An 8-ball of cocaine is a term for 3.5g of cocaine, which is 1/8 of an ounce. This illegal drug is usually sold in small, tightly wrapped packages or vials. People abuse cocaine by snorting, smoking, or injecting it.

Cocaine can create a buzz, but can also be dangerous. This illicit drug can cause serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and addiction.

Cocaine is very addictive, with people who use it often becoming dependent on it. They may need more and more cocaine to feel the same effects and might experience withdrawal symptoms and strong cravings when they try to stop.

Read on to learn more about cocaine abuse and addiction. You can also discover how to get effective cocaine addiction treatment [1] – all cocaine addictions are treatable.

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug known for its powerful effects. Although sometimes used medically as a local anesthetic, it is often used illegally. There are two main types of cocaine: cocaine hydrochloride and crack cocaine.

• Cocaine hydrochloride: This is the most common form. It looks like a white, crystalline powder and is usually snorted or injected. Powder cocaine is the hydrochloride salt form of the drug.

• Crack cocaine: Also called rock or crystal, crack [2] is made by turning powder cocaine into a smokable form. It gets its name from the crackling sound it makes when smoked. Crack usually looks like small rocks or crystals and has very intense effects.

What Is an 8 Ball of Coke?

8 ball is a common street term that refers to a specific amount of packaged cocaine. An 8 ball of coke contains 1/8 of 1 ounce of cocaine. This means the 8 ball of coke weight is 3.5g.

However, 8 balls can often be cut with cheaper ingredients like caffeine and even fentanyl which can be deadly. If you or a loved one are struggling with 8 ball cocaine addiction, it’s important to reach out to an addiction treatment center or trained counselor to get help. Fentanyl, especially in unknown amounts from street drugs, can easily cause deadly overdose and/or intense addiction.

How Much Is an 8 Ball of Coke?

An 8-ball is a term for 3.5 grams of cocaine, which is one-eighth of an ounce. The price of an 8-ball can range from $60 to $150, depending on where you are and who is selling it.

Buying an 8-ball gives those who use small amounts of the drug a set amount of cocaine that’s proportionally cheaper than buying it by the gram. For dealers, selling 8-balls makes it easier to re-sell and usually allows them to double the money they spent per gram.

However, buyers are often tricked by 8 balls having been cut with other substances like caffeine or fentanyl which can be deadly.

What Does a Gram of Cocaine Look Like?

A gram of cocaine is a small amount of white, powdery substance. It usually comes in a tiny plastic bag or a small, tightly wrapped package. The powder looks like fine, white crystals. 

What Does an Eight Ball of Coke Look Like?

An eight ball of cocaine is 3.5 grams of the drug. It is also a white, powdery substance often sold in a small, tightly wrapped package or a small plastic bag. It looks similar to a gram of cocaine but is a larger amount.

How Much Does an 8 Ball of Coke Cost?

An 8 ball of coke costs up to $150.

How Many Grams Are in an 8 Ball?

For those wondering how many grams in an 8 ball, there are 3.5g of cocaine in each 8 ball.

What Are Other Common Measurements of Cocaine?

People who buy cocaine for their use typically purchase grams or 8-balls. Those who sell the drug to others purchase ounces (28g) or kilos (1000g). The drug is also available in fractions of those weights.

Crack cocaine is sold in rock form. Each rock contains just 0.1g of cocaine. Crack is not typically sold in bulk as the drug is made from powdered cocaine. Those who sell crack buy powdered cocaine in bulk and use this to make crack. One kilo of powder cocaine can make 10,000 crack rocks.

Other Names for 8 Ball of Coke

An 8 ball of coke may be called an eighth, an eighty, a piece, or a snowball. All these terms can refer to an 8 ball of cocaine.

8 Ball of Cocaine: Side Effects

Using an 8 ball of cocaine can cause many side effects. These can include:

• Feeling very happy and excited

• Increased energy

• Fast heartbeat

• High blood pressure

• Feeling anxious or paranoid

5 Negative Effects of an 8 Ball of Cocaine

Some of the most negative effects of using an 8 ball of cocaine include:

• Addiction: Using cocaine can lead to needing more and more to feel the same effects.
• Heart problems: It can cause heart attacks or make your heart beat very fast.

• Mental health issues: Cocaine can make you feel very anxious, paranoid, or even depressed.

• Sleep problems: It can make it hard to sleep or cause insomnia.

• Weight loss: Using cocaine can reduce your appetite, leading to unhealthy weight loss.

Addiction Risk Factors

Certain factors can make someone more likely to get addicted to cocaine:

• Family history: If people in your family have had addiction problems, you might be more at risk [3].

• Mental health issues: Conditions like depression or anxiety can increase the risk of addiction.

• Peer pressure: Being around friends or people who use cocaine can make you more likely to try it.

• Stress: High levels of stress can lead some people to use drugs like cocaine to cope.

• Early use: Trying cocaine at a young age can make addiction more likely later on.

Understanding these risk factors can help you stay safe and avoid addiction. 

What Does a Cocaine Overdose Look Like?

A cocaine overdose can be dangerous. Here are some signs to watch for:

• Trouble breathing: The person may have difficulty breathing or might stop breathing.

• Fast heartbeat: The heart may beat very fast or unevenly.

• Chest pain: The person might have severe pain in their chest.

• Seizures: The person could have seizures or convulsions.

• Extreme agitation: The person may act anxious, confused, or aggressive.

• High temperature: The body temperature can get very high.

If you think someone is having a cocaine overdose, call 911 right away. 

Cocaine’s Interaction with Other Substances

Mixing cocaine with other substances can be dangerous. Here are some examples:

• Alcohol: Using cocaine and alcohol together can increase the risk of heart problems and make you feel more drunk and out of control.

• Other drugs: Combining cocaine with drugs like heroin or fentanyl can lead to severe health issues, including overdose.

• Prescription medications: Cocaine can interact badly with some prescription medications, making side effects worse or causing new problems.

Always avoid mixing cocaine with other substances to stay safer.

Chemical Makeup of Cocaine

Cocaine is made from coca plant leaves. The main chemical in cocaine is called benzoylmethylecgonine [4]. This chemical is what gives cocaine its strong effects.

Cocaine hydrochloride is made by mixing the coca plant chemicals with other substances to create a white, crystal-like powder.

Crack cocaine is made by cooking cocaine hydrochloride with baking soda and water. This makes solid chunks or rocks that people smoke.

Both forms of cocaine work by affecting the brain and central nervous system, leading to intense feelings of happiness and energy, but they also have many dangerous side effects.

How Cocaine Affects the Body & Brain

Cocaine has strong effects on both the body and the brain. Here’s how it works:

Brain effects

• Euphoria: Cocaine makes you feel happy and excited.

• Energy: It gives you a lot of energy and makes you feel very alert.

• Addiction: It changes the brain’s reward system [5], making you want to use it repeatedly. 

Body effects

• Heart: Cocaine can make your heart beat very fast and can cause heart attacks.

• Blood pressure: It raises your blood pressure, which can be dangerous.

• Temperature: Cocaine can make your body temperature go up.

• Muscles: It can make your muscles twitch or shake.

Using cocaine even once can be risky. It can cause serious health problems, and regular use can lead to addiction and other long-term issues.

Cocaine Addiction Stats & Facts

5.3 million U.S. adults used cocaine in 2022, according to NSDUH 2022 [5]. This is an increase from 4.7 million people the previous year. 2 million over-18s reported past-month use of cocaine in 2022.

Crack use is not as widespread with 900,000 people using the drug in 2022. 570,000 over-18s reported past-month use of crack cocaine.

Among these people using cocaine or crack, 1.4 million developed an addiction (stimulant use disorder)[6].

Although there are no medications approved to treat cocaine addiction, it’s highly treatable with the right combination of talk therapies and motivational therapies.

Treatment Options for Cocaine & 8 Ball Usage

If you or someone you know is using cocaine, including an 8 ball, there are ways to get help:

• Counseling: Talking to a therapist can help you understand why you use cocaine and how to stop using the drug.

• Support groups: Joining groups like NA (Narcotics Anonymous) [7] can give you support from others who are also trying to quit.

• Detox programs: These programs help your body get rid of cocaine safely. Doctors and nurses can help you manage withdrawal symptoms.

• Medication: Sometimes, doctors can give you medicine to help with cravings and withdrawal.

• Rehab centers: These centers provide a safe place to focus on recovery. They offer various therapies and support.

Inpatient vs Outpatient Treatment

When deciding on treatment, you can choose between inpatient and outpatient options.

Inpatient treatment:

• Living at the facility: You stay at the treatment center day and night.

• Intensive support: You get 24/7 help from doctors, nurses, and counselors.

• Structured environment: Your day is planned with therapy sessions, group activities, and rest times.

• Best for severe addiction: Inpatient care is good if you have a strong addiction or need a lot of support.

Outpatient treatment:

• Living at home: You live at home and visit the treatment center for your sessions.

• Flexible schedule: You can continue with school, work, or family responsibilities while getting treatment.

• Regular support: You still get regular help from therapists and support groups, but go home after each session.

• Best for mild to moderate addictions: Outpatient care works well if your addiction is not as severe or if you have a strong support system at home.

Choosing the right type of treatment can help you or your loved one recover from cocaine addiction. Always talk to a healthcare professional to find the best option for you.

Does Insurance Cover Cocaine Addiction Treatment?

Many insurance plans do cover cocaine addiction treatment. Here are some steps to find out:

• Check your policy: Look at your insurance policy to see what it covers for addiction treatment.

• Call your insurance company: Contact your insurance provider to ask about coverage for rehab, counseling, and detox programs.

• Ask the treatment center: When choosing a treatment center, ask if they accept your insurance and what costs might be covered.

How To Pick The Best Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center

Choosing the right treatment center can increase your chance of long-term recovery from cocaine addiction. Here are some tips to help you decide:

• Research: Look up different treatment centers online and read reviews from other people.

• Check services: Make sure the center offers the services you need, like detox, counseling, and support groups.

• Visit the center: If you can, visit the center to see if it feels comfortable and safe.

• Ask questions: Talk to the staff and ask about their programs, success rates, and what makes them special.

• Consider location: Think about whether you want a center close to home or further away for a fresh start.

Picking the right treatment center can make a big difference in your recovery journey. Make sure it feels right for you or your loved one.

Cocaine Addiction | FAQs

Is there medicine to help with cocaine addiction?

There is no specific medication for cocaine addiction, but doctors can use other treatments to help with cravings and withdrawal. Behavioral therapy and support groups are often very effective.

How can I prevent cocaine addiction?

Avoiding situations where cocaine is present and learning to say no can help prevent addiction. Having strong support from family and friends is also important.

What do I do If I can’t stop doing coke?

If you can’t stop using cocaine, seek help from a doctor or counselor. They can provide support and guide you to treatment programs to help you recover.

Get Treatment for Cocaine Addiction at Gratitude Lodge

If you need addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one, reach out to Gratitude Lodge in Southern California. Our pet-friendly rehab centers are in Newport Beach and Long Beach, California.

Medical detox at one of our rehabs by the beach offers medications and 24/7 care to streamline cocaine withdrawal. After about a week, you’ll move into an inpatient treatment program to tackle the psychological side of cocaine addiction.

All cocaine addictions are unique, so expect personalized treatments like:

• Talk therapies
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Counseling
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Holistic treatments
• Aftercare

Call our recovery specialists today at 844-576-0144.

Sources

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6795516/

[2] https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs3/3978/index.htm

[3] https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/genes/

[4] https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cocaine

[5] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain

[6] https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt42728/NSDUHDetailedTabs2022/NSDUHDetailedTabs2022/NSDUHDetTabsSect1pe2022.htm

[7] http://na.org/