Cocaine is taken by sniffing, snorting, or injecting. When taken the drug is inhaled through the nose where it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal tissues. When the drug is injected the user takes a needle and releases the drug directly into the bloodstream. Crack is taken by smoking the drug. Smoking involves inhaling the crack vapor or smoke into the lungs where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This form of administration is as rapid as injecting cocaine.

Cocaine is a white powder that is commonly sold in aluminum foil, plastic or paper packets, or small vials. Users usually chop it into a fine powder with a razor blade creating rows of cocaine called "lines". It is then quickly inhaled using a short straw or rolled up bill. Crack is often smoked in pipes constructed of glass or bowls fitted with fine mesh screens. The user heats the side of the pipe and inhales the smoke.

Both cocaine and crack have high abuse potential, but it has been found that when the drugs are smoked extremely high doses of the drug reach the users brain very quickly. This brings a more intense and immediate high, meaning a user who smokes the drug is more likely to become addicted to it faster than those who do not use this method of administration.