An 8-ball, usually known as an “eight ball” is a measuring unit that is primarily used to weigh cocaine. Since cocaine is an illicit drug, it is referred to by various names at different places, one of them being 8-ball. It is believed that the use of this term dates back to the mid-1980s and it got mobilized as per the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
How Many Grams is in an 8-Ball?
Cocaine and other constituents of illegal drugs such as malt liquor and methamphetamine (meth) are commonly called an 8-ball. An eight ball simply means a particular dose of cocaine and other drugs that you would get from the seller. In definition, an 8 ball is the quantity that equals one-eighth of an ounce of cocaine. In other words, an 8-ball of cocaine is nearly 3.5 grams of the quantity of the drug.
Why Do People Take an 8-Ball of Cocaine?
Cocaine excites the nerve cells and it has the power to give a sudden feeling of happiness to anyone who has injected the drug into the body or consumed it otherwise. Cocaine stimulates the nervous system and results in a rapid rush of energy and pleasure within the body of an individual. It is for this reason that people often consume cocaine.
Cocaine is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant, which is known to be used as an anesthetic and as a stimulant. While snorting or injecting cocaine could affect your nervous system in a few minutes, smoking crack cocaine can show results within seconds and the person can feel euphoria quite quickly.
Although it is not good to consume an 8-ball of cocaine in a day, the reports show that people intake this much quantity per day. Usually, an 8-ball dose of cocaine is purchased by drug dealers to be brought into use during night-outs and parties. The more people consume an 8-ball of cocaine, the less likely it is to last. Also, it depends on the consumption capacity of the person.
How Much Does 8-Ball of Cocaine Cost?
As per the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), the estimated value of one gram of cocaine ranges between $96 to $160. Now that an 8-ball of cocaine contains 3.5 grams of the drug, the cost of an 8-ball of cocaine ends up being $336 to $560.
Factors that Affect Cocaine Prices
The cost of an 8-ball of cocaine may vary as per various factors. These are-
Purity of the Drug
Primarily, the price of an 8-ball of cocaine depends directly on the purity of the drug. The more pure the cocaine is, the higher will be its prices as even a small amount will cause an immense effect on you.
Drug Source
Many times, the cost of the drug depends on the source from where you are purchasing it. Different drug dealers have different prices for the same 8-ball of cocaine.
Location
The price of 8 balls of cocaine also fluctuates as per the location from where you are purchasing the drug. Different locations have varying prices for the drug. The difficulty in arranging the drugs at a particular place also results in increased prices of cocaine.
Other References of an 8 Ball
Not only is 8 ball referred for cocaine, but at times people also use 8 ball to buy other illicit drugs such as crystal meth, or Older English 800 (a brand of malt liquor). Saying 8 balls would mean that you will get 3.5 grams of any drug which is more than enough for a one-day consumption.
What are the Dangers of Intaking 8 Balls of Cocaine?
Cocaine is a harmful drug that can cause immense addiction in people. It can be consumed by injecting, smoking, or snorting. Since the drug causes a sudden stimulus to the human brain, it gives a feeling of instant euphoria and pleasure, but it has other side effects as well.
Consuming excessive cocaine or an 8-ball of cocaine per day can result in severe impacts on the body. It can cause a fast heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, high body temperature, decreased appetite, paranoia, irritability, poor decision-making, muscle twitches or tremors, and hallucinations.
For a person who has not consumed cocaine any time before in his life, or that can not withstand higher doses of the drug, intaking 8 balls of cocaine in a day can have toxic and deadly effects. It can result in chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and heart attack which can lead to death in extreme cases as well.
Health-hazards of Consuming Excessive Cocaine
An individual who consumes 8 balls of cocaine every day for a continued period can have chronic diseases which include- psychosis (loss of touch with reality), brain damage, changes in vision/vision loss, nasal damage, increased risk for bloodborne diseases (e.g. HIV, hepatitis C), respiratory distress, liver and lung damage, heart problems, mood problems, etc.
Intaking 8 balls of cocaine are dangerous and highly addictive. It can damage a person’s life once and for all. If the addiction continues to grow without any control over it, it can destroy the personal relationships, work life, and family of an individual. Thus, it is advised to consume cocaine in limited amounts.
How Can Cocaine Addiction Be Treated?
Cocaine addiction is primarily treated by detoxification of the body of an individual. If things remain out of control after that, a person is mostly sent to a rehabilitation center wherein the addiction is controlled step by step until it is finished.
CONCLUSION
Knowing that 8-ball cocaine has 3.5 grams of the drug, you must be aware of the fact that consuming such large amounts of cocaine in a day can cause health hazards. In severe cases, it can even lead to the death of a person.
Usually, cocaine in enough amounts is ordered for parties and huge gatherings, but some individuals who are addicted to the drug also snort, smoke, or inject 8 balls of cocaine a day which is toxic for their bodies and life.
