicks in and slows it down again. The result is your heart
doesn't know what to do and can lose it's rhythm entirely.
Cocaine &
Tranquillisers such as Valium and Temazepam
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Similar problem to that above. Remember that Cocaine is a stimulant
and speeds up the heart - tranquilisers are depressants and they will
slow it and your body systems down. Taking both at the same time
increases the risk of OVERDOSE.
Cocaine &
Ecstasy
- Ecstasy is another STIMULANT. It therefore increases the strain on
your body when added to cocaine.
Need Help or
Advice / Treatment?
If you are finding your
own
or someone else's cocaine use getting out of control, there are things
we can do to help both for the user and family / friends. There is no
magic bullet for drug addiction - and cocaine is psychologically
addictive. However, there are people out there who can help on the
Island, including ourselves. If you don't know what to do or where to
go, call us on 615622 in confidence to discuss what options would be best for
you.
REQUEST MORE INFORMATION ON COCAINE OR CRACK
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