Crack Information & Statistics
What is crack?
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.
Crack is a highly addictive drug. Some areas of the United States are still recovering from the epidemic-type struggles that developed with the selling and abuse of 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 this kind of addiction.
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 through the lungs. 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 drug addiction is developed more rapidly to crack due to the way it is introduced to the body through smoking it.
Why is crack addictive?
- 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.
- 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.
- Users can develop a quick tolerance to smoking crack, which requires them to smoke even more to experience the drug’s effect.
- Individuals will continue to abuse crack in pursuit of that initial euphoric feeling and spiral further into the struggles of dependency and withdrawal.
Street names for crack include:
- Crumbs
- Candy
- Rock
- Dice
- Hail
- Gravel
- Sleet
- Tornado
Signs & Symptoms of Crack Abuse
Symptoms that someone may be using crack include:
- Increased heart rate
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Insomnia
- Hypertension (raised blood pressure)
- Uncontrolled muscle tics
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.
Short-Term Effects of Crack Abuse
The short-term effects of crack include:
- Increase in Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
- Euphoric Sensation
- Sense of Energy
- Increased Breathing Rate
- Hyperactivity or Anxiety
- Decreased Appetite
High levels of the drug can increase risks of erratic behavior and psychosis, like anxiety or paranoia. Even the first-time use can lead to overdose, cardiac arrest or stroke. This can happen initially with first use, or even for a period afterwards
Short-term effects can lead to long-term problems, which can be very troublesome.
Long-Term Effects of Crack Abuse
The long-term effects of crack abuse include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Aggressiveness
- Hallucinations
- Sexual Problems/Dysfunction
- Loss of Life
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 this drug will continue to use even though they don’t want to just to avoid stimulant withdrawal. Excessive crack use can also lead to heart problems, respiratory failure, stroke, seizures and ultimately loss of life.
Crack Withdrawal Symptoms
When crack abuse is stopped, an addicted individual can experience withdrawal over a period of time.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- Intense Cravings
- Restlessness/Agitation
- Fatigue
- Increase Appetite
- High levels of depression
Unlike other drugs and alcohol, stimulant withdrawal most times does not manifest itself with physical symptoms (vomiting, hot/cold flashes, the shakes, hallucinations). One of the strongest of withdrawal symptoms is the intensified craving.
Crack is a stimulant and suppresses the appetite. When the drug is no longer in the system, adverse withdrawal begins to manifest with feelings of fatigue, relentless behaviors, onsets of depression and an increase of appetite.
Without proper help, crack addiction can be fatal. Overdose is a major risk with the abuse of crack . Although it is highly addictive, it is treatable. With the help of a drug rehab center or treatment service one can develop the skills needed to address cravings from this drug.
Crack Addiction Treatment
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 this substance. 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 treatment therapies.
If you or someone you care about is in need of drug rehab for crack addiction, we can help. We are regarded as one of the very best treatment facilities available. Treatment 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, we provide a co-occurring treatment program for those seeking help from crack use and mental health concerns. To discover more about this program, we encourage you to call us at 1-800-582-0709.
