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I Smoked Crack Cocaine From A Homeless Person%E2%80%99s Pipe Once.

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Posted on Sat, 5 Oct 2019
Question: i smoked crack cocaine from a homeless person%E2%80%99s pipe once. i am never doing it again. What are my risks? What should I do?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
NOT MUCH

Detailed Answer:
Cocaine's peak effect is under an hour. The risk of stroke or heart attack are then, and basically gone in 2 hours more. You cannot get HIV from inhaled, anything. It is only transmitted by LIVING blood. Lung effects are small, proportional to the exposure of the cigarette more than the crack and are not much from one exposure.
The ability to detect it in urine fades in 3 to 5 days. It probably could be detected in hair until the hair grows out. So, there is some risk of being positive if tested rigorously for very small exposures.
You might get a regular cold or flu from sharing spit with someone but that risk is within the week of doing it only .
Not much risk
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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I Smoked Crack Cocaine From A Homeless Person%E2%80%99s Pipe Once.

Brief Answer: NOT MUCH Detailed Answer: Cocaine's peak effect is under an hour. The risk of stroke or heart attack are then, and basically gone in 2 hours more. You cannot get HIV from inhaled, anything. It is only transmitted by LIVING blood. Lung effects are small, proportional to the exposure of the cigarette more than the crack and are not much from one exposure. The ability to detect it in urine fades in 3 to 5 days. It probably could be detected in hair until the hair grows out. So, there is some risk of being positive if tested rigorously for very small exposures. You might get a regular cold or flu from sharing spit with someone but that risk is within the week of doing it only . Not much risk