# So who does/did cocaine and why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 12, 2015, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778 "2015-09-12T05:26:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/61 "2015-09-13T14:35:02Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Most stimulants give a euphoric feeling, at least for me. Like I said, coke is a bit more intense, but the basic action of most stimulants/amphetamines is similar. Even caffeine can give a bit of that “euphoric + energetic” buzz, it just isn’t nearly as powerful. I didn’t compare it to opiates though so not sure why you are saying that. Opiate euphoria is definitely more of a warm and fuzzy “everything is gonna be _just fine_” feeling. And stimulant euphoria is more the “OMGIamAwesomeEverythingIsAwesome!” feeling. I’ve never gotten a real euphoric feeling from any other stimulant that was even in the ballpark of the kind cocaine gives. I mentioned opiates (which I’ve never done) because for me cocaine was a combination of the _‘everything is awesome’_ stimulant high but also with a very strong _‘everything is gonna be just fine’_ euphoric opiate high as well. All this gets at another important aspect of coke. It can and will effect different people in different ways. Some can take it or leave it, most will generally really enjoy it, but some cannot help but become slaves to it. I’ve known otherwise decent, totally normal people who found it 100% impossible to resist (and kind of ruined their lives to various degrees in the process). If you’ve never done it, the best thing is to stay that way. No matter how you measure it, it _will_ be a net sum loss… ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/62 "2015-09-13T19:29:28Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Levamisole is an anti-parasitic agent that was used for colon cancer for some time, until less toxic agents came along. Where did you hear that cocaine is cut with this? Around here, we’ve had issues with people stealing powdered baby formula, to cut coke or meth. [Link](http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/the-cash-is-in-the-cut) In 2005, levamisole was found in almost two percent of the cocaine seized by the DEA. In 2007, the frequency went up to 15 percent, and by 2011 a staggering 73 percent of all cocaine seized by the DEA had been cut with levamisole. The same tendency is seen in Europe and in the samples I have analysed myself. In 2008-2009, the frequency was around 66 percent, and in 2011-2012 it had gone up to 90 percent in Danish cocaine. The side effects from levamisole are not necessarily something the average user should worry about since their exposure is not on a daily basis. However, the more habitual consumer should definitely take it into consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Habeed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a587f6/32.png) [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/63 "2015-09-13T19:52:46Z")
I can’t deny the numbers, but I wonder why on earth drug dealers would go out of their way to obtain a poisonous and hard to find substance to cut their coke with. Powdered baby formula sounds like a decent choice to me, it must look right and it’s not going to kill anyone. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/64 "2015-09-13T20:17:22Z")
The brain’s reward system is what gives you that thrilling feeling when you’ve achieved a goal (solving a problem, scoring the winning touchdown, closing a big deal, whatever). This is one of the mechanisms that helps us learn. Cocaine works by juicing that reward system via dopamine, so you get that amazing feeling basically for free (well, for the cost of the coke and the effort of snorting the powder). That’s why cocaine use is such a powerful self-reinforcing behavior for some people. I only did it once, about 20 years ago. It left quite an impression. Even now I’ll occasionally dream that I’m running naked through a field in the summertime, and then it starts snowing… ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/65 "2015-09-13T20:34:49Z")
I never did cocaine because with my disability it is an order of magnitude more dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/66 "2015-09-13T21:03:16Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > I never did cocaine because with my disability it is an order of magnitude more dangerous. How is it more dangerous? Could you explain? ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/67 "2015-09-13T21:05:43Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > How is it more dangerous? Could you explain? Being Autistic I am prone to addictions – I am addicted to arguing online. If I had tried anything like cocaine I would have been addicted 100%. I had a few drinks, but since I live with my parents I did not become an alcoholic. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/68 "2015-09-13T21:15:57Z")
> [@](#): > > =CCitizen;18682880]Being Autistic I am prone to addictions – I am addicted to arguing online. If I had tried anything like cocaine I would have been addicted 100%. I had a few drinks, but since I live with my parents I did not become an alcoholic. Autism and addictive behavior are related? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that. Is it possible that you’re simply autistic _and_ prone to addictions? ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/69 "2015-09-13T21:23:01Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Autism and addictive behavior are related? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that. Is it possible that you’re simply autistic _and_ prone to addictions? My therapist told me that Asperger’s Syndrome makes addictive behavior much more likely. Having Depression further increases risk. Fortunately I have not tried any substances. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/70 "2015-09-13T22:10:27Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Autism and addictive behavior are related? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that. Is it possible that you’re simply autistic _and_ prone to addictions? I was aware that the rate of substance abuse among high-functioning autistic people is higher than that of the general population, but I thought it was due to self-medication, or that it gives them some semblance of a social life when other people may not accept them. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/71 "2015-09-13T23:54:28Z")
Or it could be that autism and ADHD are comorbid often enough, so perhaps it’s the ADHD side and not necessarily the autism but it also may not be mutually exclusive. It’s well recognized that substance abuse is higher in those with ADHD or had it as a kid. ---
**Author:** ![mage-girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@mage-girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mage-girl)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/72 "2015-09-14T00:27:42Z")
When he was working at a restaurant - not like a high-end restaurant, either - my brother was offered cocaine by a co-worker. His response? “Hell yeah!” When I asked him if he liked it, he said it was great, and he would do it again if he had the chance. I worry about him, but he’s cut off contact since I told him not to visit if he was on drugs or holding drugs… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![4d3fect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/4d3fect/32/9728_2.png) [@4d3fect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4d3fect)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778/73 "2015-09-14T03:45:56Z")
Well, from what I lived through (So Cal in the '70s and eighties) I can say the lyrics to “Life in the Fast Lane” are hackneyed , but certainly not fictitious. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-does-did-cocaine-and-why/730778.md?page=3)