Crack cocaine, otherwise known as just crack, is the freebase form of cocaine (meaning that it has been converted from salt form to base form). It’s a potent and dangerous stimulant that comes as a white powder so that it can be smoked. Other names for crack include dice, candy, jelly beans, rocks, base, and cookies.
Crack is a dangerous stimulating drug. It produces immediate effects on an individual due to its ability to absorb rapidly from the lungs into the bloodstream and then travel quickly to the brain. Crack intensifies energy, speeds up mental processes, and increases attention. The effects of crack only last for about 5-10 minutes.
Why Do People Use and Abuse Crack Cocaine?
People use crack cocaine because it is inexpensive, fast acting, and extremely potent. A feeling of great euphoria is produced when crack is consumed, which gets many users hooked to achieve the same feeling regularly. Crack boosts the individual’s sense of self-confidence and self-importance, while also making them extremely energetic. People may also use crack to escape reality.
The Side Effects of Crack
- Physical effects: Crack produces many physical effects on an individual. These effects may include dilated pupils, rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, changes in eating patterns, nosebleeds, and twitching.
- Psychological effects: The psychological effects produced by the consumption of crack can be easier to detect among others since you know their typical behaviors. Watch out for aggression, paranoia, mood swings, hallucinations, neglecting personal obligations, relationship problems, or any other behavioral issues that are not typical of the person.
How Do You Become Addicted to Crack?
People may also keep using the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, paranoia, depression, stress, restlessness, or intense cravings for the drug. Withdrawal symptoms and tolerance go hand in hand; when you do not have the amount of the drug you need, you will experience withdrawal symptoms.
What are the Risks of Crack Abuse?
Many physical and psychological problems can develop and occur as a result of crack abuse. Short-term risks include cardiovascular problems, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, unusual behaviors, and seizures. Long-term effects include malnutrition, heart attacks, chronic depression and anxiety, persisting psychological problems, and damaged vessels.
Other risks of crack abuse include problems in individual’s personal lives. Crack abusers may engage in risky behaviors, increase their number of sexual partners, become more violent towards others, form unhealthy relationships and break healthy ones, break the law to receive crack, and even neglect their responsibilities.
Do You Have an Addiction to Crack?
You may have an addiction to crack if you notice that you are engaging in behaviors that are not typical of you. If you are looking for a crack addiction in loved ones, pay attention to their everyday habits and whether or not they are different from their usual habits.
The signs and symptoms of crack abuse can take on many different forms, from psychological signs to abnormalities in their personal life. You know yourself and your loved ones best, so take it upon yourself to encourage others to get help from medical professionals.
Treatment for Crack Cocaine Abuse or Addiction
- Detoxification: Crack abuse treatment usually starts by getting the individual to detox. This is an efficient way to gradually stop consumption of crack while avoiding harmful withdrawal symptoms. People are monitored by medical professionals during this process so that the most effective form of treatment is given.
- Outpatient programs: This form of treatment involves individuals not having to be admitted to a hospital or a facility. They may participate in group therapy, counseling sessions, personal development workshops, and more. These activities hold the individual accountable by encouraging them to stay on track.
- Inpatient programs: Being admitted to a treatment facility is an excellent way to improve the individual’s life all around. This decreases their chances of relapse by teaching them how to deal with drug cravings, how to maintain healthy relationships, and how to handle stress.
If you or a loved one is addicted to crack cocaine, call A Forever Recovery at our toll-free number. They have many different treatment options available to help people suffering from addiction achieve long-term sobriety. Call A Forever Recovery today to get you started on your journey to a healthy and sober lifestyle.