What Does Cocaine Smell Like? A Quick Guide on Recognizing Cocaine by Smell

Cocaine is said to be one of the oldest and most dangerous naturally occurring stimulant drugs in the world.

The coca plant has been cultivated for a long time in the region of South America. A few researchers have explained that coca cultivation originated from the Amazon Rainforest but spread across the Andes Mountains. The plant generates stimulating effects like mild stimulants and temporarily suppresses fatigue, hunger, and thirst. The sudden increase in energy made coca an attractive and valuable plant for the indigenous people.

As a result, the native South American people used to chew coca leaves for many centuries. They were even part of religious and cultural ceremonies. The Catholic Church and bishops urged prohibiting coal usage, but nothing much emerged. Finally, the Peruvian government laid out a few restrictions on cultivation, but its use continued to rise. 

What Does Cocaine Smell Like: A Short History of Cocaine

It was finally during the 19th century when scientists and doctors started noticing the medicinal use of cocaine. German chemist Friedrich Gaedcke is said to be the first one to isolate cocaine alkaloids. The purification process was further improved in 1859 when Albert Nieman began isolating cocaine from coca leaves. Finally, Austrian ophthalmologist Karl Koller actually used cocaine as an anesthetic while performing cataract surgery.

Cataract surgeries did not involve anesthesia then; thus, this was a big step. Unfortunately, the popularity of cocaine as a surgical anesthetic did not remain for a long time because the number of cocaine overdoses increased exponentially.

Did you know that Coca-Cola used to have cocaine in it? Coca-Cola was founded in 1886 by an American pharmacist named John Stith Pemberton. It used to be a mixture of sugary concoction and cocaine. It became an instant hit among the middle-class white population of America. But as soon as the beverage began selling in bottle form, it became accessible to the lower income class. Coca-Cola finally removed cocaine as its ingredient due to political climate and health concerns. 

What Does Cocaine Smell Like: Cocaine in the Modern Age

Today, cocaine has become a substance that is highly misused and abused by people worldwide. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that about 4.8 million people have abused cocaine in 2021 in the United States of America. In addition, as many as 1.4 million people are diagnosed with cocaine addiction or cocaine use disorder. In a single year, around 24,486 lives were taken because of overdosing on cocaine.

These statistics indicate that cocaine has become a serious cause of concern.

What Does Cocaine Smell Like: What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a potent central nervous stimulant that produces euphoric effects. It is obtained from the coca plants and is primarily used for the recreational purposes of getting high. Cocaine is a powerful drug that can alter brain functions and structure.

What Does Cocaine Smell Like: What Does Cocaine Feel Like?

Most people describe the feeling of cocaine as an instant rush and temporary euphoria. It generates the desired effect of excitement and exhilaration, leading to addiction cases. The feeling only lasts for a few minutes, which is why people like to take more and more hits for the rewarding effect.

There are some short-term physiological effects associated with cocaine use. These effects include dilated pupils, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, constricted blood vessels, and more. In addition, there are some behavioral changes after the continued use of cocaine. It can lead to the development of aggressive tendencies with sudden feelings of violence and impulsiveness.

The users can also go through the uncomfortable feeling of restlessness, anxiety, paranoia, irritability, and panic. 

What Does Cocaine Smell Like: What Does Cocaine Look Like?

There is a wide variety regarding the types and appearances of cocaine. Cocaine is available in several forms; some of the most common ones are mentioned below.

Powdered Cocaine

Cocaine hydrochloride, or powdered cocaine, is the most popular type. This is the type that is generally portrayed in the visual media. It has a white, off-white, slightly yellow color to it. 

Liquid Cocaine

Liquid cocaine is powdered cocaine dissolved in water. 

Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine has a small rock-like formation. They are off-white or pink, combining water, powdered cocaine, and baking soda. 

Freebase Cocaine

Freebase cocaine will be made when the powdered cocaine is removed from the hydrochloride. Instead, substances like ammonia are added to make it. Ether is highly flammable and can lead to fatal consequences. 

What Does Cocaine Smell Like? 

The reports regarding the smell of cocaine are quite conflicting. It is generally said that the pure form of cocaine is simply odorless. However, some people have claimed to detect the smell of coca leaves, giving it a flowery smell.

It is very rare to find pure cocaine because it is always available after being cut by some chemicals and agents. This is the reason why one cocaine brick can smell different from another. A few substances through which cocaine is cut are:

• Caffeine

• Boric acid

• Anesthetics such as procaine

• Laxatives

• Detergent

• Fentanyl

What Does Cocaine Smell Like: Why Cocaine Has Different Smells

All forms of cocaine can smell different from one another. This is due to the various adulterants, cutting agents, and other chemicals used when cocaine is processed. Cocaine can also have a different smell depending on how it’s used.

For instance, cocaine snorted will smell different from smoked cocaine.

Let's talk about each of them in detail. 

Powder Cocaine

There are multiple reports of the smell of powdered cocaine. Some say it is similar to kerosene with a metallic tinge, while others claim it is like sulfuric acid, anomia, gasoline, or even baking soda.  

Liquid Cocaine

The smell of liquid cocaine is similar to the above one. There is a small difference in the intensity as water helps dilute the smell.  

Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine is unlike others. It smells like various chemicals and burnt plastic in particular. 

Freebase Cocaine

Freebase cocaine is rare nowadays – it’s largely been replaced by crack – but it’s said to smell like burnt rubber. 

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?

The half-life of cocaine is about one hour. This means it will take an hour to remove half the amount of cocaine you have ingested. Different drug tests can detect cocaine as well:

Blood Test for Cocaine

Cocaine can be detected in the blood for up to two days.

Urine Test for Cocaine

Cocaine shows up in urine for up to three days after it was last used.

Hair Test for Cocaine

Hair tests can detect cocaine for up to three months.

Side Effects and Symptoms of Using Cocaine

Some common cocaine side effects include:

• Short-term effects are increased energy, euphoria, talkativeness, alertness, and more. 

• Long-term health complications may include strokes, coma, heart attack, seizure, irregular heartbeat, and more. 

• A few general symptoms of using cocaine are anxiety, nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, paranoia, tremors, violent behavior, increased blood temperature, and more. 

Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Millions of lives across the world have been affected by cocaine use. Hundreds of people lose their lives due to cocaine overdose every year. Cocaine addiction is a complex health condition that affects the physical and mental aspects of an individual's health and behavioral changes. Its dependency is most likely to impact the personal and professional life of the user.

Fortunately, cocaine addiction has various treatments available. There are a variety of recovery programs specifically designed for cocaine users. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that almost 6% of all the individuals in drug abuse treatment programs are cocaine users. They also indicated that most cocaine users are likely to abuse multiple substances.

Polydrug abuse further complicates the treatment because the rehabs must treat each addiction. Some patients struggle with co-occurring mental health disorders like depression and anxiety as well. Known as a dual diagnosis, this is a further complication for treatment for cocaine addiction. However, polydrug abuse and dual diagnosis are both treatable.

What Forms of Treatment Are There for Cocaine Addiction?

Let's talk about the treatment available for cocaine users in the country. 

Addiction Centers

An addiction center is the ideal choice for treating cocaine addiction. They’re staffed by experts in addiction treatment. Many people who work in the addiction field are graduates of drug treatment and have deep insights into how to help people struggling with drug addiction.

Medications

No Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications are available for cocaine use disorder. However, some clinical trials of medicines have proven to be effective. For instance, disulfiram is a medication used for treating alcohol addiction. This medicine has shown signs of reducing cocaine usage among some patients.

Behavioral Counseling

Various behavioral therapies help in managing cocaine addiction. Contingency management (CM) is a therapy where some incentive is treated as a motivator for staying sober. For example, movie tickets, discount coupons, sale passes, and more.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is another way to reduce the chances of relapse. They help in making the patient stay sober over a long period. It urges them to use their critical thinking and apply coping mechanisms whenever a situation arises.

Community-based recovery groups are also there to help them unwind about everything that has happened to them. In addition, it lets people connect with other individuals who have gone through similar circumstances. Some of these groups include 12-step facilities and Narcotics Anonymous. 

Alternative Treatment

Some alternative therapies can also treat cocaine dependence. These therapies include hypnosis, acupuncture, equine therapy, herbs, exercise, and more. 

Why Is Cocaine Addiction So Serious?

Drug addiction is now clinically defined as a chronic and relapsing disorder that the compulsive use of drugs can characterize despite knowing its negative consequences. It is vital to understand that no one wants to become a drug-dependent addict. Drug addiction often starts with curiosity and a sense of experimentation.

However, soon this experiment turns into substance abuse which eventually ends up as addiction. Most people have this sense of denial or ignorance about having things under control. They believe that they will not become an addict as they have control over their habits and body. Unfortunately, addiction does not work that way. Substance addiction is a medical condition in which our body physically and mentally becomes dependent on using drugs. No one controls a disorder. The only way to move past this is by seeking medical help.

There are dedicated drug recovery programs made for people suffering from this condition. Drug rehab centers have various effective sobriety plans that work systematically to break the chain of abuse.

Cocaine Addiction Is Treatable. The Forge Recovery Center Provides Evidence-Based, Effective Care for Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine can take over a person’s life very quickly. Extremely addictive and capable of causing great harm, cocaine addiction is a serious mental and physical problem. Fortunately, it also responds to treatment.

While it can feel great at first, eventually cocaine use catches up with everybody. Addiction robs people of the lives they deserve, destroying everything good in their lives. At The Forge Recovery Center, we provide expert, proven help for cocaine addiction. Our team will be your companions on your journey away from cocaine abuse. We’ll help you get your life back from cocaine.

Want to learn more about our effective cocaine addiction program? Reach out to The Forge Recovery Center today.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

October 9, 2023