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Dangers of Snorting and Smoking Cocaine

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 7 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 7 minutes

Understand the risks of smoking and snorting cocaine, including rapid addiction and overdose dangers.

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Cocaine is a highly addictive narcotic that may be smoked, snorted, or injected. Therefore, the rate at which it enters the circulatory system and its impact on various physiological systems might change depending on how it is administered into the body.

Cocaine’s addictive properties stem from how it interacts with the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, which associate the drug with a pleasant feeling. Cocaine binds to specific locations in the brain, including dopamine synapses. The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a crucial role in facilitating positive emotions.

According to research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the effects of cocaine on the body vary depending on how it is taken. Therefore, users of cocaine should be knowledgeable about the outcomes of their addiction and the consequences of various routes of administration.

Different ways of cocaine administration may have their hazards and complications. Investigate the risks of both smoking and sniffing cocaine.

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More About Cocaine

Exploring Cocaine Use

Using Cocaine: Smoking vs. Snorting

Cocaine is one of the most potent stimulants because of the way it makes you feel when you smoke it. But on the other hand, this is one of the riskiest methods to utilize the substance.

Higher Rates of Drug Absorption

Cocaine smoked may be swiftly absorbed into the circulation via the lungs. Cocaine may rapidly enter the brain after crossing the pulmonary membrane. Since the effects of cocaine are felt more quickly when smoked than snorted, it follows that the method of smoking cocaine is much more addictive.

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The Potential for Fatal Overdose

The effects of crack cocaine consumption are short-lived, lasting around 5-10 minutes on average, as the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported. This implies that frequent crack use is expected so that users can sustain the drug’s powerful, euphoric effects. However, taking even one use of cocaine may quickly turn into an addiction for some.

However, the effects of snorting cocaine may last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, making it a more practical choice. Therefore, compared to snorting, crack cocaine users are more prone to binge use of the smoked form to stave off the negative consequences of withdrawal, such as weariness and sadness.

The danger of poisoning and overdose is elevated when users repeatedly engage in cycles of binge-smoking cocaine.

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Nasal Damage Risks

Dangers of Snorting Cocaine

For a long time, the most prevalent route of administration for cocaine was by nasal inhalation. The resulting high might last anywhere between 15 and 45 minutes.

To use cocaine, users often inhale lines or tiny bumps of powdered cocaine. Sniffing involves inhaling the item up one nostril at a time and then, typically, switching to the other nostril.

Snorting cocaine requires the drug to enter via the nasal passages, the heart, and the lungs, where it may be oxygenated. The substance then returns to the heart, is recirculated, and pumped to the remainder of the body, including the brain.

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Several complications are associated with the snorting technique of cocaine intake.

Smell Perception Impaired

Inhaling cocaine may cause long-term harm to the nasal nerves since the drug directly interacts with the blood vessels.

Coughing and Sneezing

It’s another downside associated with cocaine sniffing and the harm done to the nasal passages.

Problems Chewing and Swallowing

This is possible because the material touches the throat before being absorbed.

Nosebleeds

Snorting cocaine may potentially have a negative impact by damaging the nasal passages.

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Rapid and Intense High

Dangers of Smoking Cocaine

To make cocaine suitable for smoking, its powder form must be converted to cocaine sulfate. Crack cocaine refers to the smokable version of cocaine found in rock form. Baking soda and heat are applied to shape and create a smoking rock.

The effects of the substance on the brain are felt more immediately when smoked than when snorted. For example, when cocaine is smoked, instead of making its way via the blood arteries to the heart first, it is inhaled and travels straight to the lungs, where it may be oxygenated. This allows oxygenated blood to bypass the kidneys and proceed directly to the heart and brain.

Crack cocaine’s effects wear off rapidly, so users may want to consume more of the drug immediately if they’re going to remain high. The impact of smoking rock cocaine often wears off within 10 to 15 minutes. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for individuals to smoke large amounts of cocaine in a short period.

Cocaine users who smoke the drug report an even more potent high. The higher concentration increases the potency and adds to the drug’s addictive properties.

The adverse effects of cocaine use are not limited to those listed below:

  • Enhanced potential for infection.

  • Pneumonia.

  • Cough.

  • Respiratory distress.

Inhaling cocaine straight into the lungs causes harm to the respiratory system and the risk of these consequences.

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In Conclusion

Which Causes Higher Addiction Rates, Smoking or Snorting?

Increasing a drug’s distribution rate in the brain increases the likelihood that it will become addictive. When an addict takes a drug, their brain’s pleasure and reward regions light up, reinforcing them to keep using. The more rapidly this excitement occurs, the sooner addictive loops kick in and escalate the chances of addiction.

Cocaine, in its smokable form, is more potent than other versions. As a result, the likelihood of developing an addiction and the severity of existing habits increase with their presence.

Research published in Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology indicated that patients who snorted cocaine rather than smoked it benefited more from therapy. In addition, individuals who inhaled cocaine via sniffing had a better chance of staying sober and had a more favorable treatment outcome.

This fact alone disproves the idea that powdered cocaine is preferable to smoking.

Optimal therapeutic results were observed in certain assessment areas, but the same intensity of difficulties was encountered by these users across the board, according to the research.

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Written By:

Dr. Saman Aftab, Ph.D.

Dr. Saman Aftab, Mental Health write at Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Dr. Saman is a mental health writer with over six years of experience in freelance writing, editing, and proofreading. She is a practicing healthcare professional holding a doctorate in physical therapy at DOW University of Health Sciences. Dr. Saman started content writing to blend her passion for writing and medicine with her extensive clinical experience.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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