Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. Although health care providers can use it for valid medical purposes, such as local anesthesia for some surgeries, cocaine is an illegal drug. As a street drug, cocaine looks like a fine, white, crystal powder. Street dealers often mix it with things like cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour to increase profits. They may also mix it with other drugs such as the stimulant amphetamine. Learn about the health effects of cocaine and read the DrugFacts.
Common Names
Blow, Bump, C, Charlie, Coca, Coke, Flake, Rock, Snow, Toot
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Related Resources
- NIDA for Teens Drug Facts on Cocaine - Offers resources for teens and teen influencers. Get the latest on how drugs affect the brain and body. Features videos, games, blog posts, and more!
- Easy-to-Read Drug Facts on Cocaine (Coke, Crack) - Has pictures and videos to help readers understand the text. The website also can read each page out loud.
- NIH Director’s Blog on Cocaine
NIDA Therapy Manuals for Cocaine Addiction (Archives):
- Manual 1: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction
- Manual 2: A Community Reinforcement Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction
- Manual 3: An Individual Drug Counseling Approach to Treat Cocaine Addiction: The Collaborative Cocaine Treatment Study Model
- Manual 4: Drug Counseling for Cocaine Addiction: The Collaborative Cocaine Treatment Study Model
- Manual 5: Brief Strategic Family Therapy for Adolescent Drug Abuse
Other Resources
- MEDLINEplus Health Information on Drug Abuse (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
- Healthfinder.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies in human volunteers conducted to answer specific health questions. Learn about the NIH-sponsored clinical trials available to you.
- NIDA Clinical Trial Locator - answer a few simple questions and get contact information for Clinical Trials near you.