Undoubtedly, cocaine has gained a glorified spotlight in today’s media—and English singer-songwriter Charli XCX is its movement’s leader. The 2024 album, Brat, received countless nominations and multiple awards taking a shape of its own in the cultural movement for party hedonism and drugs. The BRAT album is charged with cocaine allusions and restless partying that has given way to its normalization on TikTok and other social media platforms. As a generation, should we be bumpin’ that? 

Cocaine is a white, powdery, highly-addictive stimulant that causes life-long complications to the human body and mind, though it is also seen as a party drug for the elite and restless. 

This normalization is a dangerous road that we shouldn’t go down. From March 2020 to March 2021, 96,779 drug-related overdose deaths were reported. Two main metabolite enzymes can be identified in urine samples followed by cocaine consumption, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester. These can be detected for up to four days, depending on the dosage of the cocaine, individual’s metabolism and usage frequency. When combined with alcohol, the cleansing and removal of the substance from a person’s body takes much longer. 

Another staple in the party scene is a good Cosmopolitan if you’re Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City” or a gin martini from “Gossip Girl’s” Blair Waldorf. The combination of alcohol and cocaine are especially dangerous and not to be crossed. This is something that is not explicitly stated by these glamorous, New York-based shows and movies or their romanticization of a party-esque, lavish lifestyle. Though when reality hits, and we remember that we are not Blair or Carrie, we may be in for a rude awakening. Instead, we should respect our health, bodies, and mind by staying away from these harmful mixtures. 

The euphoria of a cocaine dose can be felt for up to 20 minutes when not orally ingested. Euphoria of the drug is temporary, so why not focus more on being present and the raw excitement of a moment? Besides, usage of the stimulant increases risks of HIV/AIDS, heart attack and stroke. Cocaine addiction can make a person anxious, paranoid and reckless with their dopamine levels craving a higher demand as their baseline for happiness is raised. This will only cause the brain to crave stronger, more frequent doses of the drug. Extended use of cocaine could cause life-threatening medical issues like infection and organ failure. 

Though Charli XCX’s Brat album may have painted an alluring picture for teenage youth, behind the dancing and flashing lights lies a grave and treacherous reality to be avoided with drug abstinence. Cocaine should not be seen as a party enhancer, but a fatal, highly-addictive substance. As a collective generation, it is irresponsible to give cocaine an online platform. Instead, we must spread awareness about the dangers of cocaine. The fantasy of euphoric parties and highs should not come at the expense of our health.