Cocaine can affect people differently, and its effects are difficult to predict – especially for first-time users. It may also be mixed with other substances, meaning you can never be certain about what you are taking, its strength or purity, or whether it contains additional drugs that carry further risks.
If you choose to use cocaine, it’s important to stay aware of the potential dangers and follow harm-reduction guidance to help reduce the risk of serious health harms.
An anonymous and confidential drug-checking service is available via the Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances (WEDINOS) programme.
Harm reduction guidance
- Never drive or operate machinery under the influence of cocaine. Doing so can lead to serious injury or death. You could lose your licence, your life, or someone else’s.
- Cocaine can speed up your heart rate, cause an irregular heartbeat, and increase your blood pressure. This can worsen any known and unknown pre-existing heart conditions. You could experience panic attacks, a heart attack, or a stroke.
- Know your limits: Set personal boundaries around cocaine use. Going beyond your financial, physical, or mental limits increases the risks and harms associated with cocaine.
- When cocaine is taken nasally/snorted, it can irritate and damage the nasal (nose) passages. The risk of harm increases when the substance contains rough or abrasive particles. Being aware of this can help you reduce irritation and protect your nasal health.
- Avoid preparing substances on dirty or contaminated surfaces. Items such as keys, mobile phones, or toilet areas are often unhygienic and can increase the risk of infections. Choosing a clean, sanitary surface can help reduce these risks.
- Rinsing your nasal (nose) passages during and after cocaine use can help reduce irritation and lower the risk of damage to the nasal passages and septum. A gentle moisturiser, such as Vitamin E cream, can also help soothe and hydrate irritated nasal tissues.
- Avoid sharing drug-taking equipment, such as banknotes or tubes, as this can transmit blood-borne viruses (BBVs) such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. If you think you may have been exposed by sharing any drug-taking equipment, it’s important to get tested. BBV tests can be requested via your GP, local sexual health services, or local drug treatment services. You can also order a free home Hepatitis C test kit online from the NHS.
- Avoid mixing substances. Combining cocaine with other drugs - including prescription medications or alcohol - increases the risk of harm, adverse effects, overdose, and accidental death.
- Know the signs of a cocaine overdose. These can include panic, anxiety and/or paranoia; a high temperature; tremors; nausea or vomiting; a fast heart rate or chest pain (which may lead to heart attack); and unconsciousness or seizures (fits). If you suspect that you or someone else has overdosed on cocaine, seek medical help immediately by calling 999.
- Naloxone in emergencies: If naloxone is available, it can be used in an emergency to reverse the effects of opioid drugs such as morphine, heroin, fentanyl, and nitazenes. Illicit drugs may contain mixtures of substances including opioids, so naloxone can be lifesaving. It is safe to use on someone who has not taken opioids.
- Cocaine and alcohol used together create a third substance in the body called cocaethylene. This compound is more toxic than either substance alone and can place extra strain on the liver and heart. Cocaethylene also stays in the body for longer, which increases the risk of harm. For more information on mixing substances and their effects, visit Talk to Frank.
- Stay hydrated: Drink water or alcohol-free drinks to help prevent dehydration. Cocaine can increase thirst, and using alcohol alongside it further raises the risk of dehydration.
- Take regular breaks: Giving your body time to rest and recover can help reduce some of the physical and mental harms associated with cocaine use.
- Look out for each other: Stay with trusted friends who can monitor your wellbeing and support you if an emergency arises.
- Seek help if you are worried about your own or someone else's cocaine use. Support is available from Achieve or your local drug treatment provider.
Other support available
Cocaine Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances.
If you need help call 0800 612 0225 (available 10am to 10pm, 7 days a week).
Breaking Free Online
Breaking Free Online is a digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme. The video below provides more information about the programme.
Contact Achieve or your local drug treatment service for more information on how to access the Breaking Free Online programme. You will be provided with an access code.
If you need help/support with alcohol use
Resources for wellbeing and recovery
You can find more information and recovery support resources on the Achieve Recovery Services webpage under the ‘Helpful Resources’ section.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) welcomes everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, income, religion, or race. Anyone with a desire to stop drinking - one day at a time - is welcome. AA meetings are free to attend. You can simply listen, or you can talk and share if you choose; it’s completely up to you.
If you need help with a drinking problem, you can call the AA national help line on 0800 917 7650 or email help@aamail.org
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust