Crack
What Is Crack?
Crack—also known as crack cocaine—is a highly addictive stimulant derived from powdered cocaine. Crack cocaine is created when cocaine is mixed with water and ammonia or baking soda, then boiled until the mixture solidifies. The substance is usually distributed in the form of a rock, which is a broken-off chunk of the solidified substance. Most often, crack cocaine is smoked, though it can also be injected.
Any amount of crack cocaine use is considered abuse because it is an illicit substance. If you or a loved one are struggling with crack cocaine addiction, it is important to be aware of the risks of use, and how to seek treatment.
Side Effects of Crack
When high on crack, users will experience sensations such as an intense rush of euphoria, increased alertness, increased heart rate, and decreased appetite. The fleeting high can also be accompanied by a slew of negative feelings and side effects. These side effects may include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Aggression
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Headache
- Convulsions, seizures, or sudden death from overdose
Dangers of Crack Abuse
Cocaine in itself is already highly addictive— but crack cocaine is even more so. The effects of smoking crack cocaine are immediate and intense, but short-lived. This fleeting high, in combination with the drug’s drastic comedown, quickly produces a desire to use more and more of the substance. This creates a high potential for overdose.
Crack cocaine has a number of harmful side effects, both short-term and long-term. In addition to typical detrimental effects of cocaine, such as increased body temperature, constricted blood vessels, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and risk of cardiac arrest and seizure, crack cocaine users may also experience acute respiratory issues, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and trauma to the lungs.
Crack Addiction Treatment
If you are considering seeking crack addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one, rest assured that help is widely available and recovery is possible. If you have questions or concerns, call us today. We at Rehab Carolinas are experienced in substance abuse and addiction and are here to help.