Crack Addiction

Crack is a highly addictive drug. Some areas of the United States are still recovering from the epidemic-type struggles that developed with the abuse and addiction to Crack in past decades. Crack is a derivative of cocaine, a stimulant. Crack addiction is also treatable with effective programs and therapies. A proper drug rehab program can save lives when it comes to crack abuse and addiction. If you are seeking addiction treatment for crack cocaine, we encourage you to call The Cirque Lodge drug rehab at 1-877-997-3422. This page offers research on the use, abuse, addiction and the effects of crack cocaine. Also discussed is the need for treatment.

What is Crack?

Street Terms Used for Crack
Candy Crumbs Dice Gravel Hail	Hard Rock Rock Rocks Sleet Tornado

Crack is a derivative of the stimulant drug cocaine. It is created by the mixing of cocaine with water and either ammonia, or baking soda, which is boiled. The resulting compound when hardened is flaked of into a salt rock looking form. This form of cocaine was developed to reach more individuals as the purer forms of cocaine tend to be much more costly. In the 1980's after it was created the drug was readily available and very inexpensive to create.

How is Crack Used?

Crack is almost always smoked. When heated through a pipe, it becomes vapors that allows for large doses of the drug to be absorbed. This produces a very intense feeling of euphoria. Smoking or "freebasing" crack can lead to a nearly immediate high, which is one of the reasons why it is so addictive. Studies suggest that addiction is developed more rapidly to crack due to the way it is introduced to the body through smoking it.

Crack Use and Abuse

Short Term-Effects of Crack

Increase in Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Euphoric Sensation Sense of Energy Increased Breathing Rate Hyperactivity or Anxiety Decreased Appetite

When smoked, crack cocaine is absorbed into the soft linings of the lungs almost immediately. When the substance is introduced to the brain, it attaches to the dopamine receptors creating an intense sensation of pleasure. It is a stimulant which also creates within the individual a sense of more energy and heightened senses. Most stimulants are fast acting and crack is no different. The intense high can last all but 5-15 minutes, leaving the individual with a desire for more of the drug to match that initial rush.

Abuse of Crack

This can lead to abuse of the drug. Users can develop a quick tolerance to smoking crack, which requires them to smoke even more to experience the drug's effect. Sadly, this can lead to further health problems and addiction. Cocaine itself is a highly addictive drug and crack can be more addictive, due to the method of intake and the initial intensity of the high. Individuals will continue to abuse crack in pursuit of that initial euphoric feeling and spiral further into the struggles of dependency and withdrawal. Without proper treatment or drug rehab program, long-term effects from crack abuse can be quite damaging.

Crack Addiction and Treatment

Long Term Struggles of Crack

Depression Anxiety Paranoid Behavior Aggressiveness Hallucinations Sexual Problems/Dysfunction Loss of Life

Crack Addiction and long-term use can be very damaging. Cocaine and Crack can create severe alterations to the brain's chemical structure and also have long-term effects on the body. Use and Abuse of crack can force the individual to develop different disorders and problems, which can complicate the problem. This can lead to depression, anxiety disorders and psychosis, such as paranoia episodes. Behaviors can also develop in pursuing and using crack cocaine. Individuals will go to great lengths to obtain their drug of choice without regard to consequences.

With addiction to crack also come severe withdrawal effects when the drug is not in the system. This can include things like depression or being down, fatigue, intense anxiety, irritability and in some cases psychosis. Some abusers of crack will continue to use even though they don't want to just to avoid withdrawal. Abuse and Addiction to Crack can also long-term effects that can lead to heart problems, respiratory failure, Stroke, seizures and ultimately loss of life.

Treatment for Crack Addiction

A drug rehab program can become a life saving measure in addressing crack addiction and withdrawal. Treatment should consist of a broad dynamic of addiction programs to help the individual address the use and need for crack cocaine. Psychotherapies and behavioral therapies can help the individual in addressing the problems of using drugs, as well as life problems which could lead to using crack. Effective programs will also involve dual diagnosis and treatment for co-occurring problems with mental health concerns that can be developed with long term alcohol or drug abuse. Aspects of treatment offer a long term process for overcoming the impulses to use crack with programs for support and furthering addiction treatment therapies.

Drug Rehab Program for Addiction

If you or someone you care about is in need of a drug rehab program for crack addiction, Cirque Lodge can help. The Cirque Lodge in Sundance Utah is regarded as one of the very best addiction treatment facilities available. Treatment for crack addiction begins with the needs of the individual. Each client is treated on a case-by-case basis with therapies and care according to personal needs. As a dual diagnosis addiction treatment facility, Cirque Lodge provides a co-occurring treatment program for those seeking help for crack addiction and mental health concerns. To discover more about this program, we encourage you to call the Cirque Lodge at 1-877-99-REHAB.

Research on Drugs of Abuse:     
Cocaine Addiction
Heroin Addiction
Marijuana Addiction
Meth Addiction