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Street Names for Cocaine: Understanding the Slang

Medically reviewed by Dr. Po-Chang HsuDecember 9, 2024
Written by
On December 9, 2024

Table of Contents

Key Points

  • Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug derived from the coca plant in South America.
  • Most cocaine use comes from illicit sources, which have street names, slang terms, and nicknames like coke, blow, and snow.
  • The slang for cocaine may change often as drug dealers try to skirt law enforcement and people try to conceal their drug use.
  • Cocaine abuse and addiction can have devastating effects, so it’s crucial to understand the terms to identify possible drug use.

Cocaine is a powerful, illegal drug that’s been around for decades. It’s derived from the South American coca plant, which was used by local communities to combat fatigue for thousands of years. In the 1900s, the cocaine hydrochloride chemical was extracted for medical and legal recreational uses.[1] Now, cocaine is primarily used illicitly or in extremely limited medical circumstances.

The long history of cocaine has led to it having a long list of street names and slang terms associated with the drug itself or its use. New terms are frequently introduced as drug dealers try to elude law enforcement. It’s important to understand the terminology to identify possible cocaine use.

Street Names for Cocaine

Street names for cocaine are often based on the appearance of the drug. Standard cocaine comes in white powder, though certain additives can alter the color and texture. The street names include: 

  • Blow
  • Bump
  • Coke
  • Crack
  • Big C
  • Flake
  • Dust
  • Line
  • Nose candy
  • Pearl
  • Rail
  • Snow
  • Speedball
  • Sneeze
  • Sniff
  • Toot
  • White Rock

 

Crack cocaine, a free base form of the powder version that’s created using a simple conversion process, is also frequently abused. This form has rock crystals that can be smoked, which is a cheaper and more accessible way to use cocaine and get a powerful high. Additional street names are referring specifically to crack, including:

  • Black Rock
  • Candy
  • Chemical
  • Cookies
  • Dice
  • Gravel
  • Grit
  • Hail
  • Hard rock
  • Jelly beans
  • Nuggets
  • Purple caps
  • Rocks
  • Scrabble
  • Sleet
  • Snow coke
  • Tornado

Slang Terms for Cocaine Combinations

Cocaine and crack cocaine are sometimes mixed with other substances to intensify or alter the effects of either drug or lessen the negative symptoms of cocaine use. Common substances mixed with cocaine are heroin, marijuana, ecstasy, methamphetamine, LSD, and PCP. These have their nicknames, including: 

  • Cocoa puffs
  • Flamethrowers
  • Boy-girl
  • Candy flipping
  • Speedball
  • Spaceball
  • Woo-woo
  • Woolies

Why Should I Know Street Names for Cocaine?

Becoming familiar with the street names and slang terms around illicit drugs is important to identify potential drug use by your loved ones, especially children. If you know the terminology, you can pick up on conversations surrounding drug use to intervene.

Cocaine Use and Side Effects

Cocaine is consumed by snorting, injecting, or smoking crack, which can produce an intense, short-lived euphoria. Some of the short-term side effects of cocaine use include:[2] 

  • Euphoria
  • Alertness
  • High energy
  • Increased confidence
  • Dilated pupils
  • Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
  • Decreased appetite
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia

 

Some of the risks of cocaine use include:[3]

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Seizures
  • Respiratory failure
  • Aggressive or violent behavior
  • Overdose, which can be fatal

Is Cocaine Addictive?

Yes, cocaine is highly addictive. The drug affects the reward center of the brain, leading to feel-good hormones that encourage repeated use by creating a cycle of craving and compulsive use.[4] Even casual cocaine use builds tolerance, eventually building dependence on the drug. While this isn’t addiction on its own, stopping cocaine if you’re dependent on it can cause withdrawal, making it difficult to stop without help.

Effects of Chronic Cocaine Use

Long-term cocaine use can lead to severe physical, psychological, and social consequences. The consequences of cocaine use can include:[5] 

  • Cardiovascular issues like hypertension, arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes
  • Respiratory problems like chronic cough and lung damage
  • Nasal damage like nosebleeds, loss of the sense of smell, and nasal septum perforation with snorting
  • Weight loss and malnutrition
  • Seizures and neurological damage
  • There can be devastating psychological effects with cocaine as well, including:
  • Chronic paranoia and hallucinations
  • Severe anxiety and depression
  • Cognitive decline and memory problems
  • Increased risk of developing psychosis
  • Emotional instability and aggressive behavior
  • Financial problems
  • Strained relationships and social isolation
  • Legal issues
  • Loss of employment

Cocaine Abuse and Addiction

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), cocaine addiction is considered a stimulant use disorder. The criteria for a stimulant use disorder include:[6] 

  • Taking cocaine in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended
  • Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control cocaine use
  • Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of cocaine
  • Experiencing cravings for cocaine
  • Failing to fulfill major obligations because of cocaine use
  • Continuing to use cocaine despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems
  • Giving up hobbies and activities because of cocaine use
  • Using cocaine in dangerous situations
  • Continuing cocaine use despite physical or psychological problems

Treating Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is often seen as a harmless party drug, but it’s extremely addictive, so it can be difficult to break the cycle and overcome addiction. Cocaine withdrawal isn’t usually dangerous, but it can have intense withdrawal with uncomfortable symptoms that may cause you to relapse to relieve them. 

Medical detox is often recommended as the start of addiction treatment. You’ll have a medical team to monitor your health, administer medications, and prevent dangerous complications to keep you safe and comfortable.

Detox provides a strong foundation for addiction treatment, but it’s not enough on its own. After detox, it’s best to enter an addiction treatment program that addresses the social, emotional, and psychological aspects of addiction. In inpatient and outpatient settings, treatment may include a combination of individual and group therapy, support groups, holistic therapies, and behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy to learn healthier behaviors.

Know Your Cocaine Street Terms

Cocaine is a dangerous stimulant that’s abused recreationally, leading to addiction. It’s important to know the street names, slang terms, and nicknames for cocaine and crack to recognize possible drug use in your loved ones and help them seek treatment.
Medical Content Writer

Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cocaine Street Names

There are many street names for cocaine, but some of the most common are blow, coca, coke, crack, crank, flake, rock, and snow.
Some common Spanish nicknames for cocaine include perico, monos, Cabello, yeyo, basuco, coca, and polvo blanco.

Small amounts of cocaine are called “bumps,” which are commonly snorted off keys or long fingernails. Larger amounts of cocaine are arranged into straight lines to be snorted through a straw or rolled-up bill.

Cocaine is the white powder form of the dried leaves of the coca plant, while crack cocaine is the rock crystal form that’s made by cooking cocaine powder and baking soda, then breaking it into small pieces called rocks.

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[1] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024b, September 27). Cocaine. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cocaine on 2024, December 2.

[2,3,4,5] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024b, September 27). Cocaine. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cocaine on 2024, December 2.

[6] Stimulant use disorder. PsychDB. (2024d, July 25). Retrieved from https://www.psychdb.com/addictions/stimulants/1-use-disorder on 2024, December 2.

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