Substance Use

Slang Names for Cocaine: List of Street Names for Coke

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Slang Names for Cocaine

Cocaine goes by many names on the street, including nose candy, gravel, sleet, speedball, toot, stardust, and belushi. The slang term used can denote the type of cocaine or a mixture of substances, like PCP or marijuana with cocaine. Knowing these street names may help you identify whether somebody close to you needs treatment for cocaine addiction.

If you think a friend or family member is possibly taking cocaine, learning the slang names that they might be using to talk about it can help you uncover drug use and get them the help they need.

If you or someone you love is addicted to cocaine, Zinnia Health can help. We offer personalized treatment services to help individuals work through the recovery process on their own timeline. Ready to learn more? Call our helpline at (855) 430-9439 and get answers to your questions.

What Are Slang Terms for Cocaine?

In white powder form, cocaine is often called:

  • Big bloke
  • Big C
  • C dust
  • Big flake
  • Big rush
  • Flake
  • Nose candy
  • Speedball
  • Toot
  • Stardust

What Are Slang Terms for Crack Cocaine?

In crystal form, crack cocaine is often called:

  • Rock
  • Black rock
  • Gravel
  • Nuggets
  • Sleet

Are There Other Street Names for Cocaine?

Before you can identify cocaine use, it’s important to understand what you’re dealing with.

Sometimes, cocaine is mixed or taken with other substances, and these combinations tend to get nicknames of their own, like:

  • Bazooka or Cocoa Puffs: Crack cocaine and marijuana
  • Belushi: Cocaine and heroin
  • Spaceball, Whack, or Scottie: Cocaine and PCP
  • Woolies: Crack cocaine in a gutted cigar
  • Candy Flipping: LSD, cocaine, and MDMA

Powder Cocaine vs. Crack Cocaine

People native to South America discovered centuries ago that chewing on the leaves of the coca plant or brewing them into tea helped them combat fatigue. When the Spaniards came along, the use of the coca plant spread.

In the mid-1900s, cocaine hydrochloride was finally extracted from the coca leaves, which is the pure chemical that’s responsible for the plant’s intoxicating qualities However, it wasn’t until the ’70s and ’80s that cocaine use exploded.

The popularity of cocaine soon led to the development of crack cocaine. Also known just as “crack,” crack cocaine is less pure and cheaper to produce, which is what led many drug dealers to market it to low-income individuals. 

To make crack cocaine, drug manufacturers take cocaine powder and cook it with baking soda, which causes it to crystallize. The crystals are then broken up into smaller pieces, often called “rocks” because of their appearance.

Both forms of cocaine are addicting, but because crack cocaine is slightly less pure,  it can come with a number of contaminants that make it more dangerous. Cocaine and crack cocaine are also consumed in different manners, which is one reason why they have different slang names.

Are you prepared to take the next step? Zinnia Health can help. Our team is standing by to answer your questions about cocaine addiction treatment and recovery. Just call our helpline at (855) 430-9439 for more information.

Identifying Cocaine Use

Knowing the common slang terms that people use to refer to cocaine and other drugs can help you identify drug use, especially if you have kids. However, there are other signs of substance use that you should keep your eye out for.

1. Changes in Behavior

Cocaine use and addiction can take a toll on a person’s mental health, leading to changes in personality and behavior that might seem completely unexpected. If you’re dealing with a teenager, you might dismiss these changes as side effects of puberty, but that’s not always the case.

Some of the changes in behavior that can be caused by drug addiction include:

  • Increased agitation, irritability, and mood swings
  • Insomnia, restlessness, or a strange sleeping pattern
  • Periods of hyperactivity and talkativeness
  • Less enthusiasm for school and hobbies
  • Withdrawing from certain social circles or finding their way into new ones
  • Engaging in more risky behavior
  • Not eating as much

2. Physical Effects of Cocaine

The physical effects of cocaine can begin showing themselves very quickly. If you happen to see someone right after they have used cocaine, it will be hard to deny their behavior. However, cocaine use also leads to longer-term changes in a person’s appearance, such as:

  • Looking tired
  • Losing weight
  • Dilated pupils
  • Runny nose
  • Frequent nosebleeds
  • Excess sweating
  • Seeming disconnected

3. Drug Paraphernalia

Even if you aren’t around a person very much, you may begin to suspect drug abuse if you find certain drug paraphernalia lying around their home or car. Some of the most common items associated with cocaine use include:

  • Small baggies, especially if they have remnants of white powder
  • Hollowed-out containers and faux objects like fake soda cans, which are used to store and hide drugs
  • Bongs or makeshift pipes, which are used to smoke crack cocaine
  • Rolled-up dollar bills, straws, or tubes used to snort powder cocaine
  • Credit cards and blades, which are used to line up powder cocaine
  • Needles, which may be a sign that a person is injecting cocaine
  • Lighters and miniature spoons
  • Excess cash, which may be used to buy drugs

4. Other Signs of Drug Abuse

You know your loved ones better than anyone, but it can be very hard to convince yourself that they’re using drugs or alcohol. Over time, you’ll likely notice a growing list of suspicious signs, including the following:

  • Items going missing, which could mean they are pawning or trading them for drugs
  • Withdrawing from work or school
  • Changes in mental and behavioral health, including depression or anxiety
  • Worsening mental conditions, like paranoia or delusions
  • Intense emotions and outbursts, including anger

Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction

If you think someone is using cocaine, the best thing you can do is gently introduce them to treatment options. Fortunately, today’s addiction treatment programs are more flexible and customized than ever before. At Zinnia Health, we go the extra mile to address the needs of the individual.

In our rehab programs, we offer a mix of inpatient and outpatient services that conform to each person’s unique challenges and goals. Our treatment centers are staffed with caring individuals prepared to help you:

  • Plan out a treatment program and path to recovery
  • Keep you motivated throughout the detox process and beyond
  • Help you through one-on-one, group, and family counseling
  • Support you with co-occurring disorders, like PTSD and depression
  • Provide extensive aftercare to keep you on track to your goals

If you’re ready to move forward with treatment, Zinnia Health can help. Just call (855) 430-9439 to reach our team any time, day or night, and get on the path to addiction recovery. 

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