Crack cocaine abuse users place these rocks into a glass pipe or on the tip of a cigarette, heat it up, and inhale the vapors. While the overwhelming majority of users smoke crack cocaine, some people also inject it. Although the drug is made from cocaine, the effects produced are far more intense.
Crack cocaine gets its name due to the cracking or popping noise the substance makes when it is heated. Alternate slang terms for crack include:
- Candy
- Cookies
- Sleet
- Hard
- Rocks
- Base
- Kryptonite
Crack cocaine is highly addictive, and individuals can become addicted to crack after just one or two doses. The drug’s rapid impact on the brain’s reward system creates a powerful compulsion to continue use, even after the very first experience.
Crack Cocaine Side Effects: When to Seek Crack Addiction Treatment
Once inhaled, the effects of crack are instantaneous. Users feel an intense rush of euphoria and energy. The high only lasts for 5-10 minutes. Since the high is so brief, many drug users will binge on crack by using it in high doses throughout the day for days or weeks on end. They do this to avoid a “crash.” However, this type of drug abuse can quickly lead to physical dependence. Once the body relies on the substance to function, a full-blown crack addiction can take hold, making it incredibly difficult to stop without professional support.
Effects produced by crack include:
- Heightened alertness
- Dilated pupils
- Hyperactivity
- Tension
- Increased heart rate
- Decreased appetite
- Euphoria
- Feelings of invincibility
- Increased confidence
Similar to many other substances of abuse, crack targets dopamine, a feel-good chemical in the brain, that is responsible for attention, behavior, memory, emotion, and reward. Crack leads to a buildup of dopamine in the brain, causing feelings of intense euphoria. However, when the high wears off, users will crash.
During a crash, crack users may feel:
- Irritable
- Drowsy
- Lethargic
- Hungry
- Cravings
This crash is what makes users engage in repetitive crack abuse to avoid the low. Over time, this cycle solidifies into a crack addiction, where withdrawal symptoms begin to surface almost as soon as the high fades.
Crack Cocaine Abuse
Cocaine can be expensive, especially if someone is using a lot of it. Crack, on the other hand, is a much cheaper alternative. As a result, it is often sought out by regular drug users who are seeking a faster, cheaper, and more intense high. This accessibility often accelerates the progression of crack abuse among those who may have previously used powdered cocaine
It is also extremely powerful. Whether it is smoked or injected, the drug enters the bloodstream all at once, within as little as 15 seconds. This rapid delivery creates an intense high that significantly increases the risk of a crack cocaine addiction and puts users at a higher risk of a life-threatening overdose.
According to the most recent Monitoring the Future Study from 2020, 0.9% of 8th graders and 1.6% of 12th graders reported using crack cocaine at some point in their lifetimes. Up to 0.1% and 0.4% reported crack use in the last month. While these numbers may seem small, they represent tens of thousands of American youth. And, considering how addictive and dangerous crack is, that is a major problem.
The same study also revealed that 4.1% of adults ages 26 and older had engaged in crack abuse at some point in their lifetime, with 0.2% reporting use within the last month.
No matter who abuses crack and why, the drug is highly addictive and can be habit-forming. Because the risk of dependency is so high, seeking specialized crack cocaine addiction treatment early is vital to preventing the long-term physical and social consequences of the disorder.
Symptoms of Crack Overdose
Crack cocaine, like cocaine in its powdered form, can lead to overdose. First-time crack users are at a particularly high risk of overdose as well as people with kidney problems or high blood pressure. Symptoms of crack overdose include:
- Convulsions
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Aggression
- Seizures
- Chest pain
- Hallucinations
- Rapid heart rate
- Hyperventilation
- Heart attack
- Coma
Fatal crack overdoses usually result in heart attacks, hyperventilation, or coma. While there is no stimulant overdose-reversal drug available on the market, overdose can be treated with careful monitoring and supportive care. However, medical stabilization is only the first step; addressing the underlying crack cocaine addiction is essential to prevent future life-threatening emergencies.
Crack Cocaine Addiction
Crack cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs out there. It is even more addictive than regular cocaine. As a result, addiction to this drug often develops rapidly.
Since the high produced by crack is so short-lived and enjoyable, many people come down and immediately feel as though they need more of the drug. This cycle often marks the beginning of a crack cocaine addiction, where the user begins to prioritize the drug over their health, family, and responsibilities.. Then, they may fall into a cycle of binging and crashing during which they are using crack simply to maintain functioning without going into withdrawal.
Symptoms of crack withdrawal include:
- Intense cravings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Agitation
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Sweating
- Vivid dreams
- Suicidal thoughts
- Intense drug cravings
Crack cocaine directly affects the production and reuptake of dopamine in the brain. Chronic crack abuse makes the brain and body dependent on excess dopamine, eventually rendering it unable to produce these feel-good chemicals naturally without the presence of the drug. Withdrawal symptoms are the result of the body trying to regain balance once crack leaves the system. Navigating this difficult phase is a primary focus of professional crack addiction treatment, as clinical supervision can significantly reduce discomfort and minimize the risk of early relapse.
Crack cocaine cravings are particularly challenging, making it difficult for people to quit. Those battling a crack addiction often ignore the negative consequences of their drug use, act out in illegal or illicit behaviors, and go to any lengths possible to maintain their habit
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Long-Term Side Effects
People who are addicted to crack may experience a wide range of difficulties that impact every aspect of their lives. From struggling to maintain employment and personal relationships to facing severe health declines, the consequences of long-term use can be devastating. Crack cocaine addiction may also encourage illegal activities that users face consequences for.
Addiction to any type of drug can make a person’s health deteriorate. Because of how it alters brain chemistry, a long-term crack cocaine addiction can cause severe mental, emotional, and cognitive decline, requiring a comprehensive approach to restore wellness.
Long term mental and emotional side effects of cocaine abuse include:
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Disorientation
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
People who abuse crack may also see their physical health decline. Some long-term physical effects of cocaine include:
- Kidney or liver damage
- Lung damage
- Malnutrition
- Heart disease
- Infertility
- Early death
The best way to prevent these long-term effects is to abstain from crack entirely. Enrolling in a dedicated crack addiction treatment program is the most effective way to achieve this goal, as it provides the medical and psychological support needed to stop the cycle of use and begin the healing process
Treatment for Crack Cocaine Abuse
The journey to overcoming a crack addiction is treated with the same clinical rigor as any other stimulant use disorder. First, patients will go through a medically supervised detox to ensure safety and comfort as the substance leaves their system. Then, they will transition to an inpatient rehab program where a multitude of therapies are applied, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Contingency management (CM)
- Community support (12-Step programs)
- Therapeutic communities (sober living, residential care)
There are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for stimulants, but a specialized crack cocaine addiction treatment plan involving counseling, behavioral therapy, and peer support can help teach patients how to live sober and put a life of drug abuse behind them
We understand that getting help for addiction can be challenging. Start with a free addiction assessment today.
Contact Elevate Recovery to Learn More About Crack Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts
At Elevate Recovery, we understand the challenges of overcoming crack addiction and are here to provide compassionate, effective care to help you rebuild your life. Our crack addiction treatment programs in Massachusetts offer personalized support and evidence-based therapies to guide you toward lasting recovery. Don’t wait to take the first step toward freedom and healing. Contact us today at (877) 592-2102 to learn more about our programs and start your journey to a healthier, brighter future.