Crack and coke are both derived from the coca plant, and can generally be distinguished simply by form and the manner in which they are used. The high between crack and coke come differently as well. Below are the details and differences behind the crack and coke high.
Crack cocaine is made when powdered cocaine is mixed with water and another substance, such as baking soda. The combination is boiled until a solid is formed, which is then cooled and broken to pieces. These pieces are what are known as crack. Crack is very concentrated and can be severely addictive. The drug is commonly used by smoking it. Injecting or smoking cocaine usually makes it take effect faster. Thus, the high from crack is more intense albeit shorter as it tends to fade away more quickly.
On the other hand, coke is the powdered form of cocaine. Coke generally comes in a white powder form and is typically snorted. When snorted, cocaine takes longer to take effect but the resulting high tends to last longer.
Crack |
Coke |
|
|---|---|---|
| Source | Coca plant | Coca plant |
| Form | Solid form, like small rocks | White powder |
| General consumption methods | Smoking, Injecting | Snorting, Injecting |
| Onset of effect | Instant effects when smoking; 15-30 seconds injecting | 3-5 minutes snorting; 15-30 seconds injecting |
| Duration of effect | 5-10 minutes smoking, 20-60 minutes injecting | 15-30 minutes snorting, 20-60 minutes injecting |
| Impact of high (smoking/snorting) | Intense but short | Gradual but longer lasting |
| Physical effects | Dilated pupils, euphoria, alertness, increase in heart rate, decrease in appetite, intense cravings | Dilated pupils, euphoria, alertness, increase in heart rate, decrease in appetite, intense cravings |
| Potential withdrawal symptoms | Agitation, anxiety, depression, nausea, muscle pain, extreme fatigue | Agitation, anxiety, depression, nausea, muscle pain, extreme fatigue |
Venn Diagram
