Popular Street Names and Slang for Cocaine

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a highly potent stimulant drug that can lead to addiction after only a few uses. If you are worried that your loved one is abusing cocaine, you might be wondering how to tell for sure. One of the easiest ways to spot cocaine abuse is by listening to their conversations with their friends.

While they probably won’t talk about cocaine use outright, they will use slang terms or street names to refer to cocaine use. For example, you might hear your loved one talking about “white girl” or “yayo.” These are code names for cocaine.

If you find out that your loved one is abusing cocaine, it’s time to seek professional help. At First Step, we can provide your loved one with the tools and support they need to achieve long-term recovery.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is cocaine?
• What are the slang terms for cocaine?
• What are the street names for crack cocaine?
• What are the nicknames for cocaine mixed with other drugs? 
• What drug paraphernalia is associated with cocaine abuse?
• What are the other signs of cocaine abuse?

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerful and addictive illegal drug. It is extracted from the coca plant, which is native to South America. Historically, natives would chew coca leaves or brew them into a tea. However, in the mid-1900s, the first pure form of cocaine hydrochloride was extracted, and it was used both medicinally and recreationally for several decades.

Cocaine was criminalized in 1914 after healthcare professionals saw the alarming effects of cocaine abuse. Today, it is a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States, meaning it has a high potential for abuse but can be administered by a doctor for medical purposes, such as local anesthesia.

Cocaine usually comes in the form of a fine white powder. Powdered cocaine is typically snorted. However, a cheaper form of cocaine known as crack cocaine comes in the form of rock-like crystals that are smoked or injected. Smoking crack cocaine is just as addictive as snorting the powdered form of it.

Despite its short-term effects of euphoria, increased energy, and heightened alertness, cocaine is highly addictive and can have serious long-term consequences on physical and mental health. Prolonged use can lead to tolerance, dependence, cardiovascular issues, neurological problems, and psychiatric disorders. Additionally, cocaine use is associated with various social and legal consequences, including financial problems, strained relationships, and legal troubles.

What are the Effects of Cocaine?

Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant that produces intense, short-lived effects on both the mind and body. Its effects can vary depending on the method of use, dosage, frequency, and individual tolerance. These effects are often split into short-term and long-term categories.

Short-Term Effects

When used, cocaine causes a rapid onset of euphoria and heightened alertness. Common short-term effects include:

• Intense euphoria and a feeling of well-being
• Increased energy and talkativeness
• Heightened mental alertness
• Decreased appetite
• Dilated pupils
• Rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure
• Increased body temperature
• Hypersensitivity to sound, sight, and touch

These effects typically last from a few minutes to about an hour, depending on the method of use (e.g., snorting, smoking, or injecting).

Long-Term Effects

With repeated use, cocaine can cause severe physical and psychological harm. Long-term effects may include:

• Addiction and dependence – Cocaine is highly addictive, and users often develop a strong psychological craving.
• Cardiovascular issues – Increased risk of heart attack, arrhythmia, and stroke.
• Neurological damage – Seizures, headaches, and cognitive decline.
• Mental health disorders – Anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, depression, and psychosis.
• Respiratory problems – Particularly in those who smoke crack cocaine.
• Nasal and sinus damage – From snorting, leading to chronic nosebleeds and loss of smell.
• Gastrointestinal complications – Reduced blood flow to the intestines, resulting in ulceration or perforation.
• Risky behavior and legal consequences – Impaired judgment may lead to accidents, violence, or incarceration.

Withdrawal Symptoms

When a person stops using cocaine, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, depression, increased appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, and intense cravings. Unlike some other drugs, cocaine withdrawal doesn’t typically involve visible physical symptoms, but the psychological effects can be severe and long-lasting.

Street Names for Cocaine

Drug dealers and users may use slang terms or nicknames when referring to cocaine. Using slang terms can help them feel more discreet. Common street names for cocaine include:

• Apache
• Aunt or Aunt Nora
• Batman or Bazulco, Hubba
• Bernice, Bernie, Bernie’s flakes or Bernie’s Gold Dust
• Big bloke
• Big C
• Big flake
• Big rush
• Birdie Powder
• Blonde
• Blow
• Bouncing Powder
• Bolivian Marching Powder
• Bump
• C or Big C
• C dust
• C game
• Candy
• Coke
• Crack
• Dust
• Fish Scale
• Flake
• Florida Snow
• Girl
• Line
• Love Affair
• Mexican Percocet
• Nose Candy
• Pearl
• Rail
• Scottie
• She
• Sneeze
• Sniff
• Snow
• Speedball
• Stash
• Star
• Stardust
• Toot
• White Girl
• White Rock
• Zip

Knowing the street names for cocaine can help you determine if your loved one is suffering from cocaine addiction.

Crack Cocaine Street Names

Crack cocaine is a form of cocaine derived from powder. Baking soda is mixed with powdered cocaine to create a rock-like substance. This is why crack is referred to as “crack rocks.”

Common slang terms for crack cocaine include:

• Black rock
• Candy
• Chemical
• Cookies
• Dice
• Gravel
• Grit
• Hail
• Hard rock
• Ice Cubes
• Jelly beans
• Nuggets
• Purple caps
• RIP
• Scrabble
• Sleet
• Snow coke
• Tornado
• Blotter
• Bopper
• Trey
• Yam
• Yay

Nicknames for Cocaine Mixed with Other Drugs

While many of the slang terms for cocaine and crack cocaine are based on the drug’s appearance, effects, or pop culture, there are also nicknames used to refer to specific drug combinations involving cocaine. These include:

• Cocaine mixed with PCP – Space, Spaceball, Whack, Scottie, or Space Dust
• Cocaine and heroin – Speedball, Belushi, Beach, H&C, He-She, Snowball
• Cocaine mixed with marijuana – Candy Sticks, Bazooka
• Cocaine and meth – Croak
• Cocaine and fentanyl – Dirty Fentanyl, Takeover
• Cocaine mixed with tobacco – Coolie, Geek-Joint, Primos, Woo Blunt
• Cocaine mixed with heroin, meth, benzos, and alcohol – Five way
• Cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy) – Bumping up
• Cocaine mixed with LSD and MDMA – Candy Flipping
• Cocaine mixed with heroin and tobacco – Flamethrowers

Common Street Names for Cocaine: International

Different countries may have their own unique slang terms and street names for drugs. Some common Spanish nicknames for cocaine include:

• Basuco
• Coca
• Cabello
• Yeyo
• Monos
• Polvo Blanco
• Perico

Drug Paraphernalia Associated With Cocaine Use

If you suspect a friend or family member is struggling with cocaine addiction, it’s helpful to not only learn the slang terms or nicknames they may use but also the types of drug paraphernalia they may have in their possession.

Some of the most common items associated with cocaine abuse are:

• Small baggies with white powder residue
• Rolled-up dollar bills, short straws, or other short tubes used for insufflation (snorting)
• Credit cards or razor blades, which are used to chop and line up cocaine
• Needles and syringes (if injecting)
• Lighters
• Small glass pipes or tubes
• Small mirror or tray with white powder residue on it

Other Signs of Cocaine Drug Abuse

Other signs of cocaine abuse include:

• Dilated pupils
• Increased energy and talkativeness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Elevated blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Restlessness or agitation
• Paranoia or hallucinations
• Financial problems
• Secretive behavior
• Track marks or injection sites
• Nosebleeds or runny nose (from snorting)
• Mood swings or irritability
• Decreased performance at work or school
• Neglecting responsibilities or relationships
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using

Find a Reputable Cocaine Addiction Treatment and Behavioral Health Center

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and is ready to begin the journey toward addiction recovery, please contact First Step Behavioral Health today. Our rehab program can help you find freedom from cocaine. To learn more about our cocaine addiction treatment programs or to get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment, please contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why are there so many slang names and street terms for cocaine and crack cocaine?

Slang terms or street names for cocaine serve as coded language often used by drug dealers, users, and traffickers to disguise drug use in conversation or on social media. These slang names for cocaine—such as nose candy, snow coke, cocoa puffs, and space dust cocaine—help conceal illegal activity and are influenced by the drug’s appearance, method of use, and popular culture. As cocaine continues to circulate in various forms (like powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and cocaine mixed with other substances), new terms are added to the growing list of street names.

2. How can parents, educators, or professionals stay informed about current cocaine slang and substance use trends?

With evolving slang terms and nicknames for cocaine, those in behavioral health and education must remain updated. Trusted resources include:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• Local mental health services, school counselors, and law enforcement bulletins
• Online databases and community outreach programs focusing on substance use
  

By monitoring known street names and staying alert to slang for cocaine mixed with other drugs, stakeholders can better identify early signs of drug abuse.

3. What are the dangers of cocaine mixed with other substances like heroin, marijuana, or meth?

Combining cocaine with many substances (referred to as polysubstance use) can result in dangerous and unpredictable outcomes. For example:

• Speedball cocaine (cocaine and heroin) increases the risk of overdose
• Croak cocaine (cocaine and meth) can trigger severe mental and behavioral health crises
• Cocaine mixed with marijuana (candy sticks) or LSD (candy flipping) can amplify euphoric effects and impair judgment
• Crack cocaine mixed with fentanyl has been linked to sudden deaths, even after a single dose
  

Using cocaine-based combinations, especially with addictive substances, can damage the brain, heart, and nervous system while increasing dependency.

4. Can someone become addicted to cocaine quickly, even after recreational use?

Absolutely. Whether from snorting powdered cocaine, smoking crack, or injecting the pure chemical form of cocaine hydrochloride, users can experience an intense high after even one use. The drug, derived from the coca plant native to South America, is a highly addictive stimulant. Cocaine addiction can develop rapidly due to its impact on dopamine regulation in the brain, especially with repeated exposure to the white powder form or hard rock variants.

5. How long can cocaine be detected in your body after use?

Cocaine use leaves traces in the body that depend on how the drug was taken, the frequency of substance use, and the person’s metabolism. Here are general detection windows:

• Blood tests: up to 2 days
• Urine tests: 2–4 days (longer for chronic users)
• Hair samples: up to 90 days
  

This applies to both cocaine powder and crack cocaine, as well as cocaine mixed with other chemicals like baking soda (used to create crack).

6. What should I do if I suspect someone is using cocaine or other substances?

If you find makeshift pipes, white residue, or signs of a runny nose and erratic behavior, it could suggest drug abuse involving powdered form or smoking crack cocaine.

In such cases:

• Approach the person with compassion, not judgment
• Discuss concerns about their behavioral health and safety
• Encourage seeking treatment from a licensed professional or mental health services provider
• Contact addiction hotlines or a local addiction treatment center for immediate support
  

For low-income individuals or those without insurance, many community-based programs offer treatment options focused on long-term sobriety and mental and behavioral health recovery.