Bath salts. Spice. Tranq dope. The zombie drug. Over the years, the emergence of dangerous new street drugs like these has typically caused sensationalized headlines and at least a minor public outcry. But pink cocaine doesn’t seem to have gained the same attention as these other substances have. What is pink cocaine, and what dangers does it pose?
What Is Pink Cocaine?
Pink cocaine rarely contains cocaine. And its trademark color doesn’t occur naturally – it is the result of dye.
So, what is pink cocaine, then? Here are a few quick facts:
- Pink cocaine is a synthetic (lab-created) substance.
- It can contain a variety of ingredients, which we will discuss in greater detail a bit later in this post.
- Since there are no standards about the manufacture of pink cocaine, it can be virtually impossible to know for sure what the drug contains.
- The lack of manufacturing standards means that pink cocaine can also contain contaminants or adulterants that weren’t intentionally added.
Common Ingredients
Tests of random batches of pink cocaine in multiple locations have detected the following ingredients:
- Ketamine
- MDMD (molly or ecstasy)
- Amphetamine
- Methamphetamine
- Benzodiazepines
- Mescaline
- LSD
- Opioids
- Cocaine
- Caffeine
This doesn’t mean that all of these ingredients are likely to be found in a single batch of pink cocaine. Instead, it indicates the wide range of substances that a person could be ingesting when they use the drug.
According to a March 2023 article in the newspaper El Pais, one study that involved an analysis of 150 pink cocaine samples found that only two had traces of cocaine. The most common ingredients, which were detected in more than 40% of the samples, were ketamine, MDMA, and caffeine.
Pink cocaine is sometimes also called 2C-B or tucibi, which is a nod to a psychedelic substance named 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine. However, as with cocaine itself, 2C-B does not appear to be a common ingredient in pink cocaine.
How Dangerous Is Pink Cocaine?
In addition to “What is pink cocaine?” another common question about this drug is “How dangerous is it?”
There is little question that using this drug can expose a person to considerable harm. However, given the great variety of ingredients (and potential contaminants) that may be present in a pink cocaine sample, it would be virtually impossible to determine the exact degree of danger that the substance poses.
Short- and Long-Term Risks
What we do know is that pink cocaine’s more common ingredients can cause a range of problematic effects, including both short- and long-term damage.
For example, if someone regularly uses pink cocaine that primarily consists of ketamine or MDMA (ecstasy), they may experience problematic effects such as:
- Distorted perceptions
- Confusion and disorientation
- Inability fend of attacks or assaults
- Dehydration
- Memory problems
- Nausea
- Physical injuries due to impaired coordination and/or judgement
- Failure to recognize they are in pain
- Depression
Using pink cocaine that includes high levels of stimulants such as amphetamine, cocaine, or methamphetamine can cause outcomes such as:
- Racing heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Nausea
- Aggressiveness and recklessness
- Violent outbursts
- Sexual dysfunction
- Poor judgement
- Anxiety and irritability
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Addiction
Pink cocaine that contains opioids can lead to problems such as:
- Slowed heart rate
- Depressed respiration
- Confusion
- Impaired coordination
- Loss of consciousness
- Addiction
Benzodiazepines, which are sometimes present in batches of pink cocaine, have been linked with negative effects such as:
- Blurred vision
- Diminished cognition
- Poor coordination
- Mood swings
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Addiction
Dangerous Drug Interactions
Since a person can’t be sure what is in pink cocaine, there is no way to predict how the ingredients will interact with each other, or what will happen if they also drink alcohol or use other drugs.
For example, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has reported that opioid overdoses are responsible for about 220 deaths every day in the United States. NIDA also notes that when a person takes benzodiazepines in combination with opioids (as can occur in a pink cocaine sample), their risk of overdose death may increase.
Benzos and opioids both have sedative properties, which can suppress a person’s breathing and heart rate. While naloxone (Narcan) can reverse the effects of opioid overdose, it cannot counteract the effects of benzos. This means that someone who overdoses after combining the two drugs may not be able to be revived, even if they receive Narcan in a timely manner.
When a person also uses alcohol or other drugs along with pink cocaine (a behavior that’s known as polysubstance abuse), the likelihood of serious negative outcomes can increase substantially.
Can You Become Addicted to Pink Cocaine?
While you were reviewing the lists of harmful effects that pink cocaine’s ingredients can cause, you may have noticed that addiction shows up more than once. Amphetamine, methamphetamine, opioids, benzos, and cocaine are all addictive substances.
Your risk of becoming addicted to pink cocaine will depend on which of these substances are present in the drug you take. Your addiction risk can also be influenced by how often you use the drug, how much you typically use, and if you also regularly use any of these ingredients on their own.
In other words, an addiction to pink cocaine is likely to actually be an addiction to one of its ingredients. Since so many of them pose such a high risk of addiction, the danger of becoming dependent on pink cocaine may be much higher than you realize.
Find Help for Pink Cocaine Abuse in Nashville
Don’t let compulsive pink cocaine abuse continue to disrupt your life and threaten your health. When you get the professional care that aligns with your unique needs, you can end your substance abuse and build a more promising future for yourself in recovery.
Nashville Treatment Solutions offers a variety of customized outpatient programs for adults who have become addicted to pink cocaine or any of its ingredients. At our center in Nashville, Tennessee, you can receive personalized services and comprehensive support from a team of experienced professionals. With our help, you can start living the healthier life you deserve.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
