a. What kind of drug is cocaine? Cocaine is a very powerful stimulant.

b. Is it true that I can have a heart attack if I use cocaine? Yes, individuals that take cocaine are at risk for a heart attack even after one use. This is true for persons of all ages, even young individuals and those in good health. Cocaine causes a tremendous amount of strain on the heart and can lead to aorta rupture and cell death. The drug also raises the blood pressure and heart rate and constricts the coronary arteries that bring blood to the heart, all which can lead to a heart attack.

A study found in the Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, suggested that persons who use cocaine increase their chances of having a heart attack by 24 times, one hour after using cocaine. This is an astounding figure and speaks to the danger of using this drug.

c. What is a speedball? A speedball is a mixture of cocaine and heroin. It is incredibly dangerous and has caused many users to die. Jim Belushi, an American actor, musician and comedian, died after taking a speedball.

d. What should I do if I or my friends overdose? Always go to a hospital or call 911 if you think someone has overdosed on cocaine, or any drug for that matter. If you plan on using cocaine (which we do not recommend) have a "sitter" or someone around that can call for emergency help or get you to a hospital if you run into problems.

e. Cocaine is physically addicting right? No, contrary to popular belief, cocaine is not physically addicting. If you were to stop using it your body would not go through withdrawal. However, here is the rub, cocaine is very psychologically addicting. Many people abuse it and have a hard time giving it up. This is not because their body continues to compel them to take cocaine but because they feel like they can't live their life happily without it for whatever reason.

This is what it known as a psychological addiction.  This form of addiction is extremely powerful and comparable to a physical addiction in its ability to keep someone entrapped to drug use.

f. Will I mess up the inside of my nose if I snort cocaine? Yes, ongoing use of cocaine can cause damage to your nose if you snort it. Snorting cocaine on a regular basis or abusing the drug can cause sores in the mucus membranes and eventually a hole in the septum. The septum may even collapse.

g. What is the difference between cocaine and crack? Crack is freebased cocaine. It is a processed form of the drug that comes as a rock crystal.  It is heated up and users get high off from the smoke.

h. How is cocaine abuse/addiction treated?  The most common form of treatment for cocaine addiction is cognitive behavioral therapy. Individuals, along with a trained counselor, work to come up with strategies that will help them make better choices concerning cocaine use, in hopes of avoiding future relapse.  It has been pretty effective. No drugs are currently given to help those with a cocaine abuse problem stop using.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/cocaine.html

i. Is it ok to take cocaine and drink alcohol? No, this is a very dangerous combination. Both of these are psychoactive drugs that can multiply the dangers of each drug. Thus, increase the known risks associated with both. The liver also creates Cocaethylene when the two substances are taken together. This can result in a more intense euphoric experience which some might view as good but it also increases the likelihood of sudden death. I'm sure most people would see the latter as very, very bad.

j. Can cocaine be smoked? Yes, cocaine can be smoked.  

k. Is it dangerous to ingest cocaine? Yes, there are serious risks associated with ingesting cocaine. Bowel gangrene can develop due to a decrease in blood flow.

l. What is the most common reason people die from a cocaine overdose? When a person overdoses on cocaine and dies, they mostly succumb to a heart attack, stroke, seizure and respiratory failure.

m. What are some common street names for cocaine? Blow, coke, nose candy, wicky stick, perico and snowball are all common street names for cocaine. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/cocaine.html#3