What’s the Difference Between Crack and Cocaine?

We’ve talked about how people often smoke crack cocaine or snort powder cocaine. The way these drugs are taken can really affect how they work in the body.

When crack is smoked, it produces a very intense high, but it does not last as long as sniffing cocaine. Smoking helps drugs to enter the circulation quicker. That rapid high may seem appealing, but it also comes with more risks.

Regular cocaine is far more expensive and commonly referred to as a “rich man’s drug.” This term stems from its popularity among wealthy Wall Street bankers and affluent individuals in the 1980s. It’s rather pricey, especially considering the high doesn’t stay long.

Crack, on the other hand, sprang to prominence in the 1980s as a cheaper alternative to cocaine. Because it was so inexpensive, it became popular primarily in low-income neighborhoods around the United States.

Cocaine is often measured in grams, and in the U.S., it usually costs between $60 and $200. This price can change depending on where you are and how good the drug is.

Different government agencies track cocaine use and its prices, and they have found some average costs. For instance, the Drug Enforcement Administration says the average price is about $160 per gram.

In 2017, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime reported an average price of $96 per gram. When you factor in inflation and purity, that is about $160 today. The 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment found the average price to be $200 per gram.

Prices can change for many reasons. These include how close buyers are to the drug supply, how well law enforcement is working, and how much people want the drug.

Cocaine and crack addiction is not just a money problem; it also has enormous social costs. It results in over $11 billion in healthcare costs.

The total costs from illegal drug use in the U.S. reach $193 billion. But these numbers don’t show the whole picture. We also need to think about the damage to relationships and the heartbreaking loss of lives because of cocaine use.

Cocaine is often combined with other things like talcum powder, baking soda, or even other drugs. This mixing helps dealers make more money.

Because of this, the purity of cocaine sold on the street can change a lot, which means users don’t know what they’re taking. It can be dangerous because you may consume harmful additives. It also increases the risk of becoming addicted to other drugs mixed with cocaine.

On the other hand, crack cocaine is a stronger form of cocaine. This makes it much more intense than regular cocaine. It’s often made in smaller amounts, so it’s less likely to be mixed with other substances. But this higher strength means that you might become more addicted to crack than to different types of cocaine.