Because of the euphoric high, extreme focus, and confidence boost they give users, cocaine and crack are highly addictive and hazardous street drugs. Despite this, many manufacturers and dealers will often add cutting agents for cocaine and crack to the batches of drugs they make and sell, many of these so toxic that they’ve caused poisoning and death among users. Others become cocaine abusers, and many seek addiction treatment at cocaine rehab centers. To learn more about these dangerous cutting agents for crack and cocaine, contact BlueCrest Recovery at 888.292.9652.
Why Are Cutting Agents Used?
There are many reasons that cocaine and crack dealers use cutting agents. Dealers who have just started to sell a product might use a cutting agent to intensify the high so that customers will buy from them. Once hooked, the dealers use less powerful cutting agents so that customers get less of a high dose than before, causing them to buy more from the dealers to get the same high.
Cutting agents are also used when fewer drugs are available from suppliers due to interception and seizure at border crossings or when a significant bust has occurred. This allows dealers to keep selling until their supplies are restored. The process of cutting drugs also allows dealers to increase their profits.
What Are Common Cutting Agents for Cocaine and Crack?
There are two types of cutting agents to watch out for in illicit drugs—those that increase the potency and those that increase the bulk of the products.
Common Stimulant-Cutting Agents
When a dealer wants to increase the intensity of the drugs they’re selling, stimulant-cutting agents will be used. These stimulants are typically inexpensive and readily accessible. They are usually the same color and texture as cocaine. Stimulant cutting agents can include:
- Caffeine
- Aspirin
- Benzocaine and Lidocaine
- Amphetamine
Other street drugs like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana, and heroin can also be used as stimulant-cutting agents.
Common Dilutant Cutting Agents
When dealers want to add bulk to the cocaine they’re selling to sell less of the drug for more money, they’ll often use the following agents. Also known as visual dilutants, these have the same appearance and texture as cocaine:
- Laundry detergent
- Boric acid
- Meat tenderizer
- Laxatives
- Levamisole—a cattle dewormer
Using cocaine cut with any substance can be dangerous, even if a cutting agent seems safe. Items like laundry detergent contain several chemicals and are not meant for ingestion. Even agents that can be ingested, such as caffeine and meat tenderizer, can burn the mucous membranes in the nose and can have a different effect on the body and brain when they are inhaled than when consumed orally.
Cocaine Overdose and Addiction Treatment Options
Overdosing on cocaine and crack is not only possible but also dangerous, as the cutting agents used can be toxic. When someone overdoses on cocaine or crack, they may experience seizures, heart attacks, strokes, and even internal bleeding. In severe cases, death can occur.
If a loved one is overdosing, it is imperative to do the following:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Begin chest compressions if the person has stopped breathing or their pulse is weak or absent.
- Administer naloxone, an opioid blocker, as soon as possible to help reverse overdose effects.
- Stay with the person until paramedics arrive and provide any necessary information.
If someone is struggling with an addiction to cocaine or crack, one of the best treatments available is rehab. These programs often provide medical and psychological treatment, including group and individual therapy and life skills education. Treatment may also include nutrition counseling and exercise plans to help individuals make healthy choices for their long-term well-being.
Find Cocaine Addiction Treatment in New Jersey at BlueCrest Recovery
Even without cutting agents, cocaine can be addictive or fatal, even in small amounts. If someone you love or you are struggling with cocaine addiction, BlueCrest Recovery Center’s cocaine outpatient program can help. Ask about our cocaine rehab center in New Jersey by calling 888.292.9652 today.
