Cocaine

Introduction to Cocaine

Drug abuse is an alarming problem in the UK—cocaine drug misuse has become a massive issue. There's more of a need than ever to have a cocaine drug test that is complete and precise to help reduce the problem.

According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2021, approximately 11.3% of people aged 16 to 59 in England and Wales have used cocaine at least once in their lifetime. And, 2023 crime rate statistics from the government website stated a 4% increase in the number of seizures of cocaine in 2023.

In the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971, cocaine is classified as a Class A drug and penalised with a maximum of 7 years in prison along with an unlimited fine. For producing and distributing drugs, the maximum time in prison can be life along with a limitless fine.

Below, we'll look at cocaine misuse and how a drug test for cocaine can assist in identifying the drug.

Cocaine Street Names

Cocaine has many street names. Some of the most common are:

• Coke
• Snow
• Blow
• Powder
• Crack (smokable form of cocaine)

Any name other than cocaine hydrochloride is often linked to drug misuse.

 

Cocaine's Chemical Structure

Cocaine's chemical name is benzoylmethylecgonine, with the chemical structure classified as C17H21NO4. It's a tropane alkaloid acting as a central nervous system stimulant to produce feelings of euphoria, increased energy, heightened alertness, and irrational behaviour. It's also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, and cardiovascular issues.

A cocaine drug test is essential. At Attolife, we can assist legal, healthcare, and workplace professionals by providing accurate and reliable drug testing methods. Contact us today for more information.

Cocaine Use in Legal Scenarios

Cocaine drug testing is frequently requested in legal situations. Some of the most common legal scenarios include:

• Any legal case involving cocaine misuse
• Roadside accidents
• Domestic abuse
• Child protection cases
• Workplace incidents where cocaine impaired safety-reliant roles

False Positives and Interpretation of Cocaine Results

False positives for cocaine are rare but possible. They're more common in saliva test duirng screening presumptive method, which have around a 10% false positive rate. Common causes include:

• Topical anaesthetics can produce cocaine false positives.
• Some antibiotics (fluoroquinolones and rifampin)
• Antihistamines
• Mishandling or contamination of samples

Professionals should use other testing methods to confirm—like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)—if they suspect a false positive result.

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. Cocaine can pass through breast milk, exposing the baby to the drug and potentially causing serious health issues, including irritability, poor feeding, and developmental delays. Additionally, if a mother uses cocaine during pregnancy, the drug can cross the placenta, affecting fetal development and increasing the risk of complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and neonatal withdrawal symptoms.