Recognizing Cocaine Paraphernalia and Its Components

Using Cocaine

Cocaine paraphernalia varies depending on how one uses the drug. In it's powder form, cocaine can be snorted, or shot into the veins. However, if someone chooses to smoke crack, which is a cooked up version of cocaine, their paraphernalia can be made out of many different objects. The only form of cocaine use which does not call for any special kind of paraphernalia is when the drug is used to lace cigarettes or marijuana. When used in this way, the cocaine is simply sprinkled on the tobacco or marijuana and rolled up as normal.

Cocaine Paraphernalia for snorters

Snorting cocaine has loss its popularity, although many individuals still do on what they consider to be a "social" basis. When snorting cocaine, the user will usually have a mirror, or some hard object to lay it down on. Upon separating the drug into lines, they will snort it into their nostrils with a straw, or some other tool which will work to inhale the drug from the lines drawn. Snorting cocaine takes the drug through the mucous membrane, giving the individual a high which consists of hallucinating or some sort of fixed sensation. After prolonged use, cocaine can cause damage to the nose, making it difficult for the user to smell sufficiently.

Intravenous Use Paraphernalia

Many drugs can be shot directly into the veins, to provide an instant high. By taking the drug straight to the bloodstream, the user can feel the effects of the drug much faster than those who snort or smoke it. The high is much more intense as well. Cocaine paraphernalia which is used when shooting up is the same as with any other drug, users stick themselves with hypodermic needles which are normally reserved for medical use. This method of using cocaine is known as intravenous use of the drug. It can be particularly dangerous because the person getting high has no solid proof of how potent the drug is. Although the cocaine is heated and melted with a sprinkle or two of water, it hardly dilutes its effect. The only way an addict can be sure of what they are getting, is by using the drug- which has proven to be a bit too late for some addicts. Using hypodermic needles to shoot cocaine can lead to HIV, hepatitis, stroke, heart attack, and many other fatal ailments. While this way of using the drug provides a quicker, more potent high- it also poses many risks.

Smoking Crack Cocaine

Crack has swept the nation over the past twenty plus years. This way of cooking up cocaine using baking soda, and other chemicals has become quite popular in low economic neighborhoods. This is not to say that the higher class does not smoke crack, however many consider it to be cocaine in its lowest form. The very same individuals who consider snorting cocaine with their nail or a straw, will say that crack users are addicts or "hypes". They however, do not consider themselves either by simply snorting the drug. When cocaine users smoke crack, the paraphernalia used is normally some kind of tube or pipe. This object will mimic a straw, being open on both ends- but must be able to endure high temperatures. It is normally packed with a substance to use as a filter, and lit in order to achieve the desired high.

Getting Help

Cocaine paraphernalia is used to intensify the high of the drug. Depending on what form is used, the paraphernalia will differ. Regardless of the tools used to get high from cocaine, the drug is a very dangerous one. It imposes mental problems on those who use it for a prolonged period of time, even leading to strokes or heart attacks for first time users. Getting help for cocaine use is important, as its use will only lead to a downward spiral. A person never achieves the high they got from their initial use, no matter how much they chase it. Cocaine addicts can go on for years chasing the dream of getting the sudden sensation received the very first time. For most, this is a dream which will never come. If you or someone you love uses cocaine, get rid of the paraphernalia now, and find professional help. No matter what form of cocaine is being used- it could lead to an untimely death.