What is cocaine primarily composed of?

Cocaine is primarily composed of cocaine hydrochloride (cocaine HCl), which is the form most commonly encountered in illicit drug use. This crystalline powder is created by adding hydrochloric acid to the base form of cocaine, which enhances its solubility in water, facilitating both injection and snorting.

Cocaine hydrochloride is the standard form that shows up in drug trafficking and is the most widely studied in medical and scientific research. This is significant because the hydrochloride salt form is stable and can easily be measured for purity levels, making it prominent in discussions surrounding substance use and regulation.

The other forms mentioned have their own contexts and uses. For example, cocaine base refers to the freebase form of cocaine which can be smoked; cocaine sulfate and cocaine acetate are less common and do not typically exist in the context of drug discussions. Each form has distinct chemical properties and applications, but cocaine HCl is the primary compound associated with cocaine consumption and trafficking.