Cocaine

Smoking 5: Inflamed air sacs

Smoking freebase or crack cocaine causes the air sacs of the lungs to become inflamed. White blood cells are released from the blood into the air sacs to help fight the inflammation. Smoking coke also causes a recurrent stabbing chest pain. Frequent users may walk a little stooped to ease the pain in their lungs. The inflammations can ultimately lead to chronic bronchitis.

There are several causes for the inflammations:

• The cocaine itself irritates the cells of the air sacs and the windpipe.
• Hot vapours or smoke are inhaled.
• Ammonia is sometimes used in making freebase or crack cocaine. This is harmful to the lungs.