The process known as cutting cocaine involves adding other substances to cocaine to act as fillers. This allows dealers to sell this mixture as cocaine and make more money. Cutting cocaine is a common practice of drug dealers, as it allows them to increase their bottom line. Those who purchase this modified cocaine, however, can end up sick or worse. The main problem with cutting cocaine is not knowing what has been added, and some of the additives are toxic, could cause an allergic or adverse reaction, or result in an overdose.
If you or a loved one wants to know more about the dangers of cocaine-cutting agents, our cocaine rehab centers can help. Call Vertava Health at 844.470.0410 today to learn more about our evidence-based treatment programs. Our team of experts can help you or a loved one understand the dangers of cocaine and provide the support necessary to break free from its damaging effects.
What Is Cocaine Cut With?
Another name for cutting agents is adulterants. There are several different types of adulterants, but they all serve the same purpose, so the dealers can make more money without the buyer realizing they have purchased cocaine with these additives. Some of these cutting agents include:
- Talc
- Laundry detergent
- Baking soda
- Laxatives
- Chalk
- Meat tenderizer
- Creatine
- Ascorbic acid
- Boric acid
- Quinine
- Plaster of Paris
- Lactose
Some adulterants act similarly to cocaine and are added to produce a similar high or numbing sensation. Some of the other stimulants and local anesthetic-cutting agents are:
- Amphetamine
- Strychnine
- Methylphenidate
- Caffeine
- Benzocaine
- Lidocaine
- Procaine
- Tetracaine
In certain circumstances, cocaine may be mixed with other illegal drugs to increase the effects of both drugs. The most common drugs added to cocaine include:
- Heroin
- LSD
- Hash
- Fentanyl
- PCP
There have been reports of specific medications being added to cocaine, although the reasoning is not well understood. These medications include Phenytoin (anti-convulsant), phenacetin (pain medication), and levamisole (parasitic worm treatment used in veterinary medicine).
The biggest concern regarding these cutting agents is the potential for adverse reactions or side effects of these adulterants. Most people purchasing cocaine are unaware of the cutting agent being used, which can result in serious consequences.
The Dangers Cocaine-Cutting Agents
Every adulterant that is mixed with cocaine is dangerous for a variety of reasons. Any substance that is snorted into the nasal passages or inhaled into the lungs can cause respiratory issues.
- Talc ingestion and Phenacetin have been linked to cancer. Laundry detergent can cause blockages in the liver, heart, and brain. Freebasing can cause burns in the throat and nasal passages from the ether in the mixture.
- Levamisole has been linked to agranulocytosis, which destroys white blood cells, increasing the risk for infection. Several people have gotten extremely sick, and fatalities have occurred with cocaine cut with levamisole.
- Levamisole and cocaine also seem to be linked to severe skin infections that cause extreme tissue damage, and in some cases, skin death has occurred.
- Cocaine cut with fentanyl can be fatal, especially if the person is unaware that the cocaine is cut with the highly potent opioid. Because fentanyl is fatal in extremely low doses, people who have a high tolerance for cocaine may ingest too much fentanyl and experience an opioid overdose.
Different cutting agents carry different risk factors, and none of them are safe. Continued cocaine use increases the risks and health problems associated with cocaine and toxic cutting agents.
It is nearly impossible for a person to find out what is in street cocaine when they purchase it. Using street drugs is quite similar to playing a game of Russian roulette.
Find Cocaine Treatment at Vertava Health
Vertava Health provides evidence-based treatment programs for cocaine addiction. Our team of experts understands the dangers associated with using and abusing cocaine, including the risks when it’s cut with adulterants. We can help you or a loved one understand the dangers of cocaine and provide the support necessary to break free from its damaging effects. Contact us today at 844.470.0410 to learn more about the dangers of cocaine-cutting agents.
