Cocaine Toolkit

Individuals and services are reporting more poly drug use involving cocaine than ever before. Cocaine was implicated in 41% of drug related deaths in Scotland in 2023. Data from the ADRS WAND (Wound care, Assessment of Injecting, Naloxone & Dried Blood Spot Testing) Initiative in NHS GG&C between April-March 2024/25 shows that the number of people injecting cocaine is higher than those injecting heroin (84% cocaine versus 51% heroin). Of those who report injecting heroin or cocaine, 50% also report the smoking of crack or freebase cocaine. With this comes an additional range of associated harms.

Unlike opioid substitution treatment (OST) for people using heroin, there is no replacement medication available for people using cocaine, although research is continuing to explore possible treatments. Psycho-social interventions remain the cornerstone of treatment.

This toolkit contains some basic principles which may be helpful to guide front line staff working with people at harm from cocaine use. The guidance is primarily written for staff working with people currently in treatment with OST for opiate dependence and using cocaine, but may also be relevant to individuals presenting with primary cocaine use.

The MyPsych – Cocaine toolkit (“App”) is intended as an educational and clinical reference resource. The App is intended for use by healthcare professionals (a) working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, legally known as Greater Glasgow Health Board (the “Board”), and/or (b) working for any health and social care partnership in the Board’s area. In addition, the App may be used by appropriately qualified or trained staff working within the wider healthcare and social care sectors in Scotland. Please see our full disclaimer.