The 5 types of cocaine (and differences in addiction)

April 20, 2024

Cocaine is one of the best known drugs, and the hard drug most consumed in many countries.

According to the ranking of drug consumption in Spain, which uses data from the seizures of the National Police, the Civil Guard and the Department of Customs and Special Taxes, about 2.2% of Spaniards are familiar with this substance . The Comunitat Valenciana, the Canary Islands and Galicia are the regions with more kilos seized of this drug.

The most common form of cocaine use is cocaine hydrochloride, which is known as coca powder, that is, "coca stripes". But nevertheless, there are other forms of consumption that produce different effects and different types of cocaine and addiction , it is not the same to snort stripes than to smoke crack.

Cocaine: a highly addictive drug

Cocaine is a very addictive drug and can be very dangerous . In the West, coca powder is the presentation format of this most consumed substance, although there are other ways to ingest it. This makes the profile of the drug addict of this drug heterogeneous.

In Europe, the cocaine consumer is usually associated with someone with a medium-high socioeconomic status, as it is a substance that can be expensive. But this is not always the case, because there are other forms of addiction to this substance that are cheaper.

In other words, they are consumed by people belonging to more disadvantaged social groups. Crack, for example, can be devastating for the consumer , which may end up isolated in marginal neighborhoods. The myth that it is possible for cocaine addicts to live a normal and lively life in upper-middle class neighborhoods can be restricted only to those who consume cooking hydrochloride.

Related article: "Types of drugs: know their characteristics and effects"

Consequences of cocaine use

As you see, cocaine can be mistakenly considered as the drug of the upper class, and has even been called the caviar of drugs. In powder form it can circulate on Wall Street and even on the fashion runways, where some models have come to light to claim they are or have been addicted to the substance. But although cocaine may be surrounded by glamor, the reality is that this drug hits hard on the health of those addicted , because it has negative effects on the heart and the brain.

In addition, when someone becomes addicted to the substance has serious difficulties to leave it, since it becomes prisoner of this drug both mentally and physically.

Types of cocaine and addiction

Not all forms of cocaine use produce the same effects for the body nor are they equally addictive. This substance is made in three ways: powder, paste (basuco) and base (crack).

But, What are the types of cocaine and what are the characteristics of these three types of addiction?

1. Cocaine powder or cocaine stripes

The coca can be consumed in the form of stripes, is what is known as cocaine hydrochloride, but also called powder or snow. Cocaine streaks (or clecas) are highly addictive psychoactive substances, but less so than other types of cocaine. This powder, which is usually snorted, can have different shades. For example, the so-called "Yen" is purer (it is 98% close) and whiter, more flaky and brighter .

However, there are other types of powder cocaine with less purity, in which its presentation is more dusty and less bright. This happens because a number of chemical substances that can be highly toxic are added for commercialization. The less substances incorporated purer is coca and is considered of higher quality.

That's why you have to exercise extreme caution when someone buys coca in the street, because they do not really know what they are buying. The line of coca leads, in many occasions, between 5% and 40% of this substance, according to the newspaper Diario de Galicia. Cocaine hydrochloride usually reaches Spain with 80% purity, however, here it is "cut" to obtain greater economic gain.

The cut is produced with different substances, some of them very dangerous . Among these substances it is possible to find: amphetamines, chalk, almax (powders for stomach pain), detergent, speed, talcum powder or analgesics.

You can learn more about coca lines in our article: "Cocaine Stripes: Components, Effects and Hazards"

2. Chinese cigarette

Another way to consume coca is to smoke it . Although there are other forms of smoking that do not have to be in their cocaine hydrochloride format, many consumers smoke it directly from the coca line.These individuals usually moisten a cigarette so that they can later spread the coca line on the outside of it.

The effect is much smaller than that of the cocaine line, which is why it is usually combined with the snorted dose. That is, when a consumer sniffs it, they usually smoke the remaining part of the line or streaks (if they consume it with other people). The cigarette with cocaine hydrochloride is called "Chinese".

3. Injected cocaine hydrochloride

Cocaine hydrochloride can also be injected once it has been diluted in water. This is one of the most addictive forms of cocaine because the drug is transported directly to the blood thus increasing the intensity of its effect. It is the most dangerous way to consume it, with an immediate effect but of short duration. The consumer needs to inject more in a short time, and it is easier to spend with the dose .

4. Basuco or coca paste

The basuco (also bazuco, paco or coca paste) is an intermediate product in the manufacture of cocaine hydrochloride. It is also known as cocaine sulfate because it contains approximately 50% of this compound.

Coca paste is the result of a process that includes highly toxic and poisonous products such as sulfuric acid, methanol or kerosene. As it happens with the injected coca, it is very addictive and causes a physical and psychological deterioration . It is usually mixed with tobacco or marijuana to be smoked, and it is cheaper because the cost of producing it is much lower when it is made with cocaine residues.

5. Crack or cocaine on base

The crack or cocaine base is the result that is obtained from incorporating cocaine hydrochloride chemical elements such as ether, ammonia and baking soda. It is known as the cocaine of the poor because it is up to 15 times cheaper than the hydrochloride .

After being smoked, the crack reaches the brain in a few seconds and its effects are stronger and more destructive than coca paste. It is also more addictive and the risk of death from its use is higher than other types of cocaine such as basuco. It is usually smoked in a pipe.

Pink cocaine: a drug consumed by the upper class

Nowadays, a psychoactive substance has become very fashionable among the upper class . It is what is known as pink cocaine, pink powder or 2CB, and it is a synthetic drug with psychedelic and hallucinogenic effects, which alter all the senses and change the perception of the world. Its consumption produces very harmful effects for the person who takes it.