Cocaine is an extremely potent stimulant drug that typically comes in the form of a white powder that people inhale through their noses. Cocaine is highly addictive and can lead to an array of health complications, including life-threatening overdoses.
There is virtually no medicinal use for cocaine in the United States. While it can be prescribed as local anesthesia for certain surgeries, this is extremely rare. People who abuse cocaine are obtaining it on the street from drug dealers.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Dealers often dilute (or “cut”) it with non-psychoactive substances such as cornstarch, talcum powder, flour, or baking soda to increase their profits.”[1]
Some drug dealers also mix their cocaine with dangerously potent substances like fentanyl to cause their clients to become addicted to their product faster. Because fentanyl and cocaine are both fine white powders, the only way to be sure that you are not taking a drug laced with fentanyl is by using fentanyl testing strips before taking it.
What Does Cocaine Look Like?
Cocaine comes in powder form and is typically white, shiny, and fine in consistency. Because of its appearance, cocaine has several street names like “snow,” “white girl,” “blow,” “pearl,” and “blizzard.”
If cocaine is not pure, it may appear slightly off-white. This is a clear indication that there are additives or adulterants mixed in with your cocaine.
It is possible to receive cocaine in a wide range of colors, including yellow, pink, green, or blue depending on the additives used.
What Does Cocaine Smell Like?
Pure cocaine often has a sweet or flowery smell. However, most cocaine that you buy on the street is mixed with additives and cutting agents, as this allows drug dealers to stretch out their product and make more money. Some of the substances used as cutting agents in cocaine have distinct smells that are easy to identify.
Because of the frequent additives found in cocaine, it may smell like:
- Gasoline or diesel
- Kerosene
- Carbonate salt
- Sulfuric acid
- Ammonia
- Potassium permanganate
- Caustic soda
It is important to note that the way cocaine smells also depends on the method of administration. If you are snorting cocaine, it might smell like chemicals or metal. On the other hand, cocaine typically smells like burning plastic or rubber when it is smoked.
You should never trust that cocaine is safe based on how it smells, as dangerous adulterants like fentanyl are colorless, tasteless, and do not smell like anything.
What Does Cocaine Taste Like?
One of the easiest ways to identify cocaine is by taste. However, it is never recommended to taste your cocaine to identify it, as this could put you at risk of ingesting dangerous substances and additives. With that being said, cocaine is typically very bitter tasting.
While it is most common to snort or inject cocaine, many people know what it tastes like because they rub the substance on their gums to determine whether it’s pure. Pure cocaine is typically more bitter than adulterated cocaine. Other individuals rub cocaine on their gums because it causes their mouths to feel numb.
If you abuse cocaine and frequently rub it on your gums, it’s important to be aware of the dangers and health risks you are facing. One of the most common long-term effects of rubbing cocaine on your gums is the development of periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss, heart issues, respiratory problems, and ulcers.[2]
Factors that Affect How Cocaine Looks, Tastes, and Smells
It is extremely rare to find pure cocaine on the street, as most of it contains additives and adulterants. Drug dealers mix their cocaine with a variety of substances to increase their profits and cause their clients to become addicted to their drugs faster. Keeping this in mind, the additives often found in cocaine can affect how the drug looks, tastes, and smells.
The following substances are commonly mixed with cocaine before it is sold on the street:
- Cornstarch
- Sugars
- Flour
- Baby powder
- Caffeine
- Quinine
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Epsom salts
- Talcum powder
- Lactose
- Thiamine
- Vitamin B
While these additives are generally non-life-threatening, other dangerous substances like fentanyl might be mixed in with your cocaine.
Finding Help for Cocaine Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one are addicted to cocaine, help is available. Long-term cocaine abuse can significantly impact your life and lead to life-threatening overdoses. With the recent rise in cocaine laced with fentanyl, getting sober is more important than ever.
At Arise Treatment Center, we can provide you or your loved one with all of the tools you need to achieve lifelong sobriety. To learn more about our cocaine abuse and addiction rehab center, contact us today.
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