Crack Cocaine Identification By Look And Smell

It is believed that crack cocaine made its first appearance in the United States in the early 1980s in California and Texas. Due to the drug’s highly addictive nature, it didn’t take long for the substance to begin spreading to the rest of the states.

Now, there are thousands of people who are hooked on crack cocaine because of the stimulant effect it has on the body. Because of this, it is important that anyone who is concerned they may have a loved one addicted to the drug knows the following information about crack cocaine identification.

How To Identify Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine can usually be identified because it looks like small, off-white rocks. Most addicted individuals keep it in a plastic bag or some other resealable container because they don’t want any of it to be wasted if it happens to be crushed. Usually, small pipes are kept with it so that it can be smoked.

What Crack Cocaine Looks Like

Understanding what crack cocaine looks like is a little confusing because most people think that it must look like the same powdery, white substance they have seen in the movies. In real life, crack cocaine has an off-white color.

Sometimes, it may even be beige or slightly pink. It just depends on its purity. Crack cocaine often has other substances mixed into it by drug dealers who are trying to increase the weight of their product so they can make a higher profit. The extra substances they add in may potentially change its color or texture.

What Crack Cocaine Smells Like

Those who want to know what crack cocaine smells like usually have concerns they may be living next to a meth house. That is because both methamphetamine and crack cocaine have strange chemical odors when they are burned.

Crack cocaine that is not cooked has a flowery scent. When crack cocaine is heated with fire, the substance’s smell changes to an odor that is similar to burning plastic.

Either way, it is best to always report strange odors like this to law enforcement officials because both drugs can cause severe health problems when they contaminate the environment.

Recognizing Different Types of Cocaine

There are two main types of cocaine to know about when learning crack cocaine identification. The first type is water-soluble cocaine. It has a bright white color, and it is finely powdered.

The second type is cocaine base, which is also referred to as “crack cocaine” because it makes a cracking sound when it gets heated. It cannot be easily dissolved in water. Water-soluble cocaine is injected into the bloodstream or snorted.

Base cocaine is smoked. Most people prefer water-soluble cocaine because it produces a longer-lasting high. The high from base cocaine only lasts about 15 minutes.

Identifying Crack Cocaine By Street Names

Cocaine is often called different names by addicted individuals because they are trying to hide their drug use from their family and friends.

Some of the most common names to know about include:

• Base
• Candy
• Nuggets
• Dice
• Rocks
• Snow
• Flake
• Sleet
• Blow
• Coke
• Coca
• Nose candy
• Gravel

What Does Crack Cocaine Paraphernalia Look Like?

Most people use some type of pipe that can withstand the heat of a flame being held underneath it to smoke crack cocaine. The pipes are often glass, but they can sometimes be made out of simple, tube-like objects.

The inside of the pipes will often have a small piece of shredded metal wool to hold the tiny rocks in place while they are being heated. The metal wool also helps ensure that the rocks get hot enough that smoke is released from them.

Crack cocaine that is in big pieces may have to be reduced in size, so it is common to find razor blades and a small mirror or other flat surface that is suitable for cutting. Plastic bags with white residue, aluminum foil, and lighters are also used to store or smoke cocaine.

Finding Treatment For Crack Cocaine

Finding treatment for crack cocaine is important because this substance causes serious damage to the body. Luckily, there are many addiction treatment centers across the United States that can help.

For more information on how to choose the right drug rehab center for your individual needs, feel free to contact one of our treatment specialists. It is important to mention that the drug paraphernalia used to smoke crack cocaine is illegal to have, especially if there is any drug residue left on the objects. To get help for anyone who may be abusing crack cocaine, contact us today.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff