Cocaine Information

Cocaine may show up in some social or nightlife spaces, even though most 小黄书 Boulder students do not use it (according to the National College Health Assessment). This page provides information to help you understand the risks, make informed choices and reduce harm if you come across it.听

About Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant drug. It increases dopamine in the brain, which can cause short鈥憈erm surges of energy, alertness and confidence.听

Cocaine is addictive, and its effects are brief鈥攐ften lasting 30 minutes or less. Because the effects fade quickly, people may feel tempted to use more, which increases health and overdose risks.听

Some people use cocaine because they believe it will:听

  • Help them feel more energized or focused听
  • Increase confidence or ease social situations听
  • Allow them to party for longer听
  • Enhance nightlife or party experiences听

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It鈥檚 important to know that these effects are temporary and come with real risks鈥攅specially when use escalates or substances are mixed.听

Health and Safety Risks

Cocaine use can affect both physical and mental health, including:听

  • Heart problems (such as irregular heartbeat or heart attack)听
  • Anxiety, paranoia or agitation听
  • Addiction (also called cocaine use disorder)听
  • Overdose听

Overdose risk is higher because cocaine is often mixed with other substances, sometimes without the person knowing. This includes fentanyl, which greatly increases the risk of accidental overdose and death.听

Because cocaine鈥檚 effects wear off quickly, people may experience:听

  • Extreme tiredness or 鈥渃rashing鈥听
  • Irritability or low mood听
  • Anxiety or restlessness听
  • Strong urges to use more听

This can lead to binge use, where repeated doses are taken close together to try to maintain the feeling. Binging significantly increases health risks and the likelihood of overdose.听

Ways to Reduce Risk and Stay Safer

If you or someone you know chooses to use cocaine, these strategies can help reduce potential harm.听

Please note: There is no way to completely eliminate risk. These strategies help reduce harm鈥攂ut do not make use safe.听

Be intentional about use

Think about the experience you want and what you want to avoid. Intention matters and can help guide safer decisions.听

Test for fentanyl

Cocaine can be contaminated with fentanyl without visible signs.听

  • Use fentanyl test strips when available听
  • Remember that testing reduces risk but does not eliminate it听
Carry naloxone

Even though cocaine is not an opioid, fentanyl contamination makes opioid overdose possible.听

  • Have naloxone nearby听
  • Use naloxone if an overdose is suspected听

Free naloxone is available at Health Promotion (Wardenburg Health Center, 3rd floor).听

Start small and go slow

You can always take more, but you can鈥檛 take less once it鈥檚 consumed.听

  • Start with a small amount听
  • Avoid repeated dosing close together听
Be with people you trust

Use in a safer environment with people you trust.听

  • Make sure someone can get help if something goes wrong听
  • Avoid using alone听
Don鈥檛 share snorting supplies

Sharing straws or other supplies can spread infections and disease. Use your own supplies only.听

Avoid mixing with alcohol or other drugs

Mixing substances makes effects less predictable and increases the risk of:听

  • Overdose听
  • Heart problems听
  • Blackouts or dangerous behaviors听
Support your body

Stimulants push your body into overdrive.听

  • Eat food听
  • Drink water听
  • Get sleep听

Taking care of your body helps reduce strain and risk.听

Recognizing an Overdose and Getting Help

Call 911 and administer naloxone if you or someone else experiences:听

  • Irregular heartbeat or chest pain听
  • Confusion听
  • Seizures or convulsions听
  • Hallucinations or delusions听
  • Passed out or unresponsive听
  • Shallow or slowed breathing听
  • Blue or gray lips or fingertips听

Naloxone will not harm someone who is not overdosing. When in doubt, use it.听

Good news: 小黄书鈥檚 Amnesty Policy and Colorado鈥檚 can protect you from disciplinary action or prosecution if you call for help and stay with the person.听

Find Support

Curious about your habits? You can get anonymous, online feedback about , or 鈥攏o meeting required.听听

If you're looking to explore your relationship with substances, get naloxone or connect with a recovery community, 小黄书 Boulder has resources that can help:听听听听

Free naloxone and fentanyl test strips: All students can pick up free supplies, including naloxone, fentanyl test strips and more at the Health Promotion office at Wardenburg (third floor).听听

Free substance use workshops: Students can reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances. Workshops are educational, and not therapy or treatment.听

Collegiate Recovery Community: Weekly support meetings, substance-free activities and connection for students considering, pursuing or in recovery from substances and other unwanted behaviors.听

Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS): Services related to substance use include assessments, brief individual therapy, support for concerned friends and family and referrals to recovery and other community resources.听

Don鈥檛 Ignore It: Learn about reporting, getting support and helping a friend. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Don鈥檛 ignore it.听